Young People. Diocese of Cork & Ross Handbook of Ideas for Parishes

Transcription

1 Diocese of Cork & Ross Handbook of Ideas for Parishes Young People

2 Advent/Christmas Tree of Love Bring the parish Christmas tree in to the parish for the first Sunday of Advent but rather than decorating it with ornaments have large coloured gift tags naming gifts that are needed for a family in need this is a project you might discuss with the St Vincent de Paul Society in your parish they will know families who are in need. After the gospel of the Mass introduce the idea of the tree and invite the parishioners to come forward after Mass or sometime during the coming week and take one of the gift tags from the tree. In doing this they undertake to provide the gift. They are asked to buy the gift, wrap it and attach the gift tag to the gift and then on the third Sunday of Advent bring the gift to the church and place it under the tree it might be nice to include this bringing of gifts as part of the offertory procession on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) The organising group or the Saint Vincent de Paul then have two weeks to distribute the gifts to those who requested them/are in need. A good way to live out the Christmas message of the giving of the greatest gift the gift of love!

3 Art in Church Many of our parishes are blessed with a rich variety of artistic gifts among the people why not harness these gifts for the benefit of all the people Gather a group of artists of a variety of mediums painters, sculptures, calligraphers, woodworkers, floral artists At different times during the year invite them to be involved in creating the space for worship on a particular theme Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Candlemas, Lent, Vocations Sunday, May, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Saint Finbarr, feasts of Our Lady, October Mission month, your parish feast day and many more. They may also be willing to share their giftedness with others and hold classes to develop the gifts of others. It is a great way of handing on their gifts to our younger generation let them see how their gifts can be used to enhance the celebration of faith and liturgy in their parish.

4 Bursary for young volunteers Today many of our young people volunteer for a variety of projects where they give in plenty of their time, their energy and enthusiasm and their giftedness to help others who are in need in a variety of different ways. The parish might consider supporting these young volunteers by setting up a Parish Bursary fund to assist them in their fundraising and to let them know that he parish community supports their initiatives. There are several steps towards setting up a bursary: 1. Set up a group who will oversee the management of the bursary 2. Talk to the parish finance committee to see if they are willing to make a contribution 3. Discuss ways to gather the funds to set up the fund 4. Contact the PDO for assistance in setting up the project towards awarding the bursary from launch to advertising, to applications to awards 5. Ensure that follow up with those awarded a bursary is part of the setting up how will the parish engage with the project beyond its financial support?

5 Campaigning for Justice Every year Trócaire promote a number of campaigns to seek justice for the people of the world whether it is for fair wages employment rights clean water peace education housing health There is always someone in the world who needs us to speak up for them to be their voice to our governments and leaders Invite your local young people to join forces to be the voice for others by educating themselves and thereby making a difference to the lives of other young people in the world They might also take part as a group in the Trócaire 24 hour fast as a group Information, resources, education and campaign materials are all available by contacting Trócaire in Cork at: 9 Cook Street, Cork tel: or by corkinfo@trocaire.ie

6 Encouraging young musicians Did you ever stop to ask yourself the question: Where will our parish musicians come from in the future? We have all read the ads in our parish newsletters appealing for new choir members and musicians but did we ever stop and look around and find out who in our parish is studying music? Who is learning to sing? All of our parishes have young people who need to be invited to bring their gifts and talents into the service of the parish community they need encouragement and they need to be invited personally by you! It might mean the organist allowing them to play just one piece at Mass on Sunday occasionally it might mean the regular soloist stepping aside sometimes and allowing a new voice to be heard Or how about teaching a young parishioner to sing or to play the organ Sometimes we have to be willing to let go of our roles to allow new talent to emerge within or communities

