Youth directors from across the Irish dioceses gathered for a few days of recovery and dialogue, reflecting on the theme ‘Come away and rest a while’ (Mk 6:31), at their annual retreat in Co. Laois earlier this month.
Hosted by the Irish Bishops’ Conference’s Sub-Council for Evangelisation and Youth Ministry, the 27 youth directors who participated were honoured by Bishop Fintan Gavin in an address where he stated that youth ministry work is particularly important now, “at a time when many young people are searching for meaning, belonging and hope”.
Continuing, Bishop Gavin praised the quiet dedication of the youth and young adult ministry workers, noting that they “often carry a great deal quietly, but they are helping to create conditions where young people can encounter Christ.”
As well as being able to share experiences from their respective dioceses and pray together, attendees heard from guest speaker Donncha McKenna, a guidance counsellor and teacher who has worked in youth ministry in the past, who urged them to care for their spiritual wellbeing outside of work.
