They Were Called and They Came
25 January 2012
On Saturday (21 January) more than 100 young people gathered to celebrate their faith and take an active part in shaping youth ministry in our diocese in the years to come.
Dave Wheat our Youth Ministry Coordinator brought together young people from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol in Bristol’s Colston Hall 2 for ‘Called to be…’ The event marked the beginning of our diocesan consultation for youth ministry that will help to produce a vision document for parishes to aid their work with young people.
The day began with a prayer and music led by talented musician and composer Edwin Fawcett, who will also be leading over 6,000 Catholic young people in Wembley Arena in March for CYMFed (Catholic Youth Ministry Federation) Flame. Bishop Declan led the young people in their intercessions which focussed on being made welcome and being called as individuals whilst recognising that we are one family in Christ.
Dave then led the young people in reflections on; seeking more - the desire to ask questions about their own faith, where to go and who to approach to find answers, their own personal relationship with Christ - helping young people find new and innovative ways to develop their own personal relationship with Christ, and being confidently Catholic - exploring in what situations are young people more confident in their faith and how the Clifton Diocese can bring young people together to celebrate their faith more effectively.
Feedback was gathered from young people in the form of word clouds that will be included in the final vision that will be a guide and resource for those working with Young people in churches and schools in the diocese.
Towards the end of the day the young people were invited to take part in the CYMFed Flame congress which takes place in Wembley Arena on Saturday 24th March. This national gathering follows on from the visit of Pope Benedict XVI where young people from the Clifton Diocese gathered on the steps of Westminster Cathedral to welcome the Holy Father in a very special way. Alice O’Neill a Cathedral parishioner was one of the lucky few who personally met Pope Benedict XVI and was interviewed by local media about her experiences.
Our day in the Colston Hall finished with prayer led by Edwin Fawcett and the young people gathered were asked to consider being Called to be… unique, confident, honest and trustworthy.
Dave told cliftondiocese.com: “It was great to see so many young people gathered together, meeting new people and celebrating their faith. In today’s society we tend to forget the positive stories about young people and focus on the mistakes young people make. This gathering in Colston Hall goes against the common perception of young people being apathetic and unconnected to their faith and place in society.
“During this period of consultation, the Clifton Diocese is listening to young people and asking them how they can be supported in their faith journeys and their lives as a whole.”
The Called to be… consultation period continues in the coming months with evenings around the four counties of the Clifton Diocese hosted by Dave who will be leading an open discussion on how we can work with young people in our parishes and schools more effectively.
On Saturday (21 January) more than 100 young people gathered to celebrate their faith and take an active part in shaping youth ministry in our diocese in the years to come.
Dave Wheat our Youth Ministry Coordinator brought together young people from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Bristol in Bristol’s Colston Hall 2 for ‘Called to be…’ The event marked the beginning of our diocesan consultation for youth ministry that will help to produce a vision document for parishes to aid their work with young people.
The day began with a prayer and music led by talented musician and composer Edwin Fawcett, who will also be leading over 6,000 Catholic young people in Wembley Arena in March for CYMFed (Catholic Youth Ministry Federation) Flame. Bishop Declan led the young people in their intercessions which focussed on being made welcome and being called as individuals whilst recognising that we are one family in Christ.
Dave then led the young people in reflections on; seeking more - the desire to ask questions about their own faith, where to go and who to approach to find answers, their own personal relationship with Christ - helping young people find new and innovative ways to develop their own personal relationship with Christ, and being confidently Catholic - exploring in what situations are young people more confident in their faith and how the Clifton Diocese can bring young people together to celebrate their faith more effectively.
Feedback was gathered from young people in the form of word clouds that will be included in the final vision that will be a guide and resource for those working with Young people in churches and schools in the diocese.
Towards the end of the day the young people were invited to take part in the CYMFed Flame congress which takes place in Wembley Arena on Saturday 24th March. This national gathering follows on from the visit of Pope Benedict XVI where young people from the Clifton Diocese gathered on the steps of Westminster Cathedral to welcome the Holy Father in a very special way. Alice O’Neill a Cathedral parishioner was one of the lucky few who personally met Pope Benedict XVI and was interviewed by local media about her experiences.
Our day in the Colston Hall finished with prayer led by Edwin Fawcett and the young people gathered were asked to consider being Called to be… unique, confident, honest and trustworthy.
Dave told cliftondiocese.com: “It was great to see so many young people gathered together, meeting new people and celebrating their faith. In today’s society we tend to forget the positive stories about young people and focus on the mistakes young people make. This gathering in Colston Hall goes against the common perception of young people being apathetic and unconnected to their faith and place in society.
“During this period of consultation, the Clifton Diocese is listening to young people and asking them how they can be supported in their faith journeys and their lives as a whole.”
The Called to be… consultation period continues in the coming months with evenings around the four counties of the Clifton Diocese hosted by Dave who will be leading an open discussion on how we can work with young people in our parishes and schools more effectively.
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