7 Flip Flop Fridays Fridays in May Flip flop Friday was the brainchild of the Serve ( young volunteers in 2005 and continues to support the work of Serve each year since. Why flip flops? Flip flops are the footwear of the world s poorest people Footprints, feet and flip flops speak of journey, of walking the walk of service and of mission Flip flop Friday is a gesture of solidarity with the world s poor, a gesture of service and a gesture of determination to make a difference together In embracing the spirit of flip flop Friday we are reaching out, sending a message of support and commitment What can we do? In our parishes we can invite people of all ages but especially young people to wear flip flops on Fridays during May wear them to work, to school (with permission!), to college, to the shops, wherever you go To buy and wear with pride your flip flop Friday pin badge To encourage others to join in solidarity with you The flip flop Friday appeal works on three levels: 1. Supports Fair Trade Serve has a partner who makes the pins so they buy them at the fair trade price set by the women who make them at the Regina Centre in Thailand. 2. Raises awareness of the poorest people 3. Generates funds that make a difference to lives of the poor If you would like to get involved see: Or by ing: flipflop@serve.ie

8 Going to College Towards the end of September every year many of our young parishioners move from Second Level School to Third Level Colleges. A new beginning for them and for their families Include them in your Prayer of the faithful on one of the Sundays as they move to new places, let them know that your prayers and support go with them If they have been involved in the parish Ministers of the Word, in music ministry, assisting with the Children s liturgy etc remember to say a special thank you during Mass the weekend before they depart Sending a card from the parish can be a welcome gesture of gratitude and good wishes

9 Gougane Sunday Walk the Camino of Cork! To celebrate the Feast of our diocesan patron Saint Finbarr Bishop Buckley invites us to join him in Gougane Barra for mass t 3:00pm on the Sunday nearest to the feast day on 25 th September. You might consider inviting a group of young people to walk with you on the Camino of Cork from Kealkill near Bantry along the ancient way of Saint Finbarr to arrive in Gougane Barra for the 3:00pm Mass. It is hill walking at its best so suitable attire is required and good walking boots

10 Invocation Festival An annual festival of prayer and discernment held at Oscott College in Birmingham, England for young people aged ish who are discerning God s will for them in their lives It offers time renowned keynote speakers; workshops and discussion on vocation, prayer, living a life of faith today all with other interested young people Oscott College is one of the English seminaries and this festival in June each year is organised by the Vocations Directors of England & Wales in conjunction with the National Religious Vocations Office For more information see

11 Knock Summer Festival Specially for young people! An invitation annually to the young people of Ireland to join together at our National Shrine in Knock for a festival of faith celebrating all that it means to be a catholic in Ireland today and how we as young people can play our part in bringing alive the Gospel message in our communities Time for prayer, music, workshops on a variety of themes, couch talk, witness, keynote speakers and much more. For more details see shrine.ie/youthfestival

12 Knockadoon Folk Liturgy Music in Liturgy Interested in learning new music, meeting others involved in music ministry in church fancy a week away in August then may be this is for you... The Knockadoon Music and Liturgy weeks have been running since In that year the first Folk Liturgy was held. Its purpose was to help people who are involved in the ministry of liturgical music, with a particular emphasis on Folk Music. The course was designed as an experiential week, where the participants not only learn new music but are also introduced to new instruments and participate in the Liturgy of Morning and Evening Prayer and the Eucharist. Alongside the music and liturgy elements are many other activities for young people to get involved in What about gathering a group of young people from your parish to go together Tell your parish music group/folk group about this opportunity For details see:

13 Leaving Home Every year many of our young people leave their families for a new adventure in a distant land whether for study for work for the gap year experience for voluntary service Why not offer a prayer card and good wishes to them and a prayer card to their families who are left behind let them all know the parish cares for them. Prayer for parents/families He/She is far away may be lonely and alone. He/She is starting a new life in a city where they know no one and none notice him/her. Give him/her the courage O God, to face each new day, to find work that gives meaning, to discover friends who enrich his/her life. Guard him/her from all danger and harm from disease and despair and from all that threatens to destroy the gift of life you have given to them. All this we ask in the name of Christ. Amen Prayer for parents and for the children who are leaving home Eternal God we thank you for the gift of love; for shared joys and tears; for laughter and hope; for the wholeness of being one. Bless those whom we hold dear in our hearts protect us all from evil, sustain us all in times of trouble, sanctify us in our work and play. Be with us in our remembering and our connecting while we apart through Christ our Lord whose love makes us lovers. Amen

