MaristYouthLeader has come a long way since the first programme in December 2002.  On that occasion fifty-one students from five schools attended.  In January of this year we hosted a total of one hundred and forty-four students.  Groups came from Pompallier Catholic College in Whangarei, Marist College in Auckland, St John’s College in Hastings, Hato Paora College in Feilding, St Patrick’s College in Silverstream, St Patrick’s College in Wellington, St Bede’s College in Christchurch, Roncalli College in Timaru, and Marist Regional College in Tasmania, Australia.  As well as the groups, we had students who are volunteers at Challenge 2000 in Wellington, a Youth Social Work agency, and also one individual student from Sacred Heart College in Auckland.  Some colleges used the opportunity to send two groups in different weeks, and it was pleasing to see the commitment from MRC in Tasmania in sending eight students and one teacher.

This year also saw the introduction of a Presenting Team, meaning that Fr Mark’s was not the only voice, and that the day-to-day running of the programme was the responsibility of the whole team.  The members of the Presenting Team are:  Nick Bartlett (Silverstream, MYL 2004), Heath Hutton (St Pat’s Town, MYL 2005), Emma Kelly (Marist College, MYL 2005), Shaun Kavanagh (Silverstream, MYL 2004), Hannah Kennedy (Challenge 2000, MYL 2006) and Mark Mulholland (St Bede’s, MYL 2005).  Nick and Shaun were the programme managers, Heath and Mark took care of all outdoor dynamics as well as overseeing the Liturgy and Socials, and Emma and Hannah presented material at the ten Key Sessions.  It is our intention to expand the Presenting Team in the future, so that more graduates have the opportunity to come back and contribute in this way.

One further highlight of the second week of MYL in January was that following in the footsteps of Andrew and Jacqui Mehrtens in 2005 and 2006, came Richie McCaw.  He answered questions and provided a few photo opportunities for over an hour.  A most impressive, humble and engaging character!