Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Youth Ministry

AYM Newsletter April 2010
This newsletter will be released on a monthly basis to inform people of the Diocese about upcoming youth ministry events and current news. If you would like to include an upcoming event, youth initiative or news item in an upcoming edition, please let us know on (090) 6473358 or email info@aym.ie. Also you can visit our website on www.aym.ie

KNOCK SUMMER FESTIVAL 2010 "WALK BY FAITH"
Prayer, music, reflection, talks, workshops and more.
25th to 27th June 2010. 18 - 35 year olds.
Cost €70 inc. food and accomodation. If you prefer not to stay you can also come and go for the day.
A group from AYM will be attending the festival if you would like to go or if you know of any young adults who might enjoy the weekend.
See www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival for more information.

DIOCESAN YOUTH ASSEMBLY 2010
One great idea that came from last february's Diocesan Conference on Youth Ministry was to organise an event for young people of the Diocese to communicate their views and ideas. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that the first Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Assembly will take place in Longford this September 2010 (date and venue to be confirmed). It is a very challenging and exciting idea - and one which we will need your support for if it is to be successful. We will have a number of workshops and talks aimed at issues relevant to young people. We also hope to form a Diocesan Youth Council as a result of the event. If you have any ideas for the day or would like to get involved (or know of any young people who would like to get involved) in helping to organise the event please let us know on (086) 8255178 or email info@aym.ie. More information will follow in future newsletters.

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Taize 2010 *Date change*
Fancy doing something different this summer? A group from Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry will travel to Taize in France this Summer 2010 (15th to 23rd August - Note date change). Rediscover an inner peace, a new meaning to life.

Cost €350. Deposit €100 required. Places limited to 20. For young adults aged 17 and over.

If you are interested in travelling you can email us on info@aym.ie or phone (086) 8255178.

World Youth Day Madrid 2011
Why not join Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry Pilgrimage to WYD 2011 from 8th to 23 August?

To date we have organised and participated in five World Youth Days in Paris, Rome, Toronto, Cologne, and Sydney. Join us in Madrid in 2011. Remember WYD 2011 in August is going to be hot! There will be huge crowds and the pilgrimage can be physically demanding. What they don't tell you is that it's also great craic!

Deposits of €200 now being taken.

YOUTH MINISTRY MISSION WEEKENDS
Youth Ministry Mission Weekends is a new initiative being planned to bring the idea of youth ministry to the parishes of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The idea is that Fr Patsy McDermott (Diocesan Youth Director) and team will be available to visit a parish on request to spend a weekend in that parish. Over the weekend, there would be various activities planned. For example. on the saturday evening the youth ministry team would run an information session, a taize-type prayer evening, and other activities. The weekend would conclude on sunday with a youth mass - intended for ALL people of the parish (not just young people!).

If you are interested, you can call the youth ministry centre in Athlone on (090) 6473358, in Moyne on (049) 4328741 or email info@aym.ie.

VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to get involved with Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry at a Diocesan or Parish level let us know. We are always looking for new volunteers and new ideas. It doesn't have to be a huge commitment - even an hour here and there would be great!

OTHER NEWS

Kildare and Leighlin Visit
A big thank you to all those from Kildare and Leighlin Diocese who joined Fr Patsy McDermott on the day pilgrimage to Clonmacnois this Month.

And in the words of George Harrisson.... Here comes the sun!