Successful Focus on Youth Circle Meeting – 12th October.

October is our Youth Month. Supporting Catholic Youth is one of the aims of the Association. 25 Brothers and guests attended our Focus on Youth meeting on 12th October.

We are pleased to combine both Youth and the Rosary by presenting 400 Rosary beads to Arran Kearney, Lay Chaplain of St Anselm’s College. We presented the Rosary Beads to Arran on behalf of the Province 4 Rosary Group and with special thanks to Mike Bunting and Kevin Prendergast.

Dominic Wilcox and Richard Cassidy from St Clare’s Parish received Rosary beads and statuettes for next year’s Communion Group and Fr Gerard Murphy. Fr Max and Mike Kostreswki received the same for St Anthony of Padua’s 2027 Communion Group.

Our guest Speaker Sarah McGeehan, the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Co-Ordinator, gave an interesting and enlightening talk about her role and her version for developing youth commitment to the church and involvement with their parish community. This involves a road map of various stages starting from first holy communion through primary and secondary school and beyond. Her vision for the Youth Ministry is:

A future vision for youth ministry is of a Church where young people encounter Christ through authentic relationships, belonging and accompaniment.

It is a Church where young people feel welcomed, safe, listened to and valued; where faith connects meaningfully with real life; and where young people are gradually formed in discipleship, prayer, service and leadership through long-term relationships and community.

Youth ministry becomes less about isolated programmes and more about pathways of belonging, encounter and growth — helping young people discover purpose, friendship, faith and vocation within the life of the Church.”

Sarah was presented with a pledge from our Circle for £150 to support Catholic Youth from the Archdiocese attending Flame 2027.

Flame is the largest Catholic Youth gathering in the UK, organised by Cymfed. The Catenian Association is its major sponsor, £20000 being donated to support the 2027 event. To date its capacity of 10000 attendees is sold out.