Northern dioceses ‘thank you day’ for volunteers

The directors of youth ministry in the five Northern dioceses recently organised a joint ‘thank you day’ for the volunteers in each of their dioceses who have worked tirelessly with their young people to provide a range of opportunities to share and celebrate the Faith. These volunteers in collaboration with their parish priests, school principals and their youth commissions organise and manage faith-based activities throughout the year, including the Pope John Paul II Award, the parish GIFT programmes, parish folk groups, SEARCH and retreats.

The retreat day at Benburb for 100 volunteers involved a number of workshops, music, prayer and Mass celebrated by Fr Thomas McHugh. Acknowledging the importance of co-responsibility, Pauline Dowd, Director of Living Youth (Down & Connor) said “the success of youth ministry is dependent on a number of important elements: the support of our bishops, the guidance and teaching of our priests and the involvement of skilled, experienced and enthusiastic volunteers”.