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'Something happened to me this weekend that has changed my life for ever'. These words heard often, are indicative of the power and good that exists on Y.E.S. programmes. While a Y.E.S. weekend might not change every participant's life, it will be an experience that you will never forget, never regret and never deny someone you love and care for, from sharing.
You deserve to be a Y.E.S.ser - the sooner the better!
Y.E.S. - the most affirmative word in any language. This word too is the name of this ministry because it confirms and affirms youth of all ages (you can be as old as 118, provided you ask for your parent's permission!), calling them into the fullness of God's family and the life of His Church.
The motto of Y.E.S. is
"There's a New World coming..." - every participant of the programmes has the chance to experience this new world, be instrumental in helping create this new world, and feel it within themselves and their neighbours.
Y.E.S. is a programme for all who believe in Christ the salvation, and Christ the redeemer. Y.E.S. believes that the renewal of the Church is through the restoration of family relationships.
In the Beginning...
Y.E.S. was developed, as it is today, by the Right Reverend Father Tom Hedberg SDB, a psychologist and licensed marriage, family and youth counsellor, and Father Norm Supancheck, as associate pastor, in the USA, in 1968.
Y.E.S. came to South Africa in 1982 and to date there have been many weekends held at centres throughout South Africa. Y.E.S. has become nationally known and thousands have experienced the true meaning of being part of the family in the Kingdom of God.
But, exactly how does Y.E.S. work?
Y.E.S. Southern Africa, is associated with the Catholic Church and is recognised by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference. Y.E.S. serves all members of the Christian community and all ages are catered for by the provision of four programmes. Generally, these are outlined as;-
1.) The Mini (1 day) Programme for children of the ages 7 - 12 years, and their parents.
2.) The Young Youth (weekend) programme for teenagers of the ages of 13 -17 years.
3.) The Open (weekend) Programme for all persons aged 18 to 118 years!
4.) The Deeper (1 day) Programme, a very special programme available for all persons who have experienced the Open program.
There are three major aspects of these programmes;-
- Encounter with Self,
- Encounter with Others and
- Encounter with God.
Each developmental stage of the experience is the result of a total team effort. The team is composed of trained Y.E.S. leaders and workers.
What happens on these programmes?
The only way to find out is to take part in a programme! because Y.E.S., like life itself, is an experience to be lived rather than a programme to be described!
How did Y.E.S. come to Southern Africa?
In 1982 Fr. Norm and Fr. Tom came to South Africa to give us the gift of Y.E.S., accompanying them were, Jimmy Garcia, Jeannie Pinel and Gilbert Costello.
The first 2 weekends were in Durban, the third in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Of the first participants on the first weekends was Fr. Tony Bailey who pioneered the bringing of Y.E.S. to South Africa and who is still active in Y.E.S. today.
A meeting was held in Johannesburg after the Americans returned to the USA. It was decided at this meeting to set up a steering committee to raise funds for the return of the Americans to start Y.E.S. in South Africa.
In May 1983, Fr. Norm Supancheck and Jimmy Garcia returned with the purpose of directing some weekends and to train up Y.E.S.sers in South Africa and to establish a Y.E.S. Board and conduct training for the running of weekends.
Since then, Y.E.S. has been taken to many places, these include Johannesburg, Welkom, Escourt, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, Klerksdorp, Pretoria, East London, George, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,Phokeng...the list is endless!
Y.E.S. is taken to Mauritius
In the mid-1980's Y.E.S. South Africa was asked to establish a Board on the island of Mauritius (off the coast of South Africa, in the Indian Ocean). Y.E.S. in Mauritius continues to florish today.
Y.E.S. then goes to Zimbabwe
In 1989, Y.E.S. spread to Zimbabwe, when Y.E.S. South Africa became Y.E.S. Southern Africa.
Y.E.S. Southern Africa Board and structures
Y.E.S. has a Board of Directors of its own and only operates in areas where it has already obtained the support and Diocesan Blessing of the relevant Bishop of the area. Y.E.S. is completely independent of any other ministry, such as Marriage and Engage Encounter, Young Christian Workers, etc.
The current members of the Board are listed below and can be contacted directly, via their respective telephone numbers;-
Fr. Phillipe Docq(JHB Branch):[Spiritual Director] - 082 729 3758/Mail: (Fr.Phillipe)Clayton Noah(PE Branch):[Administration Person] - 082 401 8030/Mail: ( Clayton) Anne Campher(PE Branch):[Quality Control and Booking Person] - 073 139 7808/Mail: ( Anne ) Jude James(JHB Branch): [Communications Person] - (011)8541759 / 0716021078/Mail: ( Jude ) Kenna James(JHB Branch):[Finance Person] - (011) 8541759 / 0834443085/Mail: ( Kenna )
Y.E.S. currently has many established branches throughout, some which include Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town.
But, what happens after these weekends?
There are programmes available which can be run by trained Y.E.S.sers in the parish. These continue to support the principles of the weekend experience and reinforce the aims of Y.E.S..
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