Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Youth Ministry

Welcome to our first ever edition of our AYM Newsletter. 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

FIRST DIOCESAN CONFERENCE ON 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 ministry 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 adopted 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.....

UPCOMING EVENTS

Good Friday - Passion Reflection
This Good Friday you are invited to a reflection evening in St Mel's Pastoral Centre, Longford (near Cathedral) from 9.15pm. We will have different elements to the evening, including prayer around the cross, Taize prayer and music, and reflection on St Mark's Gospel. Followed by a cup of tea (strictly no biscuits!). See poster attached.

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Taize 2010
Fancy doing something different this summer? A group from Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry will travel to Taize in France this Summer 2010 (21st to 30th August). 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. See poster attached.

World Youth Day Madrid 2011

Why not join Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry Pilgrimage to WYD 2011 from 5th to 23 August 2011?

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! And there will be huge crowds and the pilgrimage can be physically demending. However, it's also great craic!

Deposits of €200 now being taken.

SETTING UP A FOROIGE YOUTH CLUB
If you would like to set up a youth club and do not know how to go about it, you can follow the step-by-step guide provided by Foroige (shown below).

Step By Step Guide to setting up a Foróige Club in your area

1. Recruitment of suitable adult volunteer leaders. Anyone interested in becoming a leader is required to fill out a garda vetting form, a volunteer application form and supply two references.
2. An Information Night is held with interested young people, parents, members of the community & potential leaders conducted by the Regional Youth Officer.
3. Leaders Induction training conducted by the Regional Youth Officer.
4. Leaders declaration forms completed.
5. Premises located.
6. Young people recruited.
7. Initial Club meeting
(Affiliation fee - €15 per person, €25 per family)

For more information contact your regional youth officer (RYO).
Westmeath and Offaly RYO: Breda Maguire (086) 9672921 or email breda.maguire@foroige.ie
Longford and Roscommon RYO: Jim Maher (086) 9672920 or email james.maher@foroige.ie
Leitrim RYO: Michelle Hennessy (086) 0493199
Cavan RYO: Erica Reade (086) 3880717 or email erica.reade@foroige.ie

SCHOOL RETREATS
Just a reminder that Fr Patsy McDermott (Diocesan Youth Director) is available for both primary school retreats (for first holy communion and confirmation) and secondary school retreats. Retreats can take place in the school or in one of the Diocesan youth centres (Athlone or Moyne). 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.

Note: Weekend retreats for young adults will soon be available at the new youth centre in Moyne. Watch this space!

ST MEL'S CATHEDRAL NEEDS YOU!
The Diocese are looking for the input of young people into the planning and rebuilding of St Mel's Cathedral. If you wish to be involved or know of a young person from your area/parish who may like to make suggestions, a group from Ardagh and Clonmacnois Youth Ministry will be attending a meeting on April 10th 2010. For more information contact (090) 6473358 or email info@aym.ie.