Laity and clergy in Armagh are preparing to gather for a historic archdiocesan congress on youth, family and faith this weekend, March 20-22.
The congress, which invites people to reflect upon what it means to be “St Patrick’s people in Ireland today”, focuses on seven priorities identified in conversations with young adults, young families and parish delegates leading up to the weekend.
In an introductory message, Archbishop Eamon Martin, who will begin the Congress with liturgy of the word on the evening of March 20, said the Congress on Youth, Family and Faith is “both timely and essential”.
Youth coordinator for the archdiocese Janet Forbes spoke to The Way about the seven priorities of the congress, specifically shedding light on the seventh priority: the challenges of modern life.
The other six priorities, which touch on belonging, digital communication, evangelisation and catechesis will all be addressed at the congress through the lens of the modern day and with the knowledge that these
challenges are altering the “landscape of the faith”.
Addressing modern-day challenges is “something that we cannot set aside”, said Ms Forbes. “We need to read the sign of the times.”
With preparations for the congress going back to 2020, Ms Forbes said, “It was clear across the listening right from when we started the consultations… that the world has changed.”
Ms Forbes shared that the long but “fruitful” process leading up to the congress has been “a good example of the synodal journey at a local level,” as it has involved listening and working together as an “ecosystem of faith”.