14 Prayer for Emigrants Saint Colmcille who suffered the pain and grief of exile. Watch over the children of Ireland scattered throughout the world obtain for them solace and courage and keep them close to God in every trial and temptation Amen. Young People

15 Linking up In many of our parishes there are already a number of organisations established for young people and where many of our young parishioners enjoy spending their leisure time. The parish could build links with such groups as: - Macra na Feirme they organise a national Know your Neighbour weekend in early summer and the parish could join forces with them to get to know each other - Foroige offer many and varied activities for young people invite them to lead your liturgy one Sunday or to get involved in special events in your parish - Ogra Chorcai working in the city area offer a variety of activities for young people seek ways to link faith to the work of this group and link your work to theirs - Local sports clubs celebrate the sporting success of your local clubs by inviting to bring the silverware and medals to the parish one weekend - Comhaltas invite them to play some traditional music for Mass on an occasional weekend for St Patrick s Day, St Finbarr, St Brigid etc.

16 Operation Christmas Child Giving the gift of love across the globe Since the early 1990 s Operation Christmas Child has been sending shoe boxes at Christmas to children across the world. In 2006 over one and half million children received one of these gifts. Many of these children are living in orphanages, hospitals, homes, in the street or in families stuck in the poverty trap. Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes focus on the true meaning of Christmas bringing hope, joy and a little of God s love from far away into difficult situations. Taking part is easy. Fill a shoe box with a range of small items (see web site for list) suitable for your chosen gender and age group then you can send a box of love to Eastern Europe or Southern Africa. There are local collection points across the diocese. Why not organise this Christmas project with the children and families in your parish? To find out more: visit: The web site offers all the information what to put in the box; how to get labels; where to drop off your boxes; promotional material and much more

17 Parish Youth Group Why not start a youth group in your parish How 1. Decide on a age range etc experience tells us the wide age ranges don t always work well so target a group 2. Engage committed leaders for the group and complete the Garda Vetting forms 3. Talk to your parish safeguarding reps for advice on what you need to put in place to begin guidelines for best practice 4. Make a plan of how often you will meet every week, every month 5. Plan the first few sessions then as you get to know the group you will discover what they want what they like etc 6. Be open to introducing them to new experiences 7. Make if different to other youth organisations base your session to include prayer faith based activities 8. Look through the rest of the ideas in the handbook for young people you can incorporate many of these ideas in your group sessions 9. Create a space where young people feel welcome, cared for, encouraged by the faith community help them to become the young leaders in our parish communities of the future 10. If you want more help, ideas, information about getting started talk to Sr Karen in the PDO

18 Prayer around the Cross A special time of prayer designed for the evening of Good Friday to be led by young people for their parish community It involves five characters, a leader and musicians/singers to lead the chants from the Taize community It is simple to organise, only needs a small group of young people and yet can have a surprising impact on the parish community who gather around the cross at the end of this day For text and music and any help contact Sr Karen at the PDO

19 Prayer during Exam time Every summer many of our young parishioners sit exams in college the Leaving Cert the Junior Cert and these are times when the parish community can offer its support through prayer. Why not? Offer one Sunday Mass before the exams begin for the intentions of all the students and their families. Before Mass you might offer everyone the opportunity to place the names of student sitting exams into a basket which can be brought to the altar as part of the opening of the Mass. This basket can be left at the foot of the altar during the exam season as a reminder to al to pray Light a special candle in the Church during the exam season with a prayer displayed near by for anyone calling to the Church to pray at this time Before or after weekday Mass pray a special prayer for those sitting exams Print the prayer for exams in your parish newsletter and invite students and their families to pray together at home during exam time As the clergy make their first Friday calls before the exams begin they might invite the sick and housebound to be part of the this chain of prayer for students sitting exams Prayer for those sitting exams Lord, pour out your Spirit of wisdom on all students doing exams at this time. Help them to remain calm, to attend carefully to the questions asked, to think clearly, to remember accurately, and to express themselves well.

