The Spirit's FY/YA Stations of the Cross

• The Spirit's FY/YA join in Stations of the Cross for an RCIA class.
• ** The youth from our emerging Franciscan Youth Group - calling themselves the Spirit's FY/YA- shared their own reflections with the RCIA class of OLQP Catholic church in Hainesport, NJ on the Stations of the cross. Some exerpts from these reflections -
• Natalie, age 16, Station II, Jesus Accepts His Cross - Natalie drew a beautiful picture of a cross with many little crosses and renderings of people bearing their own cross, i.e. poverty, hunger, disease, violence, abuse, abandonment,.... Natalie has had to bear her own cross having had a devastating illness that required a kidney transplant one year ago.
• Devin - age 9, Station XI - Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross - Devin had trouble writing what he wanted to share but asked that as the reflection was read that a large nail be hit with a big hammer so people could "feel" the nail. He said that every time he lies to his mom, or disobeys his dad or argues with his sister, he "feels" that nail in Jesus hands and feet.
• Liliya - age 17, Station XII, Jesus Dies On The Cross - Liliya wrote a reflection of "looking into His eyes as He looks in mine and both seeing Love". Liliya is a young woman the oldest of triplets from Bulgaria adopted at age 10 who has known what it means to want to look in someone's eyes and see love. Her adoption into a loving family has allowed her to experience that love and give that love.
• The rest of the stations were shared by the RCIA team members and RCIA catechumens and candidates through pictures and song and personal reflection.

What a joy to have the youth help us in this most precious meditation.