The youth are the future of the Church and of the nation. Therefore it is essential that our Catholic youth are trained to know their faith and to deepen their spiritual and prayer life and to evangelise others. Our vocation as Christians lies in being holy (i.e. united with God and keeping his commandments) and in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that people may convert and be saved and live with God forever. This constitution should assist young people to live their Christian life properly. As we face the problem of HIV/AIDS, let us form strong cells of youth that will protect our youth bodily and spiritually.
+ Pius. A. Ncube
Archbishop of Bulawayo
08 March 2006
DEFINITION
The Catholic Youth Association (hereinafter referred to as the CYA) shall be the umbrella body of all Catholic Youth, organised in groups, associations and movements as well as the unorganised Catholic young people within the Archdiocese of Bulawayo.
The Association is standing on two feet,
NAME
The name of the organisation shall be known as CATHOLIC YOUTH ASSOCIATION, in short CYA.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Shall be to bring together youth with the serious endeavour to promote their own spiritual, social, moral and intellectual welfare.
The Catholic Youth Association (CYA) is the Archdiocesan Umbrella Organisation responsible for all youth programmes and their coordination. All youth associations and groups, within the archdiocese, shall be affiliated and registered with the Catholic Youth Association. New associations can only be introduced into the Archdiocese with explicit permission of the Archbishop. Each association/group shall begin from grassroots level, i.e. at parish/mission and at school/college. The various youth associations/ youth groups, at parish level, shall form a Parish Youth Council. Parishes, in one region or area, shall come together to form Deaneries. The Deaneries shall come together to form Archdiocesan Youth Council. All youth groups which do not belong to another recognised council shall be known as Catholic Youth Association (CYA). This includes youth groups in the small Christian communities (sections) where they exist.
The Parish Youth Council brings together the different youth groups in a parish/mission to promote a deep sense of oneness among the young people and the Parish Community. Each youth association/movement/youth group, within the parish, shall be represented in the Parish Youth Council. The Parish Youth Council will send a representative to the Parish Council to represent the interests of the young people in the whole parish. Each Parish or Mission Youth Council (PYC/MYC) shall elect two representatives to the Deanery Youth Council (DYC).
Each deanery shall have a structure to provide a communication link between all the youth groups of that region. A deanery shall be made up of a number of parishes coming together. Each deanery shall encourage participation in events such as spiritual, apostolic and social on a regional level in order that each parish can identify with its wider community.
Each Deanery Youth Council shall ensure the formation of young people by encouraging them to participate in Human Development Courses, Retreats and any such programmes, organised by the Archdiocesan Youth Office, which will provide confidence in youth, so that they willingly become active participants in the Church and Local community in which they live.
The AYC shall plan and organise archdiocesan youth activities in consultation with the deanery councils.
The AYC shall act as an enabler, serving parishes/missions so that the local level may establish ongoing, comprehensive youth ministries.
The AYC shall make known to the Youth Office the real needs of the youth in the Archdiocese.
The AYC shall work closely with the Archdiocesan Youth Office in planning, implementing and evaluating of youth programmes.
SUB-COMMITTEES, for specific tasks/projects, shall be formed as deemed necessary.
The AYC shall have three meetings, annually, one of which will be the A.G.M.
The Youth Co-ordinator is obliged to research and establish the most urgent needs of the young people concerning the aims and objectives of the CYA. He/ She shall formulate the actual Archdiocesan Youth Policy, as well as current priorities, in an ongoing pro-gramme of formation of young people.
He/She assists the Catholic Youth Association (CYA) of the Archdiocese, as a whole, and, in particular, all youth associations, which have been approved by the Archbishop and officially registered with the Archdiocesan Youth Office.
He/she is responsible for establishing the necessary structures for youth work on Archdiocesan, Deanery and Parish/Mission level: (e.g. Archdiocesan Youth Council, Deanery Youth Councils and Parish Youth Councils.
He/She shall liaise with other relevant institutions and organisations in matters related to youth promotion in educational, economical, social and political spheres: (e.g. government ministries, university, technical colleges, etc...).
He is appointed by and represents the Archbishop.
He has the overall responsibility and final decision on matters pertaining to the Youth Office and the AYC.
He shall give the youth moral an spiritual guidance. He shall work together with the youth Coordinator and the whole youth council to implement youth programmes in the Archdiocese.
Membership shall be open to all baptised Catholic Youth, who are single. Young people ranging from 0-13 years shall belong to the Missionary Childhood Association. Those ranging from 14-18 years shall be called Junior Youth, and those between 18-30 shall be referred to as the Senior Youth. Catechumens can become members, but they shall have no vote, neither can they be voted into office.
