In Touch

March 2007

A couple of weeks back, the 23rd-25th February, our annual View Weekend took place at Brettargh Holt. It was well attended by 27 young people interested in finding out more about what we do, 5 experienced volunteers who had been invited by the Youth Development Team to aid us. The theme we had was that of the X-Factor, and the whole idea was that everyone was there
to try to ‘Discover their Xtra-Factor’. The weekend started off well with a music
industry themed board game, on the Friday evening, which was both fun and very confusing. On the Saturday we had workshops, where the young people could see different aspects of Vides from the
personal accounts of volunteers who had experienced them. They were all great and very inspirational to the young people. Vides View Weekend On the Saturday evening we had the social
that was of course the X-Factor show itself. We even had our very own Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. The young people were in five groups and with the help of their ‘mentors’, had to create song lyrics, a dance, a costume and a promotional video and perform them on the live show. All five groups did really well and by the end of it the ‘public vote’ decided they were all winners as they all had an Xtra-Factor to give. The weekend ended with Mass on the Sunday morning, which was a great way to reflect on the weekend. Everybody who was there really enjoyed the weekend and all said how amazing it was. It really was a great weekend.
David Burns (YDT)

VOLUNTEERS ABROAD: FUNDRAISING

Two volunteers will be taking part in the Kenya project this year. Darren Batey and Becky Hicks are busy preparing for the project. They are fundraising to support it
but obviously, being a small number, it means that it will be more difficult this year. If you can help in any way or you know of a group that would be willing to fundraise, we would be very grateful. Get in touch with Darren or Becky or send donations to the VIDES Office. Thanks

VISIT FROM ROME

Sr. Wilma is an Indian Sister who now lives in Rome. As a representative of Mother General, she has been
visiting all the Salesian Sisters' houses in the UK. She was very keen to find out about VIDES UK so
on Tuesday 27th February 11 of our volunteers came together in the VIDES office to meet Sr. Wilma and share our story. We began with a prayer then I gave a brief overview of our history and one member of each sub-group told her about the work they do. She got a clear picture of the vast amount of activities carried out each year in VIDES. Helen McDonald also gave an inspirational talk about how being a
VIDES volunteer has influenced her life. We asked and answered many questions as she found out
more about us and we discovered more about her work. We had tea and biscuits together and concluded the evening with a goodnight where Sr.Wilma told us a story which carried the message that
God is in each person and we have to look for that goodness in everyone we meet. It was good to meet
Sr. Wilma and share our journey with her.
Rachael Chadwick

GOD IN AN APRON
Supper was special that night.
There was both a heaviness and a
holiness hanging in the air.
We couldn’t explain the mood.
It was sacred, yet sorrowful.
Gathered around that table, eating that
solemn holy meal
Seemed to us the most important meal
We had ever sat down to eat.
We were dwelling in the heart of mystery.
Though dark the night, hope felt right
as if something evil was about to be
conquered.
And then suddenly the one we loved
startled us all.
He got up from the table and put on an
apron.
Can you imagine how we felt?
God in an apron!
Tenderness encircled us as he bowed before us.
He got up from the table and put on an apron.
Can you imagine how we felt?
God in an apron!
Tenderness encircled us as he bowed
before us.
He knelt and said, “I choose to wash your
feet because I love you.”
God in an apron, kneeling. I couldn’t
believe my eyes.
I was embarrassed until his eyes met mine.
I sensed my value then.
He touched my feet,
he held them in his strong brown hands.
He washed them. I can still feel the water.
I can still feel the touch of his hands.
I can still see the look in his eyes.
Then he handed me the towel and said:
“As I have done so you must do”
Learn to bow, learn to kneel.
Let your tenderness encircle everyone you meet.
Wash their feet not because you have to,
because you want to.”
It seems I’ve stood two thousand years
Holding the towel in my hands.
“As I have done, so you must do”
Keeps echoing in my heart.
“There are so many feet to wash” I keepsaying.
“No” I hear God’s voice resounding
through the years.
“There are only my feet. What you do for
them, you do for me.”