20 Grant that they may reflect the best of the work they have done, and the best of the teaching they have received. When the results come out may they be satisfied that they did their best, and may whatever path they choose in life bring them happiness. May your love be upon them O Lord as they place all their trust in you. Amen Young People

21 Reaching out to the Homeless Thinking outside the cardboard box! We know that in our towns and cities some of our brothers and sisters are homeless and spend their days walking the streets, sitting on benches or on the wall at the corner of the street and their nights in a shop doorway if they cannot get a bed in one of the shelters available. Our young people are blessed with a great sense of justice and this might the project to get them motivated in your parish! Meet the young people talk to them about homelessness and what home means to them. Then get them ask parishioners to gather unwanted, clean scarves, hats and gloves that can be donated to the local Simon organisation or the Penny Dinners in Cork for distribution to the homeless poor in the cold weather a good time to organise this is in conjunction with World Homeless day in October. You can then arrange for the young people to visit one of the organisations working with the homeless to deliver the parish donation For more details see:

22 Reek Sunday The annual event when people of all ages make their way to Croagh Patrick to follow in the foot steps of Saint Patrick and climb what is commonly known as Ireland s holy mountain. The annual day known as Reek Sunday is the last Sunday of July and from dawn until dusk pilgrims climb to the summit where Mass is celebrated at regular intervals and them make their way down again. Why not invite a group of young people from your parish to travel together on pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick?

23 Saint Valentine February 14 th is a day when we remember in a special way the one we love Why not invite engaged couples to come this evening for a special blessing of their rings to mark this special day The blessing ceremony can be found in the Book of Blessings

24 Suicide Prevention Suicide affects all ages and all sectors of our society today but we know that many of those who contemplate suicide are young people and we as a faith community have a duty to play our part in its prevention. We need be aware of the signs of those contemplating such an action, we need to offer care, support and friendship to those affected by mental health problems, and we need to reach out to families who have experienced bereavement through suicide. We can make a special effort in our parish communities around the 10 th September which is World Suicide Prevention Day the week surrounding this date from the Sunday to the Saturday is set aside as Suicide Awareness Week when we are asked to pause and think about what we can do as individuals and as community to help the work of suicide prevention in our communities. - We need to encourage people to seek help - We need to make available information in a discreet manner in our church and parish buildings - We need to inform ourselves of the warning signs - We need to reach out Essential telephone numbers are: Console national helpline: Their website is The local office is at: Console House, 1a Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork tel: Samaritans emergency help line: Aware help line: Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland can be contacted via:

25 A prayer you might like to include in your newsletter at this time: Lord, Help me to take one day at a time not modelled by the past, or scared of the future. Shelter me from the anxieties of the unknown and help me to put aside all fearful thoughts and imaginations. In time of need, enlighten me to see that help is near and give me the strength to reach out and let someone know. Let there always be someone there to help me. Lord of my today and tomorrows, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me that you and I together cannot handle. Amen

26 T & YouCat A group especially for young adults meeting monthly to reflect on and discuss the Catholic faith based on the You Cat book - Tea & sandwiches available from 5:30pm - 6pm to 7pm reflection and discussion Held at the Pastoral Development Office contact the office

27 Trad for Trócaire Invite your local young traditional musicians to come together for this annual event held by Trócaire in conjunction with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann. An opportunity to make music together and to raise funds and awareness for Trócaire You can host an event in your parish.link up with your local Comhaltas group For more information see:

28 Volunteering Opportunities for young people Young People Many young people seek to be of service to others in a variety of different ways There are many organisations offering opportunities for young at home and overseas, short term or longer stays in a variety of locations. You might be the catalyst that gets someone in your parish thinking of getting involved in a project! You might even organise a group of young people from your parish to sign up together to a project. A few ideas you might consider - Serve is a Redemptorist Project offering opportunities for volunteering overseas on a 4 7 week summer placement or a 2 week placement in Belfast See: for more information - Habitat for Humanity builds houses for those who have nowhere to call home. They offer two week youth placements and are also looking for Church partnerships see: - Barretstown Camps offer week long and weekend stays for families and children with long term sickness volunteers are needed to become Cara s (friends) to the families and the children to encourage to them to get involved in the activities on offer. Also, required are medically trained volunteers for the Med Shed. Interested visit - Want to spend a summer in India? Then why not volunteer with the Hope Foundation a Cork based charity offering opportunities to travel with other young people to India as volunteers in the many Hope projects there see: for more information - Lourdes in June every year our diocese brings over 100 sick and elderly people to Lourdes for 6 days and we need a large number of volunteers to help in a variety of ways. A special opportunity is offered to year olds to come and see & be a helping hand. For more information contact Sr Karen at the office