Office bearers shall only be those who have received the sacrament of confirmation or can prove that they are regularly attending classes to prepare for confirmation.
Prospective members shall enlist themselves and pay a joining fee. From the time of enlistment, the member pays a monthly subscription and has all the rights and duties of a full member, except that one has no active or passive vote. After two months probation one shall be enrolled and issued a membership card and a copy of this constitution and hence become a full member. The issuing of the card and admission to the enrolment is reserved to the local committee with the parish spiritual adviser (parish Priest or his appointee). At Deanery level the spiritual adviser is the Dean or his appointee. However, this constitution does not interfere with the autonomy of recognised movements, which have their own approved constitution, concerning rules of membership.
The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Vice Secretary, and the Treasurer shall, at the beginning of each term of office, be elected by the members of the Parish/Deanery/ Archdiocesan Youth Councils, respectively, among the members. The chairperson and vice may not be elected for a second term of office to the same position. In the event of any office bearer, for any reason whatsoever, relinquish office before the end of term, the members shall elect one of them to fill the vacancy to the end of that term.
All office bearers to run a term of two years. Office bearers can be re-elected for not more than one term.
Is responsible for the group, consults the spiritual adviser in all matters of importance and is accountable. Represents the group in the Parish Council. Presides over all meetings, both general and committee.
In his/her absence, the vice chairperson shall be in-formed, in good time, and shall take the chair.
Shall be responsible for all the books and records, including the register of membership kept at the local parish/mission.
Shall prepare notices, send invitations and shall write minutes of each meeting, both general and commit-tee meetings.
Shall assist the chairperson in preparing an annual parish/movement/association report for submission to the Archdiocesan Youth Office.
Shall keep exact records of all income and expenditure.
Is responsible to the entire group and to the spiritual adviser, the later keeps the cash and has a separate account book. The treasurer can withdraw money, only with express permission of the committee. The treasurer shall give a financial report, at least once a month, to the local group.
Shall organise all the different associations and movements for events.
Shall organise facilitators for youth events.
Shall organise educational forums in which youth share and gather information.
Shall be held at least three times a year.
Shall be attended by one representative from each parish/mission/association two deanery representatives. The AGM shall be held in February, annually, at which meeting elections may be held, if the year coincides with end of term.
The AYC Chairperson and the Secretary shall attend these, on behalf of the youth in the Archdiocese, OR anyone appointed by the Archdiocesan Youth Council.
The above are just the basics.
10.1 Each Parish Youth Council shall keep its finances raised through joining fees, monthly subscriptions and other fund-raising means of all kind that are in agreement with the aims and teaching of the Church.
10.2 The Deanery Youth Councils can raise funds, for deanery activities, using means agreed upon and are in agreement with Christian teachings.
10.3 The Archdiocesan Youth Council can raise funds, for specific projects, through the Parish and Deanery Councils.
10.4 Each Parish/Mission and Association shall pay, at the beginning of each year, an affiliation fee ($) to the Deanery.
10.5 Each Deanery or Movement shall pay, at the beginning of each year, an affiliation fee ($) to the Archdiocesan Youth Council.
The Youth Advisers are members of the Christian community representing, at the same time, the parish community and the parents of the youth. They are very crucial to the success of a youth group and, as such, they should not be imposed on the youths. The youth shall suggest persons they wish to be their advisers.
of their choice to the priest in charge who will then appoint the Parish Advisers, after consulting the Parish Council. The maximum term of office, for a youth adviser, is two years. All youth groups, at parish and section level, should also have their own youth advisers.
are suggested by the Youth Office and the Advisers Meeting to the Youth. The AYC and DYC will choose among the suggested persons.
shall meet regularly to share their experiences and improve their work.
whose functions shall be to assist the Parish Youth in realising their vision and goals. Animators can be appointed to serve at regional level as well.
e.g. a younger priest of a deanery or area, a religious sister, a pastoral worker or a member of a parish pastoral team. Youth Animators are appointed by the deans or parish priests, respectively.
A Disciplinary Committee of the AYC should be formed, to oversee and deal with cases of indiscipline.
The Disciplinary Committee shall hold a preliminary hearing, after receiving a report of indiscipline.
After the preliminary hearing, the Disciplinary Committee shall invite the Parish Priest of the said offender/s, the Spiritual Director, Youth Adviser and the Youth Co-ordinator, for a full house hearing, to try and assist the concerned youth or youths to reform.
If, at a congress or any other function, a youth member sees a fellow youth member misbehaving, he/she shall make a report to the youth Coordinator, Adviser and Parish Priest of the parish or mission where the function is being held. He/ she shall be asked to write a report of what was witnessed and the accused will also be asked to compile a written report. This shall be done immediately, on discovering the offence.
