What's in Youth CaFE

Session 1 ‘Is anyone out there?’ (GOD)

• God exists
• God loves us.
• God satisfies our deepest needs, in a way the world can’t.
• The Catholic faith is relevant to our lives today.
• It’s ok to ask questions about faith and the Church.
• Positive presentation of the call to priesthood.
• Freedom comes from responding to God’s call on our lives.

Session 2 ‘The man was God’ (JESUS)

• There’s more to faith than Church attendance.
• Jesus is relevant for teenagers today, he can become our best friend.
• Jesus was human, he can relate to our humanity.
• Jesus was (and is) God. The proofs of this are: his signs and wonders; his resurrection; Christians dieing for their belief in him; the affect he still has on society and individuals today.
• If we recognise Jesus is God, we have to listen to him.

Session 3 ‘Born to die’ (RECONCILIATION)

• God isn’t only for ‘nice people’, but for those who’ve made mistakes.
• Sin prevents us from knowing or experiencing God.
• Jesus’ death on the cross is a sign of God’ loves for us.
• Jesus died to set us free from our sin: the sacrament of reconciliation is where that becomes real, and where we can experience God’s forgiveness and healing. God is bigger than our biggest sin.
• Jesus rose from the dead. The proofs of this are: eye-witness accounts; we can experience Jesus risen in our own lives.
• Jesus’ rising shows there is life after death.

Session 4 ‘Get plugged in’ (CONFIRMATION)

• The Holy Spirit gives guidance; companionship; courage.
• The Holy Spirit, constantly present, reminds us of God’s love.
• The Holy Spirit can deal with our inclination to sin, and enable us to change.
• The Holy Spirit has the power to change society.
• Confirmation is a celebration of the Holy Spirit in our lives; an opportunity for God to become more active in our lives; a chance to stand up for what we believe in.
• Faith can be fun.
• God is relevant to every part of our lives.
• God is with us in our suffering.

Session 5 ‘Soul Food’ (EUCHARIST)

• At Mass we receive food for our souls: communion and community.
• We can’t be Christians in isolation.
• The more we participate in Mass, the more it will make sense.
• Jesus is fully present in the bread after consecration.
• God is a God of love.
• Being a Christian is a daily event, an important part of our lives.
• We don’t have to go with the way of the world.

Session 6 ‘Alive and kicking’ (DISCIPLESHIP)

• Being Catholic is revolutionary, it’s about not following the herd.
• God is with us in the difficulties of following him.
• We need to be prepared to talk about our faith.
• Sex is not as it is portrayed by the media, it is sacred and chastity is a life giving reality.
• Prayer and the support of other Christians, are key to resisting peer pressure and temptation.
• We need to be pro-active about making a difference in our world.
• We can trust God’s plans for us, and we can find our vocation.
• We can do all things through God’s power working within us.