Youth Ministry
The Diocean Youth Ministry team resource and support the young church (Eaglais óg) in the Diocese of Limerick. Here is some information about our varied programs & events. Please contact us HERE to find out more:
- Anois
- Muinteareas Iosa
- Lourdes youth pilgrimage
- Lourdes! The Musical
- Annual Diocesan youth projects
- Keeping the Faith - Youth Project 2011/2012
- World Youth Day pilgrimage
- Childrens Liturgy Workshop
- Confirmation retreats
- Secondary School retreats
- Training for extra ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for Secondary Schools
- Responding & Resourcing Parish Requests
- Support for young people in the Limerick area
- Safeguarding Children Statement
To read our review of the year to date please link on this link :
The Year that was 2010/2011
Anois is a leadership training programme run in conjunction with secondary schools for students in transition/fifth year. It has been running in the diocese for over 10 years. It is a residential programme run in St. Patrick’s College in Thurles. The Anois programme offers young people the chance to develop their leadership skills as well as giving them the opportunity to build up their confidence and self esteem and make lasting friendships.
Dates for this year's programme are as follows:
Week 1 Jan 8 - 12 Week 2 Jan 15-19
An information evening for parents of students attending this years programme will be held in the Pastoral Centre, Denmark St at 7.30pm on Thursday January 5th 2012.
For more information click on the link: Parents Information...
Parental Consent & Code of Behaviour Form
If you want to apply to be a leader on this year's Anois Programme please download, complete and return these forms to Aoife in the Pastoral Centre. Leaders must attend training - Thursday November 24th from 7.00pm to 9.30pm and Thursday January 5th from 11.00am to 5.00pm in the Pastoral Centre.
Garda Vetting Form (This form must be printed back to back on one page)
Leader Code of Behaviour -Agreement
MUINTEARAS ÍOSA
Muintearas Íosa is a diocesan youth group that has been providing young people with opportunities to gather for a wide variety of experiences and in a wide variety of settings since 1978. Muintearas Íosa events vary from one day events, evening events, overnight stays to an annual 10 day stay in Brú na Gráige, in Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry. Members must be over 16.
Check out Muintearas Iosa on Facebook to find out about any upcoming events and to see photos from previous events!
Upcoming Events!
Trad for Trócaire - Come join us for an evening of craic and ceol on the 30th of September from 6-8pm in the centre! We'll have live music on the night and a chance to brush up on our Céilí dancing from the Brú!! All are welcome with consent so please look at the links below. Thanks and hope to see you on the night!
Muintearas Íosa 'On the Trail' - To coincide with National Trails Day on October 2nd 2011 we plan to walk 10km (and yes we promise it is 10 km!) from Newcastle West to Templeglantine. The route will take us on the old Railway line. Having walked there will have refreshments and be bused back to Newcastle West. The walk begins at 2pm and we should be back in Newcastlewest by 7pm!
This event will only take place if there is enough interest.
If you are interested in attending either of the events above please download, print and fill in the appropriate booking form below (under 18 or over 18) and bring it with you to the event. These events will only take place if there are enough people interested in attending so please let us know if you'll be there by phoning the centre (061-400133) or else log on to the Muintearas Íosa Facebook Page to confirm you'll be there.
To download and print a Muintearas Íosa Booking, Consent & Code of Behaviour for participants aged under 18 click HERE
For a Muintearas Íosa Adult Membership Form for those aged 18 or over click HERE
LOURDES
Every year we take between 80-90 young people to Lourdes as part of the D
iocesan Pilgrimage. The young people that we take work for the week as helpers; bringing patients to and from the various ceremonies, as well as talking, listening and getting to know them. They also get to meet new people, and make new friends. Lourdes is a very unique place and it offers young people a chance to experience their faith in a very real and positive way.
Booking Policy and Form for 2012 is available to download and print. Click on the link below. (Date for submission of application forms is 3 Nov 2011)
LOURDES 2012 APPLICATION & INFORMATION PACK
LOURDES THE MUSICAL
“Lourdes - The Musical” is a celebration of the spirit and talent of the young people who have been part of the Lourdes Youth Pilgrimage over the last five years. We hope that it will give people an opportunity to gather, to meet up with old friends and to remember their own Lourdes experience.
The Musical has been written and inspired by songs from the Closing Liturgies of the past five+ years, as well as those used in the Song Competition. We have also included some of the other memories and moments that have stood out for us.
We want to involve as many people as possible to make this a really special and unique event, so if you have travelled to Lourdes as a youth pilgrim or been involved in any capacity with the pilgrimage we would love you to take part. Obviously there will be a commitment required in terms of rehearsals etc but when it goes global and takes over on Broadway and the West End it’ll all be worth it!
