Following a very powerful and spirit-filled Diocesan Pentecost Assembly on Sunday, May 15, and five evenings of Pentecost Mission with dynamic preacher Alex Jones that same week, a group of young Trinidadians was on the island from May 22 to 26 with a special mission.

The group, "Youth For Life", came to spread the virtue of chastity and the gospel of life to young people in Grenada . During their mission here, they did eight presentations to students and young people of seven secondary schools.

Their message focused on God's plan for our lives: how sex and sexuality fit into God's plan for us; what is wrong with vices like lust, pornography, homosexuality/same-gender relationships, masturbation and contraception; how to avoid temptation; and on sin and repentance.

Their method of delivery took the form of analogies, for example, they asked, "If you are on a diet for health reasons would you still consume foods you are told to avoid?" Or, "How close would you go to the edge of a precipice?" Of course the bible was their main tool and reference point.

In a brief sharing with Catholic Focus , group members expressed their belief that chastity was not "going out the window" as many tend to believe, nor was it as difficult as some young people think. They admit that they are also faced with strong temptations but they find their strength in group support, starting in the family as the main and original source, then with their peers.

Members of Youth for Life

They said they were impressed with the response and expressed thanks to the organizers. There were lots of discussions, questions and answers at the end of the talks. They expect to have follow-ups on their mission and hope to start a group in the diocese.

They encourage young people to practice the virtue of chastity, to have self-worth, to understand that they are important, and to respect themselves if they expect to be respected.

The "Youth For Life" group comprises just over twenty young people, mostly Catholics and university students from Trinidad and Tobago and beyond. Currently their chairperson is Matthew Martinez, with Leanna Hay as deputy and Fr Gerard Farfan as spiritual leader.