Building the Kingdom of God at the 2004 Lasallian Youth Gathering

Building the Kingdom with faith opportunities was present from the very start with the opening liturgy led by Father Albert Kenney of La Salle Academy in Providence. The group began and ended each day with a prayer services that were led by schools throughout the three districts. The students led prayer services that provided time for personal reflection, and gave us symbols to remember them. The services were full of youthful spirit that energized the group through reflective songs and activities.

Service's role in Building the Kingdom came in the form of three days of service that saw students working in service sites that focused on caring for others from very young babies to a one-hundred year old woman. The opportunities for service were diverse as students served in infant care centers, childcare agencies, elderly care centers, disabled youth centers and soup kitchens. The sites allowed the students to care for others, and to learn about themselves as they reached out to others. The students came back from their days of service and spoke about the ways that they found themselves transformed by those they went to lend a helping hand.

Finally, the Community aspect of the Kingdom was present throughout the conference. From the opening icebreakers to the socials that ended our days the days were spent together. The students were sent out to volunteer with students from all over the east coast to build opportunities to meet new people. It was evident that the participants were becoming a strong community as they all came together from different schools to share some fellowship at work and leisure. At the final assembly the students expressed their understanding of the Kingdom of God by providing insights into how the time to come together in prayer, in serving others, and in time together changed their perceptions on the importance of living a life of Faith, Service and Community.
^{(Timothy Donovan)}