MENNAISIAN CAMP
17 years ago, “Arca de Noé”, the Summer Camp, became a space for the Youth of Huatusco, a place of Magic, animated by Lay people and Mennaisian Brothers so that young people could live Educational and Recreational Experiences to develop their Qualities, to face challenges and build relationships with their Peers and Animators.
“Arca de Noé” was a time of Blessing where children are Welcomed, Protected, Cared for and Placed at the Centre, where the young, a little older, become their Guardian Angels.
This year, before Easter, a New Training Experience for young Animators was offered for the First Time. The Director, Carlos Martínez, started this Itinerary called “Mennaisian Camp”: it would be a Training adapted to the Culture of young people, to present the Traits of the Mennaisian Identity in Depth, the basis of the Interest and Passion of the Mennaisians to organize every Summer a space for the Little Ones of Huatusco.
From November 1st to 3rd, 13 young people participated freely in a Second Part of Training entitled “Going to the Border, building Links and becoming an Alternative” – Traits well known to those who are already following in theootsteps of Jean-Marie de la Mennais.
During those days, the young people prepared their own Meals. Moments of Conviviality and Various Activities encouraged Personal Reflection, the Internalization of Moments of Sharing, Games and Times of Prayer.
At the end of the Training, Families came to participate with their children in the Celebration. They were invited to build Bonds within their Family, opening their Hearts to the Father in the Chapel of the John Paul II Centre.
We thank God our Father, because in these lands of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Dialogue between the Mennaisian Charism and Mexican Culture is recreated and becomes a Source of Life for New Generations and Families.
Let us continue to sow the Kingdom of God in Mennaisian Family mode.
MENNAISIAN FRATERNITY EXPERIENCE
A New Experience of Brotherhood has begun in Huatusco. A Group of Young People, close to the Activities organized by the Mennaisians in Huatusco and the surrounding area, have taken time to meet among themselves, with the Brothers and with LAMs to experience what animates the Life and Heart of the Mennaisians.
Connections with Brothers and young people in Bolivia and Indonesia were possible online!
The Participants of this New Fraternity Experience collaborated on Friday in the Meeting of the Youngest Mennaisian Group: Mennaisian Youth Movement (MJM). Then, they helped the Students of CEBA (Basic Study Centre for Adults, which took place at the John Paul II Centre). Then the preparation of the Meal, followed by a Moment of Prayer and some Games were Strong Occasions of the Joy of Sharing what we have and what we are to others.
On Saturday Morning, the young people participated in the Mennaisian Youth Volunteering (VJM) Project. This Project allows you to experience one of the Mennaisian Keys: Going to the Border. Very close to Huatusco, there are Small Rural Towns surrounded by Beautiful Vegetation. The young people were well received in all these Towns that shared the best they had: the Children and the Local Food!
Young people led Games and Art Activities. Others repaired and painted Swings and other Park Games that had been set up for a Group of Canadian Youth a few years ago. Back at the John Paul II Centre, they revisited the experience.
In the afternoon, LAMs arrived to share their Testimony about the Life of the Brothers with the young people and participate in the preparation of dinner.
On Sunday, the Group attended Mass at the Sisters of Carmel. Then Lunch at home and preparation of the Room for the Meeting of the Mennaisian Family.
During these three days, the Brothers shared the Meaning of their Life, specifying the Figure of the Religious Brother, a Vocation still New for many people in the City of Huatusco.
Testimonies shared by Martha de la Cruz, Huatusco