An Open letter to all "Jesus Youths"

This is my reply to a discussion at JYMACE (Jesus Youth, MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, Kochi, India) yahoogroups. I attach my reply first and the mail of Chanchal which provoked it. It is basically a general question and an open challenge to all Jesus Youths.

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My Response
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Hi All,

I thought, I should reply to this mail (now bit old though).

What I havent seen in JY (better call Jesus Youth, according to Chanchal) regarding "long term commitment" is that Jesus Youths opting for the real "long term commitment" - ie, vocation into priestly and religious life. I worked with Jesus Youth after dedicating myself to Jesus through CMI congregation in the first place. I have seen so many zealous JYs after that (my friends and colleagues). But I havent seen any of them taking the real challenge of committing themselves through priestly or religious vocation. I always thought why? JY is supposed to be the biggest Catholic movement in Kerala/India. But how much/many JY has contributed to the ministerial work of Church? A BIG question to be answered? At some point I doubted JY has become a distraction to the vocations to ministerial priesthood and religious life, by over-emphasizing laity role in evangelization and even sometimes keeping a distance from the local Church authorities for the "development" of Jesus Youth itself. From my experience, I know one thing, there is no substitute for ministerial priesthood and religious life in the life of the Church. But I dont know whether I am fully right/wrong regarding my comments on JY (I know JY is now starting a new priestly ministry and hope this new emphasis on "long-term commitment" is not simply directed at it :). An introspection is always good.

I would encourage all young men and women in Jesus Youth to look into this challenge. If you really feel that you are called to a life-long and complete commitment, please seriously consider the prospect of a religious or priestly life in a religious congregation, in a diocese or in a society. Church needs more priests and nuns. Jesus needs more priests and nuns. God bless.

With love,

Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI

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Chanchal's mail
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Hello George,

Let me be straight. So you have got new insights about Catholic Faith and Life time commitment etc.I have a friend who was a fulltimer some years back in the north east of India, who now believes that what he did then was just an act of impulse. He lives in his own ways now. As you are aware of, this is not a single case, you can find a very large number of such cases.

Are you sure you will not end up like that, when this feel good feeling is all over?

A qn to all: How can we ensure each of us will not end up like that. Just for thought..

Chanchal

My WYD Dream!

go to HOME

I've submitted a proposal for a WYD Virtual Community in Internet to Bishop Anthony Fisher, the Chair of WYD 08 Sydney, last Monday 16th July on the feast of Mount Carmel. I haven't received any response yet. It's dead, I presume. But the dream is very powerful and much needed for the Church, I believe. But many a time, Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. I believe that the HS works also through Church Authorities. So, I leave it for the time being... Let Him decide. But here is my one page proposal:
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Project Proposal
WYD Internet Virtual Community

What
• An Internet virtual community like www.orkut.com (of Google) or www.tagged.com for WYD.
• Half a million plus young adults who register for WYD will constitute the primary members of the proposed virtual community.
• The members can login to the community from WYD website http://www.wyd2008.org.
• The community can be opened to the public and expects exponential growth in membership by capitalizing on the primary members’ commitment and the millions of hits received by WYD website.
• Will be the first Catholic virtual community in the Net and Church will control its content.

Why
• Global database for priestly/religious vocations. The best of Catholic young adults who have the zeal to participate in WYD is given a platform to come together to form a community. Since Church controls the content of the community, different dioceses and religious groups can advertise, expose their spirituality and track down young adults who have potential priestly/religious vocation.
• The fun way of preparation for WYD. The members of the virtual community can get to know each other, communicate with each other, share their views, organize travel and accommodation and plan a lot of surprises (Eg: meet someone who became a friend through the virtual community, during WYD) before the actual event.
• WYD committee can make use of the community for orientation/faith formation of WYD participants through its discussion forums, internal community/group formation etc.
• Will be the most effective follow up program of WYD. This community will carry the spirit and its members to the following WYDs.

How
• Will develop the required software, deal with all networking issues and will launch the community in the WYD website within 90 days of the commencement of the project.
• A group of 5 software engineering graduates who have successfully completed a similar industry project is ready and willing to take part in this project under my guidance.

Fr Jaison Paul Mulerikkal CMI
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Priory
Middle Park, VIC 3206
0433 893593 (mob)
jaisonmpaul@gmail.com