Villagers' thirst hits home with fasting students

Youth ministry's Think Fast creates an awareness of the injustice of poverty

Water Monster (Stephen Lachance) denies water to thirsty villagers.

By AL MELLA
Special to the WCR
Edmonton

Give him none, give him none!" said the Water Monster, as it denied the village any water.

Stephen Lachance, a Grade 11 student, enjoyed acting as the Water Monster, in a traditional and creative story reflecting on the issue of water. Stephen was one of 22 youth from St Theresa's Parish who took part in Think Fast March 3-4.

25-hour fast

The Grade 7 to 12 students had fun participating in several activities in the midst of a 25-hour fast put on by the youth ministry for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

Lyndsey Ferguson, youth ministry coordinator, said, "The event gives them the opportunity to experience fasting and learn about issues of poverty and social injustice."

This year's theme is Thirsting for Justice, which focused on the issue of water.

The St. Theresa's Parish youth raised $750 this year. Development and Peace hopes to raise $10 million in its annual Share Lent campaign.

Julio Garcia, a Development and Peace volunteer, said "The aim of the campaign is to raise the level of public awareness about the importance of standing in solidarity with struggling communities in the global South.

Garcia further underscored the need for a fairer distribution of the world's water resources and an end to privatization of water resources that shut out marginalized communities in the global South.

"People in Canada use the majority of clean water for luxurious things, like flushing the toilets, showers and carwashes," said Jasmine Pushak, a Grade 8 student from Holy Family School.

"When I think about water being privatized in countries where water is already scarce, I feel ashamed. Fasting for 25 hours helps me to achieve solidarity with the people who are suffering."

"To experience being hungry and sacrifice for others who have none," was how Grade 9 student Rachel Speiss described her reason for fasting. A cousin who had fun at a previous Think Fast influenced Speiss, who recovered from cancer two years ago, to attend.

This was the second Think Fast for 21-year-old youth leader Gerard Haughian. The event helped him grow in faith by serving the youth ministry.

"I enjoyed my first Think Fast as a kid and I just wanted to give something back. I learned about Development and Peace when I was first involved," Haughian said. "This is an opportunity to learn and reflect on the problems facing the poor."

The highlight of the event was when youth joined the congregation for the Mass in which they actively participated as ushers, eucharistic ministers, choir members and in the Offertory. Father Martin Carroll thanked them for their great effort and money raised.

The funds raised are used to support the work of partners in the South and educational work in Canada.

Consumer awareness

For example, a Development and Peace release says, "Maria learned how to be a well-informed consumer through the Centre for Consumer Defence (CDC), in El Salvador, a Development and Peace partner.

"Protecting people's rights as consumers is a big thing in a country where poverty abounds and education is not always available to all. This is why CDC's work is so essential, especially for those with very low incomes who are most vulnerable to exploitation."

Launched by Canada's bishops in 1967, Development and Peace is the official Catholic overseas development organization. It has raised over $460 million to support 13,600 community based projects and emergency relief operations in over 70 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter