Issue No. 11 - May 20, 2011 - Whitefriars

Belong. Believe. Become.
The White Mantle
Religious Education Corner
Mr John Abrahams
Assistant Principal (Identity and Mission)
A Conversation… Nurturing the Spirituality of our Young People.
Late last term, I was fortunate to be present with a number of Year twelve students from Whitefriars and other neighbouring
colleges, at the Yarra Deanery forum discussion on Spirituality. This event was organised by Parish Priest, Fr Bill Gill and
Deanery Resource Coordinator, Mr Charles Balnaves. The afternoon provided an opportunity to be engaged in an enjoyable
conversation with Rose Marie Prosser as we all discussed the importance and meaning of Spirituality and the nurturing
amongst our young people.
What follows is the first of a two part ‘conversation’ Rosie Marie Prosser conducted, addressing the Spirituality of the young.
Part two of this conversation will appear in next week’s newsletter.
The name “Whitefriars”
refers to the mantle
worn over the habit of
the Carmelite priests
and brothers.
The Carmelites are
known as “White Friars”
because of their dress –
a white mantle worn
over a brown habit.
The white mantle is
linked with the Prophet
Elijah who wore a
similar garb, probably
of sheepskin.
The early hermits of
Mount Carmel adopted
this white mantle as a
symbol of their
devotion to Mary, the
mother of our Lord.
Parker J Palmer (sociologist and educator and author of `The Courage To Teach') says that spirituality is '.....the guest for
connectedness with something larger and more trustworthy than our egos- with our own souls, with one another,
with the worlds of history and nature, with the invisible winds of the spirit, with the mystery of being alive: Rose Marie
believes that spirituality is about attending to the Mystery of the everyday moment; It requires reflection. We may even
need to learn or teach reflection.
Spirituality needs nurturing, calling out. It's about becoming aware of how we want to `be' in life. It can be nurtured by
a sense of awe, by thankfulness and gratitude. Rose Marie believes that we can support young people by affirming
their interest in social justice, in the environment, in doing things "or others affirming young people in life-giving other
-centred activities”. This of course all demands interpersonal relationships -connectedness with our young people.
• How do we connect with our young people
• How do we give them our time
• How can we offer encouragement, affirmation, guidance
• How do we delight in them
Michael Carr-Gregg says that young people's survival is about connectedness. Young people with nurtured spirituality
and connectedness do better.
Three things that will nurture the soul are:
• A soul mate with whom we can share our deepest feelings
• To hear stories of other people and our tradition and,
• Prayer, the dialogue with the heart, pondering life's issues while holding the tensions.
These are all about connectedness - relationships.
• As adults can we be humble enough to be able to say that its what we do not only say, that connects with and
allows connection for our young people
• Do we give time to them, listening, encouraging, affirming
• How do we help them to stay connected with the family while still spreading their wings
Perhaps we could use driving time when we have them alone, going to bed time, job helping time, when they come
in the door from school time, at the dinner table...
• Do we know what it is that we do or say to them that says "I love you, you are loveable and good"
• Do we know their `love language' Each person may have a different one.
• Do we encourage and allow friends home
• Do we help them to get to where they need to go to connect with their friends
In living with, working with, being with young people and
their spirituality, their resilience, their zest for life, we help
them to become aware of their enjoyment,
'What did you enjoy about the......’ We can help them to
be aware of and own their strengths - their God-given gifts -
we can feed back to them.’
Page 3 Issue 11 20 May, 2011