We plan to stage the show in Mary Immaculate’s new state of the art Theatre in March and rehearsals will begin every Thursday from 6-8pm starting on January 26th. However before then we will be holding an Information Evening on Friday, November 18th in the Pastoral Centre to give you a better sense of what’s involved and so that we have an idea of how many people would be interested in taking part.
Obviously we will need actors, singers, musicians etc, but we also need people for the Chorus, Dancers, Wardrobe, Backstage, Hair & Make-up, Technologically minded people for Audio Visual stuff, Ushers, and those who could help put the Programme together and most importantly sell tickets! As you can see there are many ways of being involved and we are eager to include as many of you who are interested as possible.
If you have any particular memories that you think should be included please post them on our LourdesYouth Limerick Facebook page. We really need any photographs you have that capture the spirit of Lourdes, you can email them to us at awalsh@ldpc.ie or codonnell@ldpc.ie We hope to use lots of photographs from the year’s past but if you’d rather not feature in the photos please let us know.
You can also use Facebook to let us know if you’re interested in taking part and if you can attend the information night on Friday 18 November. Please mention this event to friends and family who have a Lourdes connection and might be interested in taking part.
To Download a Lourdes! The Musical Parental Consent Form click the link HERE!
DIOCESAN PROJECTS
Each year we come up with a new project that can help young people to engage with their faith. In 2010 we launched a prayer book Prayers of our People which came about as the result of a Diocesan Project run in 2008. These projects are generally run in conjunction with schools but parish youth groups, youth clubs or children’s liturgy groups are always welcome to get involved.
Diocesan Youth Project 2011/2012 is called ‘Keeping the Faith’
This year’s project invites students to gather traditions of our faith from parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends, particularly traditions that we are in danger of losing or traditions that are new to them. For more information please open the links below.
Keeping the Faith Poster and Information for Teachers/Parish Co-Ordinators
Keeping the Faith Entry Form and Guidelines for young people
Closing Date for Entries: Friday 30th March 2012
Prayers of Our People is still on sale at the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Denmark St, The Abbey Bookshop, O'Connell St and the Knock Shrine Bureau, Little Catherine St, Limerick. All proceeds from the sale of the book go towards youth ministry in the Diocese of Limerick.
WORLD YOUTH DAY
World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world. 42 people took part in this year's Diocesan Pilgrimage and we joined with with 2.2 million other pilgrims to celebrate our faith. The trip was a great success and we are all looking forward to Rio De Janeiro in 2013!
For more on the World Youth Day trip see The Year that was 2010/2011
CHILDREN’S LITURGY WORKSHOP
An annual workshop offers people who are involved in running children’s liturgies or children’s masses an opportunity to get together and share ideas, resources and success stories. As well as benefitting from each other’s experiences new resources and ideas are shared on the night. Teachers and parents involved in parish sacramental preparation programmes may also benefit from this evening.
This year's workshop will take place on Thursday Sep 29th at 7.30pm in the Pastoral Centre, Denmark Street, Limerick - Booking is essential. Cost: €5 per person or €20 for School/Parish groups.
CONFIRMATION RETREAT / WORKSHOP
Confirmation classes throughout the diocese can avail of confirmation retreats/workshops. This experience offers young people an opportunity to reflect on the sacraments they have received as well as their upcoming confirmation. Sacraments are explored through the medium of games, song & group work.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS TRAINING FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
This programme is usually offered to fifth/sixth year students. Over the course of the morning / afternoon we explore the meaning of Eucharist, the significance of the symbols used and the practicalities of being a Eucharistic Minister.
SECONDARY SCHOOL RETREATS
For more information please visit the Diocesan Advisor to Secondary Schools Webpage.
RESOURCING & RESPONDING TO PARISH REQUESTS
If you are interested in starting a youth ministry initiative for the young people of your parish / pastoral area and need some help / ideas to get going then please do contact us. We will hopefully be able to offer you some resources that may be helpful or at least point you in the right direction, as well as offering support, encouragement and advice.
Support Groups for Young People in Limerick
If you or a young person you know are experiencing difficulty in any area of your life, help and support are available. Please click the following link to see a list of various support networks or groups that may be of help to you or a young person you know.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN STATEMENT
Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre values and encourages the participation of children in the life of the Church and is committed to best practice, which protects children from harm and abuse. Staff, volunteers and leaders accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children harm. These responsibilities include:
- Adopting best practice child protection guidelines in accordance with the standards named in the National Board for Safeguarding Children Standards & Guidance Document.
- Ensuring that children will be listened to and heard.
- Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff, volunteers, clergy and religious.
- Sharing information about concerns with the relevant agencies and involving parents and children appropriately.
- Carefully following the procedures for recruiting, training and managing staff and volunteers, clergy and religious.
- Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
- Being committed to reviewing our policy and good practice procedures on an annual basis.
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