Youth leaders from across Ireland in Mt St Anne’s, Portarlington, Co Laois, meet to deepen relarionships, share wisdom & develop a vision for intentional youth ministry (Catholic Communications Office archive)
Over 15 and 16 May, the Bishops’ Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal, gathered youth ministers from across Ireland for a time of retreat and connection in the sunshine and warm hospitality of the Presentation Sisters’ retreat centre in Mount Saint Anne’s, Portarlington, Co Laois. The gathering allowed for a renewed commitment to the sacred work of youth ministry on the island.
The chair of the council, Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross, addressed the group, “God has called us to embrace youth ministry with Christian hope and energy. However, the landscape of Irish youth ministry today presents real challenges – vast dioceses with limited resources, single individuals responsible for entire regions, and the complex task of building bridges with young people who are unfamiliar with Church. Yet within these challenges lies opportunity. But we are inspired by Christ’s promise that ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,’ and I consider that the path forward is not primarily strategic, rather it is personal, rooted in authentic encounter with Jesus Christ.”
One participant, James McLoughlin from the diocese of Clogher, said, “It was great to spend time with others involved in youth ministry from across the country – an opportunity to share the highs and the lows, the joys and challenges that our work entails. I believe that collaboration, community and a strong network of all those involved in youth ministry is really important moving forward.”
Bishop Gavin said, “The gathering of youth ministers had a threefold purpose: to deepen relationships, share wisdom, and develop an emerging vision for intentional youth ministry in Ireland. The deliberate designation as a ‘retreat’, rather than a conference, created space for participants to listen both to one another and to the Holy Spirit. When leaders connected with others in the same boat, sharing stories over meals and in both structured and spontaneous conversations, we all discovered that we are not alone in struggling with our empty nets!”
‘Foot-washing ministry’
Bishop Gavin continued, “Jesus says, ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If the Master washes feet, how much more should we? Youth ministry in Ireland today is fundamentally a foot-washing ministry. It is about kneeling down in service, reaching out to support young people, especially those who feel vulnerable, to offer cleansing, care, and healing. Sometimes those feet are muddy with doubt and anxiety, sometimes calloused from loneliness and hardship, sometimes blistered from walking difficult paths. It is to those places we wash feet – bring Christ the healer and servant leader.
“Many of those in Youth Ministry have expressed challenges that they face, such as, working alone across vast distances, struggling with limited resources, feeling the weight of being the only paid person in youth ministry for an entire diocese. They have spoken of the difficulty in creating Catholic identity in a rapidly changing Ireland, of connecting with non-practicing families, of building bridges with young people who do not feel welcome in our local churches. These challenges are real. But remember: no servant is greater than the master. The path of struggle is the very path our Master walked. When ministry feels overwhelming, when the nets seem empty despite our best efforts, we walk in the footsteps of Christ Himself.
“The Bishops’ Council for Evangelisation, Catechetics and Pastoral Renewal’s vision extends beyond mere networking. It acknowledges that in our rapidly changing Ireland, young people have never been more in need of Christ’s hope-filled message. It has been faith enriching to hear participants share their recent experiences: seeing 150 young adults in silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament; involvement in pilgrimages; and, on young people approaching college chaplaincy with genuine curiosity. These experiences reveal the deep hunger for belonging, meaning, and authentic encounter with Christ that exists among Ireland’s youth. Meeting this hunger requires leaders who are themselves nourished, connected, and renewed in their mission.”
Bishop Gavin concluded his remarks with words inspired by Saint Joan of Arc. He said, “God has chosen each youth minister for this time and place. Let us remember the words of Saint Joan of Arc, ‘I am not afraid, God is with me. I was born for this!’ As our council prepares for the Jubilee of Youth gathering in Rome over July/August, and the upcoming ‘Dare to Hope’ event in Knock Shrine on 14 June, we continue to build our network of youth ministers and young people as we encounter, love and follow Christ.”
ENDS