News
Walk Amongst them – April 27th, Soli House
Our annual training day for voluntary youth leaders in parishes and lay chaplains in schools was a great success.Peter Lucas led the morning prayer, reflecting on the Emmaus Story and that through Jesus’ resurrection, that there is hope – even in loss, even in death. There is the hope that can only come from the God who loved us enough to send His Son to suffer death for our sins, and then to make that Son rise from the dead to walk with us each and every time we need to find Emmaus - a place where we are invited to encounter Jesus.
Ian MacDonald the Anglican Youth Officer for Oxfordshire gave an excellent Keynote talk on 'Boys, Young Men and Faith' and followed up later with a workshop on 'Finding volunteers & building team'. Ian operates a regular blog, which can be viewed at www.youthblog.org/
Notes from some of the workshops and the morning prayer reflection can all be downloaded here
The RISE theatre group led a workshop based on identity, and how drama, movement & expression can help young people with issues of self esteem.
Erin Doughty & Beccy Roseman looked at safer Internet practice and in the afternoon, there were workshops helping leaders to prepare their young people for Mass through; music, art & The Word.
Thanks to everybody who came along; to those who ran workshops, to Amy & Shingi from CAFOD, Fr Michael for staying with us all day & for celebrating Mass for us, ahnd to Soli House for their hospitality.
May 2013
Pilgrimage of the Relics of Don Bosco, January 8/9th 2013
A tremendous celebration of life, optimism and joy!
The relics of Don Bosco visited our Archdiocese as part of an extended pilgrimage of Great Britain, from Scotland to Southwark, facilitated by the Salesian community. For two days a packed-out St Chad’s welcomed, in particular, young people and those who work with them, drawn to this patron, father and teacher of youth.
The Relic Pilgrimage of Don Bosco was, in addition, something of a premiere for our youth service, now united under the guidance of Saint Kenelm. The team from Soli House led scripture stations, the rosary and letter-writing in the Cathedral Crypt. Lively dramas portraying Don Bosco’s priority for fun and games were brought to the table by members of Alton Castle. And BCYS prepared art displays and meditations, whilst coordinating the programme.
As well as Holy Mass on both days, young people visiting the Cathedral were given the opportunity for Reconciliation, Adoration, Meditation and Veneration. The essential message of Don Bosco – who wished always to visit Britain in life – that holiness exists in simply being cheerful, was spread to our young adults, one of whom commented, “He’s inspired me to be a nice person”. As the relics now leave us, continuing their tour of 130 nations until August 2015 (to coincide with the two hundredth anniversary of Don Bosco’s birth), our hearts retain his message, “Pray! Pray, but with faith – with living faith! Courage! Onward, ever onward!”
For additional information about the UK Relics Pilgrimage, including resources and the sale of memorabilia please go to www.donboscorelics.co.uk .
The Launch of the Kenelm Youth Trust 
In Kenelm we Trust! On Sunday 25th November, the Kenelm Youth Trust was formally launched at St Chad’s Cathedral. And what better occasion than National Youth Sunday at which to commit (and re-commit) all trustees, staff and volunteers who serve our young people across the Archdiocese, under the umbrella of the Kenelm Youth Trust?
Accordingly, the Kenelm Launch Mass gathered current and previous members of Alton Castle, Soli House and BCYS, and their families, Kenelm trustees and parish representatives. The Archbishop presided at this special service, with music provided by CJM, who led us with their new uplifting settings of the liturgy, the Mass of St Jude and the Mass of St Bernadette. At a reception that followed, the new Chaplaincy Coordinator was introduced; the good work of our youth centres and youth service was commemorated; and Sandra Satchell, Director of Youth Services, charted ambitious plans for the future. This year will see the initiation of building works at Alton and the opportunity for supporters to see the site and join the journey of re-development. As Chair of the Trust, Bishop Kenney then introduced members of the board.
In the day’s Gospel, Jesus spoke of His being born to ‘bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice’. The message leads us to consider our own witness and journey of faith as members of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The truth here is an incredibly strong history of residential experiences, retreats, training, and support for parish-based youth work. These different facilities have been witnessed, encouraged and guided over time by our illustrious leaders, Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville and Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
In Kenelm we Trust! On Sunday 25th November, the Kenelm Youth Trust was formally launched at St Chad’s Cathedral. And what better occasion than National Youth Sunday at which to commit (and re-commit) all trustees, staff and volunteers who serve our young people across the Archdiocese, under the umbrella of the Kenelm Youth Trust?
Accordingly, the Kenelm Launch Mass gathered current and previous members of Alton Castle, Soli House and BCYS, and their families, Kenelm trustees and parish representatives. The Archbishop presided at this special service, with music provided by CJM, who led us with their new uplifting settings of the liturgy, the Mass of St Jude and the Mass of St Bernadette. At a reception that followed, the new Chaplaincy Coordinator was introduced; the good work of our youth centres and youth service was commemorated; and Sandra Satchell, Director of Youth Services, charted ambitious plans for the future. This year will see the initiation of building works at Alton and the opportunity for supporters to see the site and join the journey of re-development. As Chair of the Trust, Bishop Kenney then introduced members of the board.
In the day’s Gospel, Jesus spoke of His being born to ‘bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice’. The message leads us to consider our own witness and journey of faith as members of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. The truth here is an incredibly strong history of residential experiences, retreats, training, and support for parish-based youth work. These different facilities have been witnessed, encouraged and guided over time by our illustrious leaders, Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville and Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
With the foundations now in place, we ask God’s blessing and your prayers at this exciting time of development for the young people of our Archdiocese and those who work with them.For more information about the inspiring projects, initiatives and mission of the Kenelm Youth Trust, or to become a Friend of Kenelm, please visit our new website.
A message from the Director of Youth Services
For more information on the work of Alton Castle, Soli House, and BCYS, and also key appointments, and future plans please see the latest Director's Report.
Chaplaincy
Beccy Roseman joined the team in September. Beccy is running an exciting and innovative program in
partnership with the Diocesan Education Service.
Beccy is offering training for all those involved in chaplaincy in the Birmingham Archdiocese. The aim of this project is to train and equip all those working in Catholic Secondary Schools to be able to share the gospel in fresh and relevant ways.
For more information and for details of this years Summer School, please see our Chaplaincy page.
Soli House News
Catch up on all the Soli House gossip, including news from the outreach team, and 'press the priest.
Alton Castle News
See the brand new Alton Castle website.
World Youth Day, July 2013
‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ - Matthew 28: 19Pope 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. The dates for WYD RIO are provisionally July 16th – 28th 2013.
The BCYS pilgrimage will be in 2 halves; for the first part, we are hoping to include a ‘mission trip’ possibly in one of the pacified favelas. Accommodation here will be very basic, possibly a school Hall floor, but all pilgrims will be together helping with the work of the project. The second part will move us into hotel accommodation in the centre of Rio for the WYD encounter with young people from around the world.
Exact costs are currently being determined and will be made available when more information has come through from RIO, but to start with fundraising we have given pilgrims that have registered so far a fundraising pack with ideas to get going.
During this time of preparation for pilgrims there will be regular meetings to enable young people to get to know one another and for the RIO team to support you and help with fundraising, some of these gatherings will be with the Archbishop Bernard who wishes to journey with the young people to RIO.
Please download your pilgrim pack here.
Young Adults
There is much going on on for young adults within our Archdiocese, please have a look at our young adults page.
There is much going on on for young adults within our Archdiocese, please have a look at our young adults page.