Gerard Gallagher offers some ideas for promoting youth ministry in parishes
Ten summers ago, over two million young people attended the memorable Jubilee World Youth Day in Rome. Thousands travelled from Ireland. For many who attended, it was one of those experiences that helped change the direction of their life. Their faith mattered now.
Many got involved in youth ministry events on their return. It was invitational youth ministry. What has dramatically changed in youth ministry in Ireland now is the lack of invitations given to youth. The failure to invite our young people to take an active role within the life of the Church will have major consequences in the future.
A recent study in the USA noted that nearly one third of those children baptised into the Catholic Church no longer identify themselves as Catholic once they reach adulthood. The average age at which many cease to identify themselves of the Church is 21.
A major pastoral question emerges, what are we doing as Church to invite this millennial generation to consider that our faith is worth living and keeping?
Are we working hard to discover new methods, means and a language that can be understood by our young people so that the Gospel message is presented to them in a fresh way?
A recurring question that I am often asked is what the Church is doing for young people. A related question is why so many young people seem to abandon active participation in the Church as they mature into adulthood.
While there is no simple answer, it is clear that the longer it takes for everyone in the Church to work together, another generation of our young people is in danger of passing through our hands. It is important to plan and prepare in youth ministry. Poor planning will lead to poor results.
In this article, I offer a simple method of reaching out using Gospel inspired events that will appeal to young people. The challenge is to you the reader - to bring this good news to the attention of our young people. It is an invitation.
There is a responsibility on all of us who reflect on the topic of youth ministry to develop a clear approach to what has to happen. There is a direct responsibility on those who work with, and on behalf of, young people to reach out to young people with new methods and means. Clearly, young people will not participate if they are not invited. We need to have an approach of invitation in all that we do in youth ministry.
Summer festivals
Young people in Ireland have a love of attending festivals. Whether it was the Fleadh Cheoil in the 1980s, Slane in the 90s or Oxygen in recent years - young people like to attend youth led events. It has been part of their rite of passage.
In the Church, there are similar initiatives. World Youth Day is the international approach but, in Ireland, there are two distinct youth festivals that any parish serious about reaching out to young people should consider inviting young people to attend.
If you are planning to start an outreach to young people, I have included a number of non-parish events that can enrich a parish programme later in the year. If properly approached, the establishing of a youth ministry in your parish could emerge.
Over the next couple of months, a number of festivals will be arranged that are of direct interest to young people. For anyone wishing to start a programme of youth ministry in a parish, these festivals can provide the necessary spring-board for initiating a means for work with young people in a parish context.
Knock Shrine will host its annual summer youth festival from June 25 to 27. This festival is supported by many dioceses around the country. Knock is our national Marian Shrine and provides the backdrop to an intensive, creative and well-run summer festival.
At the Knock Summer Festival, young people will have the opportunity to listen to quality speakers and animators, such as Andrew O'Connell and Sr Helen Prejean.
Music is an important element of any youth festival. Elation has emerged as one of the most consistent contributors to youth ministry and its music. They will provide moments for prayer enhancement with praise, worship, traditional and original.
There will also be many workshops for young people to reflect on their faith. However, at the core of this festival is prayer, with each other and with other young people. Knock will provide a fitting backdrop to young people. There is an age limit of young people aged between 18 and 35 years.
Clonmacnoise Youth Festival will take place between August 12 and 15. Youth 2000 has excelled in recent years with its ability to provide many events around prayer, where young people can encounter the message of the Gospel.
Recently, it celebrated 20 years in Ireland. Its ability to ''lead youth to the centre of the Church'', as its motto goes, is also equalled with determination to keep reaching out to new younger generations of young people.
Prayer meetings
Whether it is regional prayer meetings, Christmas retreats, World Youth Day - all of the Youth 2000 events are based on faith and evangelisation. In Clonmacnoise, Youth 2000 takes over a green-field site and, over the week, provides accommodation, food and faith to many young people. Young people hear great talks, music and creative youth liturgies. Young people aged between 16 and 35 can attend.
Parish pastoral councils often wonder where to begin. It is good to have a plan. A 12-month plan in parishes is an ideal timeframe. World Youth Day 2011 will take place in Madrid in July 2011. Every parish in Ireland could be represented if they employ some vision now. This is an ideal time to start preparation for World Youth Day, so ensure it is on your parish agenda.
From experience, one of the most fruitful endeavours about pilgrimages with young people are the friendships with faith that emerge.
The Office of Evangelisation will lead an ecumenical pilgrimage to Taize France from July 11 to 18. This is the first diocesan pilgrimage to Taize for many years and Archbishop Martin will lead the pilgrimage.
Taize is one of the most inspiring places to bring young people.
It is a tent village and for generations of people, it has provided an experience of faith based on prayer, liturgy and music that inspired many of the best youth leaders in Ireland.
Taize is based around the reading of scripture and the invitation to live that reading in your life. Young people travel in large and small groups. Taize is unique in that it can reach out to many young people who are searching for meaning in their life. Parishes who would like to invite or maybe sponsor a young person can book places on the website www.yearofevangelisation.ie
On our own doorstep, there are two remarkable pilgrimages that can challenge our young people. Consider organising a day trip to climb Croagh Patrick - The Reek - or even to participate in the three-day Lough Derg pilgrimage.
Both include endurance and effort. Both are deeply historical and have huge potential for involving young people who may or not have attempted anything like this before. Both are outdoors and just need a good leader with good preparation to lead.
Whether it is a pilgrimage or a festival, these can provide the perfect transition into pariah pastoral planning in September. As parishes wind down for the summer months, it is important that we use this opportunity to refresh and challenge our young people with faith.
Rather than lament the absence of young people - why not take a creative approach and devise a plan for your parish? Pick an event.
If there are some young people already involved in your parish, invite them to participate in some larger youth events. Challenge them to bring a friend. It is a good idea to follow-up later in the year in the parish. Young people can only hear about what we organise if we bring it to their attention. All of us need to become disciples who invite our young people into having a relationship with Christ.
Information on Festivals and Pilgrimages for young people is available on the website www.yearofevange lisation.ie
Gerard Gallagher works in the Office of Evangelisation, Holy Cross Diocesan Centre Archdiocese of Dublin, Dublin 3, and is author of Are We Losing the Young Church? (Columba Press). Email ggallagher@abhouse.org