Interpretation, of this constitution, lies entirely with the ex-officio executive members of the Association.
The Catholic Youth Association exists as a legal entity that can either be sued or sue.
In the event the Catholic Youth Association dissolves, all assets and liabilities belonging to the Association, shall be overtaken by the Church (Archdiocese, Deanery or Parish).
The Archbishop, directly or through the Spiritual Director has the right and the responsibility to veto any decisions reached by the association if they are not in keeping with the Archdiocesan vision which is guided by the Universal Church law which interprets the Divine law.
The Association must and will always acknowledge and respect the Archbishop as the highest Authority in the Archdiocese, the Chief Pastor and President of all Archdiocesan Associations hence his decision either expressed directly or through a representative is final and is not subject to veto.
Ngemva kokufundiswa lolukholo okwesikhathi esizinyanga ezintathu sebenjalo losuku lomkhuleko (day of recollection) bayemukelwa ngendlela elandelayo eMiseni ngemva kwentshumayelo.
Ngemva kweVangeli phambi kwentshumayelo umgcinisihlalo ubiza amalunga ngamabizo baphendula besithi "ngikhona" besebesondela phambili.
Chairperson: Baba ohloniphekayo abazalwane bethu laba sebetshengise isifiso sokuba ngamalunga eCatholic Youth Association.
Priest: Bazalwane bami abathandekayo kungumlandu wethu ukuba sizinikele ukuphila kwethu eNkosini lokucela usizo lwakhe. Uhlala ethembekile kulabo abamlandelayo. Ngakho ke thembekani kuye litshisekele ukuba ngabafundi bakhe abagotho ukuze lidonsele abanye kuye ngesibonelo senu esihle. Leli yilo ibizo lethu. Liyazwisisa umlandu lomsebenzi wenu njengabatsha ebandleni elingcwele eliKhatholika labaPostoli na?
Candidates: Yebo siyazwisisa
Priest: Liyathembisa ukuthi lizalandela uKristu ngokuthernbeka langothando njengokukhangelelwe kwabatsha bebandla elikatholika na?
Candidates: Yebo siyathembisa
Priest: Liyathembisa ukuba lizakuzinikela ngokuzidela kuKristu labantu bakhe ebandleni njalo ngothando lwenu langesibonelo senu lizakhokhela abanye abatsha kuKristu na?
Candidates: Yebo siyathembisa
Priest: Liyathembisa ukuba lizaziphatha ngendlela eqondiswa ngumthetho kaKristu ebandleni lakhe elingcwele lokulahla uSathane lezindlela zakhe zonke na?
Candidates: Yebo siyathembisa
Priest: Njengoba selilungele ukwemukelwa emhlanganweni wabatsha bebandla elikatholika ngizalinxusa ukuba litshengise isifiso lokuzinikela kwenu ngokubamba iBhayibhili elingcwele.
Candidate touching the Bible: Nkosi angathi ukukhanya kwelizwi lakho kungangikhokhelela eqinisweni.
The Priest extends his hands over the new members and blesses them with this Prayer:
Nkosi Iesu Kristu, wena uyikukhanya okukhanyisela abantu bonke. Vuselela ukuzinikela kwalaba abantwabakho osubakhethile ukuba babe ngabalandeli bakho abaqotho. Angathi ilizwi lakho lingaguqula impilo yabo libaphathise ukuba bananzelele ububi besono empilweni yabo. Bavikele ekuthembeleni kwawabo amandla, njalo ungavumeli emandla omubi lomoya wenkohliso abakhohlise. Ngomoya wakho ongcwele bagcwalise ngempilo, baphe ukholo, ithemba lothando ukuze badonsele abanye kuwe, ukuze njalo bazethokoza lawe enkazimulweni yakho ngoba uyiNkosi kuze kube nini. Amen
Priest: Selingamalunga agcweleyo omhlangano weCatholic Youth Association. Angathi uKristu angaba yindlela, leqiniso lokuphila kwenu.
The Archbishop approved this constitution on the 8th of March 2006.
CYA - CATHOLIC YOUTH ASSOCIATION
AYC - ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH COUNCIL
DYC - DEANERY YOUTH COUNCIL
PYC - PARISH YOUTH COUNCIL
LOM - LEGION OF MARY
CLC/G - CHRISTIAN LIFE COMMUNITY/GROUP
NMCS - NATIONAL MOVEMENT OF CATHOLIC STUDENTS
JUFRA- JUNIOR FRANCISCANS
BASU - BULAWAYO ALTER SERVERS UNION
MCA - MISSIONARY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION
YCWA - YOUNG CHRISTIAN WORKERS ASSOCIATION