The Columban Faith in Action Volunteer programme began as a way of providing young adults with an opportunity to learn more about Columban Mission priorities, these being ‘care for creation’ (biodiversity and climate crisis) and ‘welcoming the stranger’ (migration and refugees), whilst at the same time exploring their faith and spirituality.
The programme has evolved over the years, and we’ve proudly welcomed many individuals at various stages of their lives. The programme offers young adults a tailored opportunity to get engaged with real issues today, to grow as Christians and to mature in their faith. Volunteers receive training on a number of different topics such as intercultural and interfaith issues, interreligious dialogue as well as on migration, justice, peace and care for creation. This has been through lectures, conferences, workshops or through podcasts, visits and encounter.
Each year the volunteers have engaged in local projects which offer support to refugees and asylum seekers as well as programmes which promote good relationships between people of differing cultures and faiths. They have supported activities to help young people and educators explore the relationship between faith and action for justice and peace, working in schools, parishes and community groups.
This programme’s 10-year success is down to the tireless efforts of the programme co-ordinators, Mauricio Silva, Columban Interreligious Dialogue Co-ordinator, and James Trewby, our Justice, Peace and Ecology Co-ordinator, both of whom have played a pivotal role in designing the engaging programme and mentoring the volunteers. Their hard work and enthusiasm has kept the young adults focused and motivated them to gain valuable life skills, a wider appreciation of mission and a deeper awareness of their faith.
James Trewby explains, “I have found it wonderfully encouraging and refreshing to have young adults accompany us. There’s so much we can learn from them and with them! The volunteer programme offers a unique opportunity for young adults to get involved with collaboration with other organisations, both locally and nationally and to network, acquiring some great contacts for the future.”
The volunteers have collaborated with many groups over the years including the Assumption Sisters, Pax Christi, Restore, Stories of Hope and Home, the Laudato Si’ Movement, CAFOD, Brushstrokes, Open Door Friendship Centre, St. Chad’s Sanctuary, Justice and Peace Scotland, Hope Garden Project, The Azadi project, The Feast, The Faith Encounter Programme, English Martyrs Primary School, Father Hudon’s-Caritas and Fatima House.
We wish to thank these organisations for their support of the Columban Faith in Action Volunteer programme and for partnering with us to inspire, equip and accompany the young adults as they live out their faith through action for justice, peace, and care for creation. We also want to thank Nathalie Marytsch, Coordinator of the Invitation to Mission programme and the Columban Lay Missionaries and ordained in the region who have also journeyed with the volunteers.
Mauricio Silva adds, “The programme has given these young adults the opportunity to reflect seriously on the challenges of being a Christian and to discern the demands that arise from pursuing faithfulness in today’s multicultural context. Through their participation in these projects and programmes, they have also been able to experience Christian responses to the challenges faced by people living on the margins of society.”
We look forward to another decade of Faith in Action!
