For many years the Society of Mary and Challenge 2000 have been developing a relationship that could provide a framework to support and form young people to be mature, active and committed Catholics today.
After discussion the Provincial Council at the time, Fr Brian Cummings approved the partnership with Challenge 2000 and gathered with 9 other Marists, Challenge 2000 Board members and staff to officially bless the Marist Challenge 2000 Youth House in Wellington.
The purposes of the youth house are:
- To provide a supportive community where young people can be themselves, enjoy being together and discover what it is to live the gospel.
- To provide infrastructure/network support that enables young people to benefit from the Marist tradition and translate this for Aotearoa New Zealand today.
- To provide a sound base from which young people can move out and actively live their personal and collective mission as followers of the Gospel.
- To provide a residential community from where young people can exercise ministries: with youth, social justice, and other outreaches.
- To provide an opportunity where Challenge 2000 and Marists can be role models and guides for young people on their journeys.
- To provide a visible stake in the ground where the Society of Mary and Challenge 2000 can say to young people: This is what our respective charisms are.
What Community members say
“This community gives me an opportunity to grow, spiritually, physically, and mentally. It allows me to be myself and search for the place that faith has in my life. It is figuring out how to be Catholic, how to be Marist, how to live the Challenge values, at the same as being a twenty year male in Aotearoa New Zealand.” – Heath
“It is a very friendly place. It allows me to grow. I enjoy being here and how the other people who live here ask me how my day went. Katherine and Emma are like my mothers – they even make my lunch for me sometimes, they really care and it’s helping me at school” – Manu
“It’s so good living here and being supported by all of the other community members in a positive Catholic environment. It’s really great how we all support each other, can talk about things deeply, and it’s really made a difference with all the World Youth Day stuff having people I can ask to help me.” – Katherine