Tapestry of Faith: Heeding the Call: A Program on Justicemaking for Junior High School Youth

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Newsprint, markers and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post.

Description of Activity

Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants. Invite everyone to reflect on the word "peace." If there are new people present, ask youth to go around the circle and say their names. Ask if anyone would like to share anything noted in their Justicemakers Guide since the last meeting. Light the chalice, or invite a participant to do so, and recruit a volunteer to read the chalice lighting words:

We light our chalice today using the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."

Ask the group to be silent for a moment as they reflect on the words. End the silence with "So be it," or other appropriate words.

Tell the group that today's theme is peace. Ask for volunteers to share what they think peace has to do with justice. Ask if anyone has heard the phrase "No Justice! No Peace!" and what they think it means?