by Don Wedd

Aware that CTA's future requires the leadership of younger Catholics, CTA brought 15 of its younger leaders for a national meeting at a retreat center near Chicago July 24-26. The energy and excitement of the event exceeded even our high hopes.

Honesty and trust built up through sharing the spiritual journeys that had brought us to CTA laid the foundation for the attentive listening that was a mark of the whole weekend. Diversity was appreciated, and what diversity there was! While most participants were age 25-35, a couple were in their early 40s. Men and women were in equal numbers. There were parents and singles, gay and straight, cradle Catholics and adult converts to Catholicism. They came from Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio. Countries of birth included Africa, Asia, and Australia.

There were generational differences. Younger conferees admitted that the catechism was not a standard reference for them. Older ones had never heard of the Lilith Fair. Vatican II was not a watershed event for younger members, but the restrictions on women's role in the church caused pain for both women and men.

These "Next Generation" leaders are keen to take up the challenges of creating a just church and a better world. While their language may have been a little different from CTA's usual terminology, the desires and hopes are the same. They want to try new approaches to creating a better church, but they have immense respect for older CTAers who have courageously endured excommunication and disdain by authorities.

We were delighted by the high level of commitment to CTA, and how many of these younger people are already in leadership positions on local chapter boards. The liturgy committee effortlessly led us in song, prayer and eucharist. Younger leaders facilitated sessions and shaped the agenda.

Many of the participants are the only young members in their local chapters, so this chance to come together with others of their generation was immensely energizing. The meeting was marked by laughter, analysis, anger, hope, and fun.

Because the group was so positive, we were able to make some tentative plans to extend CTA's outreach to younger Catholics. These leaders will offer advice for the shape of the youth retreat at the October conference, and they are keen to help prepare a retreat next summer for 100 people their age. They will meet again next February. Meanwhile, they will keep in touch through CTA-Hope, which provides for a quick exchange of opinions and feedback on ideas (see article).

Already the next Next Generation is being formed in the spirit of the new church: two of the women are due to give birth in the next few months.