Over 160 young adults from across the island of Ireland gathered Saturday last for the inaugural ‘Intentional Young Adult Ministry’ gathering in Clongowes Wood College, Clane Co Kildare.
Themed Into the deep and hosted by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the event was comprised of participant-led activities, reflections and the celebration of Mass.
Guest speaker for the Into the deep gathering was Fr. Stephen Wang, Archdiocese of Westminster, England, who founded the Sycamore programme for faith formation.
Addressing the participants, Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomed the representatives of dioceses and young adult ministry groups from across the country.
While there are many young people involved in Youth 2000, Alpha, Sycamore, Lourdes Pilgrimages and other projects inspired by movements and religious in Ireland, there are challenges to be recognised, he said.
“The context of Youth Ministry has changed so much. As a young person you have to stand out from your peers, and the culture does not support you as it did in the past. When we think of the small numbers of young people in the Church in Ireland today we could well feel despair, desolation - like we have fished all night long and caught nothing.”
“We are called to go beyond our traditional boundaries and meet young adults where they are - both physically and spiritually. We are called to go to new shores and to connect with people one on one.”
Organisers Gerard Hanley, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Miriam Goulding, with keynote speaker Fr Stephen Wang (Catholic Communications Office)
