Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Youth Ministry

The first annual Ardagh and Clonmacnois Conference on Youth Ministry took place on 13th February 2010 in St Mel's Pastoral Centre, Longford.

The conference was aimed at youth group leaders, priests and other religious, teachers, parents, young people (16+) and anyone interested in developing faith in young people.

Overall the day was a great success with almost 60 people attending, with a good mix of people from all around the Diocese. The day began with opening words from Bishop Colm O Reilly who stressed the importance of youth minstry in light of the new framework document for Youth Ministry in Ireland, "Called together. Making the difference." Bishop Colm was followed by words from Fr Patsy McDermott (Diocesan Youth Director), who spoke of the ever-changing face of youth ministry. Fr Patsy stressed the need for all involved in youth ministry to follow the AYM mission statement, namely "In working with young people, do not try to call them back to where they were, and do not call them to where you are, as beautiful as that place may seem to you. You must have the courage to go with them to a place neither you nor they have been before."
Mr Pat Breen (Chairman, AYM) then provided an outline of Diocesan strategy for youth ministry and introduced our new champions of youth ministry (Click here for further information on the champion initiative http://www.aym.ie/content/diocesan-youth-champions.). Our guest speaker on the day was Ms Debbie Moore (Sli Eile Centre for Young Adults). Debbie injected a lot of enthusiasm and humour into the day providing and account of her experience over the years of working with young people in the area of faith development. For more information on sli eile, see www.sli-eile.ie

After lunch, Pat Breen facilitated a workshop, entitled "Developing a youth initiative in a Parish", where those attending the conference were called upon for their views and ideas. It was a very fruitful session and one which will provide invaluable information for developing youth ministry within Ardagh and Clonmacnois.
The day ended with closing prayer and music led by Fr Turlough Baxter.

A big thank you to all of those who made the effort to come along on the day and make our first annual conference on youth ministry a great success. Now the talking's over.....