Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Youth Ministry

In the beginning .......

In 1990, Fr patsy was appointed to Athlone to work as curate in parish and take a particular interest in youth esp those on the perifera of parish/church. Fr. Patsy was also assigned as chaplin to two secondary schools – Marist college, and Our Lady’s Bower. At the time, the administrator in Athlone Fr. Pat Lennon. Fr PAt was always very encouraging and supportive of the need for young people to have a voice and role in the life of both the local community and church.

It was decided to establish a Parish Youth Club for children aged between 10 and 13 years of age ("10 to 13 club"). On the first night hundreds of children turned out and signed in for club activities. This ‘wave’ of youth was too much and within next few weeks many opted out and in the end with the assistance of many volunteers the club eventually filtered down to thirty children. But the remaining children needed the club and their parents were committed. This sealed the 10/13 clubs success.

A CORE committee was established for the overseeing of all parish clubs and activities. This committee of volunteers was committed to fundraising, recruitment, providing ongoing training for its leaders as well as organising social occasions for all. This Core group would meet monthly.

Foroige
Nowadays, being affiliated to Foroige, a national youth organisation, gives us greater independence in so much as insurance, training and childcare issues and protection policies regarding to adult leaders and children as well as code of behaviour/discipline are already in place. This is a big reason why parishes should give ultimate reponsibility to National Youth bodies involved in parish level youth initiatives. \these organisations have the experteese and the funding for working with our young people.
Another big plus about Foroige was you get to attend their annual Conference which back then was great craic!

Rainbows

Rainbows bereavement support group is an international organisation with its origins in America. Training is provided by Ms Evelyn Breen, who is the Rainbows midlands regional officer. We at the Diocesan Youth Ministry Centre at Athlone are one of many recognised sites where Rainbows functions from. After training the Programme Co-Ordinaters, recruitment and training a of Group Facilitators commences. These people will work with the children in small groups. The Programme is run according to age, bereavement experience, each candidate receiving a journal which they must work from. Each group is special and we respect it’s code of confidentiality. Children may if they desire, share with their parent or guardian how the programme is for them. There is no charge for this programme though donations are always well received and go towrds buying more journalsand towards the party or ‘celebrate me’ evenings.

Past Co-ordinaters include: Teresa O’ Neil, Joan Ormsby, Maura Casey, Sr Rose Gaughan.
Group facilitator: Fr P Mc Dermott.

St Mary's Parish Youth Drop-In Centre

The parish youth drop-in centre was set up as a place where children can relax in a caring and safe environment among heir peers. They can talk, play board games, have a quiz, play charades, catch a film or TV or simply hang out with their own mates for a while. The centre is supervsed bya minimum of two adults at all times. These adults are trained and garda-vetted to work with children. The night concludes with night prayer which is compulsory for all. Teas and snacks can also be had in the centre. Supervision is the key to its success. Adults must be consistant and keep a written record of all activities. A sign in/out book is available for all.
Open weekdays 7pm to night prayer at 9.45pm
Under 13’s leave for home at 8.30pm. They have prayer at 8.15pm.

Athlone Youth Festival

This Festival was organised by youth for youth in Athlone. It was into its 16th year when it finally came to a close in 2000.

Faith Development Programme for Pre-Communion Children
In faith development through the Youth Ministry Centre, a Faith Development Programme for pre communion chldren was designed to support parents who wished to bring their children to Mass but without having the distraction of the children. As a result a three year cycle childrens Liturgy of the Word was designed by Fr, Patsy at the Youh Ministry Centre. It has proven very popular and it is due to go for publication net year. These comprise of six books three Advent and three Lenten.

STORM Discos Discos have always been popular at St.Mary’s in fact the disco was often referred to as ‘ Mary’s. We would often here it chanted on weekends that ‘Mary’s is on next Friday!! As well as providing an environment for the youth to have a disco; this event was an important source of revenue for the ongoing activities with youth in both the centre and parish.

Leaders Right Relations Group
At the beginning and end of every year we as leaders working with young people would meet to share, discuss, affirm and challenge one another on how we worked in the course of the year. Tough process, but an excellent way of evaluating ones progress in the field of youth work.This type of evaluation is certainly not for the faint hearted!! But it does call for a directness and honesty which in the end is for our own good, development as leaders and for the good of the children / clubs.

Altar Servers club
Monthly meetings at the centre for organised games, quizes, films, guest speekers, party nights, parents evening and bi-annual tours or outtings.