News and Events
NET Ministries Visits the Battlefords
NORTH BATTLEFORD
By Jean Pawlus
On February 8 & 9, the National Evangelization Team (N.E.T.), a group of young people in their late teens and early twenties, visited John Paul II Collegiate and St. Mary Community School with the aim to bring other young people into an awareness of Jesus in their daily lives and encourage commitment to positive life influences and choices. They share their own life journeys and experiences.
The first morning, the team interacted with approximately 165 grade ten students. After a few warm-up and ice-breaker activities, the students participated in a game called “Camouflage”. An “Empress” and her “Slave dealers” led the students through various experiences of being bought, sold and traded. Discussion followed with students being asked to reflect on their reactions and feelings in the various roles, which led to talking of ways in which their choices could lead to being influenced and influencing others in both positive and negative ways.
The session concluded with a time of prayer after which students were spread throughout the gym with time for reflection on the morning's presentation.
The team was pleased with the rally type session as there were a large number of students who responded and participated
The following day, some very animated grades 4 to 7 students at St. Mary's Community School were divided into male and female discussion groups. One of the guidelines was to show respect for both team members and participants. As students became distracted, leaders very easily called them back to the premise of respect. Once re-grouped, there was singing, testimony by a team member, and a break for lunch supplied by the school.
The afternoon held a group game, small group sessions and testimonials by team members about their own life journeys, from times of faith activity to drifting from the call of Jesus with the day ending with time to reflect. The team emphasised the influence of family, peers and teachers and making their own decision to accept the responsibility for their own life that had wandered away from living a healthy spiritual life and the courage and patience required to gradually return to one's own truth and calling.
Students were asked to find a personal quiet space within the gym, respecting the space of others. One of the team members reminded them, "If you don't feel like praying right now, that's quite okay. We ask you to please respect the quiet for the sake of those who do and may be moved to share some very intense time with the Lord
Several students approached a prayer table to pick up a bible or a rosary. Team members were available for help with prayer.