Opportunity knocks next month for anybody wishing to support our young people in the Church, as Father Simon Gore explains.

 

At the Archdiocesan Synodal Council last November, it was reassuring to hear most, if not all, of the deanery groups there name young people as a priority in the mission of the Church.

 

It was something that the late Pope Francis was passionate about, he called youth “the living hope of the Church on the move.” Here at Animate, it is our daily work to try to offer the Good News of the Lord to the young people we encounter. We are fortunate that we have events and opportunities at which we can try to do just that. We have retreats and missions; training days and sacramental preparation; events and pilgrimages. As we often say in our promotional material, we work with about 10,000 young people every year.

 

We also know that, with those thousands, we are very much like the sower of the parable. Some are interested and want to learn more and grow in their own faith. Many are interested but possibly not ready to take the next step in their faith development now – they are the ones we need to nourish and allow to grow in their own time.

 

And we also accept that, at the stage of life in which we meet these young people, some are like stony ground: not ready to accept the Good News that is there. If the nature of faith is that it is a gift, then we have to accept that not all young people (as with people of all ages) will want the gift that is offered. Of course, that does not mean we stop offering it – we continue to sow each year and pray and hope that the seed will take root at some point. Much as the sower, we are lucky to have the opportunity to encounter so many young people. We all know here at Lowe House that many people reading this in our parishes would love to support youngsters in their faith development. And this brings me to a call to action, if you like. We have written in the Pic about the activities we run and, over the last few years, one of the most significant – and successful – has been the National Faith in Action Award Scheme.

 

In one sense, it has now become almost too successful for us to manage ourselves. Not the admin or the running of the award, but the reward for the young people that complete it. We firmly believe that those who complete the award should be seen, valued and thanked by the Church. For that reason, we committed to each participant receiving their own feedback/thank you sheet and certificate. And last year we made the decision to expand the award day into a ‘Fun Day’ including a ceremony with the bishop and a picnic and games in the garden of Lowe House.

 

This year, due to the numbers involved, we have had to expand this to a two-day event. Therefore, for anyone reading this who listed young people as a priority at the Synod meeting, here is an opportunity for you to get involved. And for anyone else wondering “What can I do to help a younger generation develop the faith that means so much to me?”, this is the opportunity for you too!

 

There are two areas where people could help:

 

• As a moderator: to sit at home and look at the final pieces participants have completed which chart their work done through the year and the way they have reflected on that work in the light of Church teaching and scripture. And then to offer feedback and thanks on behalf of the Church.

• As a ‘Fun day’ assistant: to come to Lowe House on 24 or 25 June (10am-2pm) and help with the award ceremony. There are different roles and we are not asking anyone to lead activities but, for the day to run smoothly, it would be helpful to have support from people with tasks like giving directions and stewarding.

 

Training will be given for both roles – you would not just be asked to do something and then left alone. The easy thing would be to read this and assume “This isn’t for me and someone else will get involved here”. But if we all think like that, then nothing will ever happen!

 

So please, if you are reading this and have ever wondered what you can do to support young people in their faith, or you have listed them as a priority, then perhaps this is the opportunity you have been waiting for – to assist in sowing the seed of the Good News.

 

For anyone interested in learning more, please get in touch by calling 01744 740461 or emailing s.gore@animateyouth.co.uk