29 - If want to spend a longer time volunteering the Presentation Brothers offer a special programme for primary and secondary teachers of 10 months in their volunteering programme. For more details see: - Building Blitz annually in November volunteers travel from Ireland to South Africa with the Niall Melon Township Trust to build homes for the local people for more information see:

30 World Smile Day Invite young people to get involved initiative to bring a smile to the face of the world! Gather young people to make commitment cards and invite them to commit to doing a random act of kindness today guaranteed to bring a smile to someone s face For more information and ideas see:

31 World Youth Day This event was born from an encounter in 1984 between young people and Pope John Paul II who in 1985 named it World Youth Day, since then the event has travelled the globe with the Pope inviting young people to join him in a week long celebration of faith culminating in the World Youth Day Vigil and Mass. From July 2013 young people are invited to Rio in Brazil under the theme Go, make disciples of all nations Mt.28:19 These days will be preceded by Missionary week across Brazil offering young people the chance to participate in spiritual activities, works of solidarity with local communities, as well as missionary and cultural events. Local families will host the young people to give them an authentic experience of local life. The main events will take place in Rio - The Opening Mass and the Way of the Cross will be on Copacabana Beach - The Closing Mass will be at Santa Cruz Military Airbase For more information or to register a group:

32 YouCat This book called YouCat (short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church) has been developed with the help of young Catholics and written for young Catholics teens and young adults. YouCat is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. It is an easy to read commentary and summary of the Catholic faith and is cross referenced to make further exploration easy. It was prepared and launched at World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid and is available in many languages buy some for the young people in your parish community or establish to read and reflect together While its aimed at young people it can be used by all ages wanting to have an easy to read book explaining the Catholic faith Available from Veritas in Cork at a special price of 10euro to parishes in Cork and Ross

33 Young Adults in Lourdes Each year we offer an opportunity for young adults (18 35) to join the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 11 th to 16 th June a specially organised group who prepare together, stay in a hotel together, pray together and work with the sick in the Acceuil (hospital) together We offer a subsidised fare to all young adults who choose to join us for these 5 days during which we will - Walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and share her story - Discuss and reflect on the message of the 17 apparitions of Lourdes - Share in prayer and liturgies with the diocesan pilgrimage - Explore the meaning of pilgrimage and why so many people come to Lourdes - Assist with the sick of the diocese who come on pilgrimage to Lourdes - Spend time in prayer, reflection and discussion together as young Catholics For details contact: Sr Karen in the Pastoral Development Office karen.kent@corkandross.org A great opportunity for parishes to encourage our young people to get involved in this diocesan pilgrimage and be of service to others

34 Young Social Innovators YSI in partnership with the Vodafone Ireland Foundation is about imaging how the world can be different and then making the difference It is aimed at year olds and invited them to design a project and make it happen a project that will make a difference in their local community and ultimately to the world at large YSI offers professional development, support and recognition to educators (schools or youth organisations) who facilitate YSI programmes Why not challenge the young people in your parish to design a project, register with YSI and then get started! For more information see:

35 Youth 2000 Youth leading youth to the heart of the Church Youth 2000 is an international movement of young people called to spread the Good News of the Catholic Faith and share this experience with other young people. There are over 40 weekly prayer groups happening around Ireland; weekend retreats throughout the year; a summer festival; an annual ball and many other faith and social events all organised by young people for young people. For information about events, groups, retreats in Cork contact the Munster Regional Leaders: - John McEneaney: Naomi Collins: Two weekly prayer groups are hosted in our diocese: - Mondays at 7:30pm in Saint Mary s, Pope s Quay - Thursdays at 7:45pm in the Franciscan Friary, Liberty Street - October 2012 sees a new Prayer group in Blackrock! The annual summer youth festival is in August in Clonmacnois For all information about Youth 2000 events see: