News
The BCYS Mission Statement
The Birmingham Catholic Youth Service seeks to understand, encourage and empower young people in their search for meaning in life, to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ to wholeness, friendship and community.
The Birmingham Catholic Youth Service seeks to understand, encourage and empower young people in their search for meaning in life, to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ to wholeness, friendship and community.
We aim to achieve our mission by working with 11-25 year olds across our Archdiocese. We provide training and support for parishes that have, or are looking to start a youth group. We organise events, retreats and pilgrimages, locally and Diocesan wide. We also provide opportunities for young adults and run young leader training for teenagers.
This website is designed to keep you informed about our current events as well as reporting on past events and signposting resources and other opportunities. This 'home' page will give you a flavour of what’s happening - see the various links or menu on the left for more detailed information.
Flame 2012
The Flame Congress is a National Catholic event for young people, due to take place at Wembley Arena on Saturday 24th March. Thousands of young Catholics are invited to attend and participate. It looks to be an incredible opportunity for any young person aged 15+ years - see Flame 2012
The Flame Congress is a National Catholic event for young people, due to take place at Wembley Arena on Saturday 24th March. Thousands of young Catholics are invited to attend and participate. It looks to be an incredible opportunity for any young person aged 15+ years - see Flame 2012
WE STILL HAVE TICKETS AVAILABLE - AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT, BOOK NOW!
World Youth Day, July 2013
‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ - Matthew 28: 19
Pope Benedict XVI announced at the Final Mass, before millions of young pilgrims at the military airbase of Cuatro Vientos in Madrid that Rio de Janeiro will host the next World Youth Day in 2013.
BCYS will again be coordinating a group from the Diocese, and are looking for young people that in July 2013, will be between the ages of 18 & 35 years.
To find out more come to a Rio Information evening at one of the following venues
January 30th
Our Lady and St. Hugh, Witney (OX28 5YA), 7.30pm
February 1st
Cardinal Newman School, Sandpits Lane, Coventry (CV6 2FR), 7.30pm
Cardinal Newman School, Sandpits Lane, Coventry (CV6 2FR), 7.30pm
February 7th
St. Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster (DY11 6DR), 7.30pm, or
St. Chads, Birmingham (Masterson Room) (B4 6EU), 7.30pm
St. Ambrose RC Church, Kidderminster (DY11 6DR), 7.30pm, or
St. Chads, Birmingham (Masterson Room) (B4 6EU), 7.30pm
February 19th
Alton Castle, Castle Hill Rd, Alton (ST10 4TT), 5.00pm
Alton Castle, Castle Hill Rd, Alton (ST10 4TT), 5.00pm
Register your interest by emailing WYD Rio or on facebook ‘BCYS World Youth Day RIO 2013’.
Or you can text your details and preferred info evening to the WYD Hotline 07867 882 940 or call Jackie at the BCYS main office on 01675 466912
Lourdes Pilgrimage - 2nd-8th June 2012
Are you Yr 10 –Yr 13 and would like to join this year’s Lourdes pilgrimage?
If your school is not taking part in the Diocesan pilgrimage, then the Soli House team would like to welcome you to join their group for an opportunity of a lifetime of faith, fellowship and service!
Cost: Approx. £500
In you are interested, you can contact us for further details.
Young Adults
There is much going on on for young adults within our Archdiocese. Many of you will know that for the last 5 years we've held a monthly Mass for young adults on the 2nd Friday, at St Michael's Moor Street. It's recently had a re-vamp. For more details of this and other opportunities please have a look at our young adults page.
National Youth Sunday
Although National Youth Sunday has now past, the resources on the theme ‘Hello? Can you hear me?' are still available for parishes to use with their youth groups, or in workshops.
Please click here for our resource pack.
December 2011
Summer Camp 2012
BCYS is planning on joining with the American Lifeteen Community to organise a summer camp in 2012 for young people and will be held at Alton Castle between July 23rd & 27th. Please watch out for more details.
October 2011
BCYS is planning on joining with the American Lifeteen Community to organise a summer camp in 2012 for young people and will be held at Alton Castle between July 23rd & 27th. Please watch out for more details.
October 2011
Youth Services Review
Following that announcement we have been working towards one united Service under the umbrella of the Kenelm Youth Trust, and formalising the Trust's status and setting up the board of trustees, role, sub-groups etc. We shall be providing greater details in January of the way forward.
Following that announcement we have been working towards one united Service under the umbrella of the Kenelm Youth Trust, and formalising the Trust's status and setting up the board of trustees, role, sub-groups etc. We shall be providing greater details in January of the way forward.
for further information, and to read the updates please see the Youth Services Board section of this website.
November 2011
Soli House News
Soli House are starting now to recruitment their team for 2012/13. So if you will be at least 18 by September 2012, and you would be interested in taking some time out to devote to young people then this might be for you. Click on the Gap Year Opportunities page - OR you can check out Soli's brand new website
CAFOD
Amy Fox is the new CAFOD Diocesan Officer (Youth) for the Birmingham Diocese. Amy is there to support youth leaders across the diocese to inspire young people to put their faith into action by engaging in global justice issues.
She can help with ideas, resources and training, and along with CAFOD’s youth volunteers, Amy is also available to visit youth groups to run tailored sessions on global justice and CAFOD’s work.
Amy will be at the CAFOD Birmingham office on Mondays and Thursdays, if you’d like to get in touch you can call on 01922 722 944 or via email.
She can help with ideas, resources and training, and along with CAFOD’s youth volunteers, Amy is also available to visit youth groups to run tailored sessions on global justice and CAFOD’s work.
Amy will be at the CAFOD Birmingham office on Mondays and Thursdays, if you’d like to get in touch you can call on 01922 722 944 or via email.
Million Minutes of Sponsored Silence
Million Minutes is a charity that supports young people's projects to transform their own lives and their world, living out Catholic social teaching in the 21st Century.
To read about how Million Minutes is supporting nyouth work in our Diocese, please see the Fund Raising page.
"Living the 12 steps"
On Saturday 8th October, BCYS hosted a retreat day for parish youth leaders at Oscott College. The day was led by Fr Brian McGinley, parish priest of St George’s Worcester, and was entitled ‘Living the 12 steps’. See our Archive page.