Parishes...

There is no standard approach to parish Youth Ministry. Each parish seeks to identify its own provision in response to the need of the faith community. What works in one parish may not work another. The emphasis is not just about having a Youth Club/Group but is much broader, developing appropriate ways for young people to be involved in every aspect of parish life and in a safe and supportive environment. This requires a holistic approach by addressing every aspect of the development and formation of young people. The process for developing a realistic Youth Ministry also encourages a collaborative approach.

In supporting the provision of a Youth Ministry, Animate offers training, information, resources, encouragement and promotion of good practice:

It should be our aim to work with young people in such a way that their every concern is explored and examined under the searchlight of the Gospel of Christ.
By this process young people may come to realise for themselves their part in God’s mission.

What people have said...

The young people enjoyed a relaxing and rewarding day at Lowe House which helped them in their preparation for Confirmation. The team of young leaders were friendly and welcoming, sharing themselves and their faith in an open and unthreatening way. The cost was met by the Parish and I think was great value for money.
Fr Steve Cooper,
Parish Priest  of St Richard’s and Sacred Heart, Atherton, and St Ambrose Barlow, Astley; Dean of Leigh Deanery

"Animated" and "Inspiring"! My simple yet honest evaluation and experience of working alongside the animate team during our parish confirmation away day. 'Inspired young people, inspiring young people!' A privilege to witness. May I also commend the whole team for the support, encouragement and welcome they offered to the catechist team.
Cathy Jones,
Parish Catechist, St Benedict’s, Warrington

The ideas and enthusiasm of the animate team worked with our young people, who were led through group and shared work in an enjoyable way, which also led into deeper thought and times of prayer and reflection… The team have also offered to support and develop the catechists for a parish programme in the coming years. Thank you animate for your input and for your continuing work in the diocese.
Fr Sean Kirwin,
Parish Priest St Paul’s and St Timothy’s, West Derby,
and Episcopal Vicar for Finance

We are glad to announce the start of our weekly youth night has been fantastic. It has been running for just two weeks now but the numbers more than doubled from the first week to the second. It has been a great chance for people to meet up with old friends and make new friends while playing games, baking cakes, praying together and making plans for what TGI is going to be. As it is only the beginning, we want to make it a night for young, with the ideas from young people and so in our second week we explored different characteristics of what we want TGI to be and also looked at what activities and topics we would like to have at TGI over the coming weeks, months, and years!!! If you are interested or know someone who might be interested then come on down on a Friday night, details are on the home page!

 

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Pentecost Retreat:

What a day Pentecost was! The sun was shining and the day was very chilled but allowed everyone to explore and celebrate exactly what Pentecost is all about. There was a morning full of games, artwork and discussion about sharing Good News and who the Holy Spirit is. The afternoon involved more fun with a Piñata full of bible quotes and sweets. There was a time to prepare some parts of the mass before moving into a more reflective time including testimony, lectio divina and prayer ministry. This led up to a mass with everyone playing their part in a great celebration.

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Triduum Retreats:

I’m sure everyone who was there would agree that the Triduum retreats were a fantastic experience for all once again this year. Before they started the team here were able to go along to the Chrism mass at the Cathedral on the Wednesday night, which was great preparation for the three days ahead. Maundy Thursday focussed firstly on Lent and the season we had just experienced before moving into a look at service, prayer and the Eucharist. Just as the disciples did that night, we shared a meal before our Mass together. Good Friday focussed mainly around the stations of the cross as in groups we were able to design and prepare our own stations using all sorts of materials. The day helped us to look at Jesus sacrifice and the sacrifices we have in our lives. This led into a very moving Good Friday service with the parish. Holy Saturday explored the emotions of the disciples on that day some 2000 years ago, confusion, loss and emptiness. It was a chance for stillness, quiet and reflection with an Emmaus walk and prayer stations and it was the perfect way to really enter into the feelings of that time for the disciples and helped to understand the joy and excitement of the Easter Vigil that evening. To bring even more excitement, our very own Tom Larkin was confirmed that evening, a great celebration for him and for all. Thank you to the parish here at St Mary’s and to all the young people who came and helped make these days so fantastic!

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Eucharistic Ministers Training

Over the weekend of 17th-18th October we welcomed a number of young people to Lowe House for a weekend of training to become Ministers of the Eucharist around the Archdiocese. It was a great couple of days that gave people a chance to really explore their faith and the reasons they were becoming Eucharistic Ministers. The days were full of fun and reflection, prayer and the practicalities, and finished with the commissioning of 14 young people at the parish mass at St Mary’s, Lowe House.