“Throw open the windows of the Jornada Movement and let the fresh air of the Holy Spirit Enter.” Happy Anniversary!
As today we celebrate the Jornada Movement, we have the opportunity to “Look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion, and embrace the future with hope.”
Today we celebrate 52 years of being an ecclesial movement and serving the people of New York City and beyond. We also recognize that the spiritual needs of Jornadistas have changed since the movement’s humble beginnings. However, we are accept God’s call to provide a spiritually enriching environment and experience to all our Jornadistas.
One of the many changes we have experienced is in demographics. The movement is not just serving the youth. Now we have youth (15-20), young adults (21 -35) and adults (35 - older) living their fourth day. Each of these groups have different ways of experiencing and expressing their faith, hope and love.
This movement has been and continues to be an influence on the way people live out their relationship with Jesus Christ.
For that reason, I am promulgating three targeted group conversations that will focus on topics such as the vision of the movement, understanding the roles within the movement, personal needs and expectations. There are two very important questions that need to be answered: 1) What can the movement do in helping you live your fourth day? and 2) What can you do for the movement to help it grow and flourish? To ensure we get the most out of these gatherings we are separating participants by age group - 16-20, 21-35 and 35 and up.
While we know this is not the first time we attempt to gather feedback and evaluate for the future of the movement; we are also aware of its value because changes in the movement came from forums such as these. English Jornadas, JX, Family Life Ministry, Delegate of Formation, are just a few examples of your ideas that came to be because of these types of forums. Therefore, the changes in the demographics of the movement warrant for us to once again reach out and clarify who we are and where we are going. Something we must continually do.
It is my hope that all Jornadistas (Base members, Delegates, Auxiliares, active and non-active) participate in this process since each bring a different level of experience and expectations.
Once these meetings have concluded we will meet to review the data gathered and identify the following:
Common themes across the three groups
What's working well
Opportunities for improvement
Where do we need change
Clarification of who we are and where we are going
I place these forums in the hands and intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother. Above all, we trust in that intercession of the Immaculate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, in the protection of the Jornada Movement and of us.
Over the past 50-plus years of the Jornada Movement, there has been changes, conflicts, renewal, and restoration; yet we have embraced this movement and will continue to do so in years ahead.
Happy Anniversary. God Bless you and God Bless this Movement.