Society of Mary Challenge 2000 Gap Year

Heath Hutton

In February, eight Gap students embarked upon the 6th Marist Challenge Gap Year offered by the Society of Mary and Challenge 2000. The gap year is a full time 11 month programme for young Catholics that focuses on personal development, spiritual growth, self-awareness, awareness of others and how to live as a young person of faith in today’s world.

Participants attend two days training every week at Pa Maria, the Marist Spirituality centre in Hobson St, Thorndon. The topics include the Catholic faith, Marist Spirituality, discernment, understanding of scripture, life skills, personal effectiveness, stress management, relationships, biculturalism, communication and presentation skills and lots, lots more. The participants also study a NZQA Certificate in Youth Work, First Aid, level 3 NCEA credits if necessary, and also undertake defensive driving and other particular training that reflects their career aspirations. A highlight is also sharing the week day Wednesday Mass with the pa Maria Marist community. 

Three days a week the gap participants have pastoral placements that introduce them to possible career options, provide exposure to different cultures or work environments and also enable them to serve and make a different in local communities. Placements include mentoring youth at risk, tutoring and supporting children in primary schools, supporting Riding for the disabled or the SPCA, office administration at Caritas or Catholic Social Services, reading to and supporting elderly in their own or residential homes or even lawn mowing and section clearing for the more practical! Every gap student has a chance to move out of their comfort zones and gain a wide range of skills.

Discussion with Fr John Walls sm

This is a very successful Youth Development programme that has aleady been of great benefit to 50 young people who are now Police officers, soldiers, teachers,builders,paramedics, youth workers, overseas aid workers, tertiary students, lawyers, seminarians, farmers and musicians. The graduates serve and contribute to their faith communities in a variety of ways that keeps the charism of Mary alive and well today.