The Diocese of Limerick hosted the first of what is to be an annual retreat for young adults training to be youth ministry leaders in Castletown over the weekend.
53 young adults aged 18-24 attended the retreat, which began Friday evening and ended on Sunday afternoon. James Connery, Director of Youth Ministry and Lifelong Faith Development for the diocese, spoke to The Irish Catholic about the value of youth events such as these: “it’s about giving them confidence to have a conversation either around prayer or around their faith, and just see what it’s like to be a young person in the world today.”
The three-day retreat featured ice-breakers, prayer, and workshops on leadership and team-building skills, all of which reflected the three pillars of the diocese’s youth ministry: welcome, learning and prayer.
Mr Connery highlighted the emphasis on safety and community in youth ministry, explaining that the diocese focuses on “creating an environment where young people can be themselves without any further expectations…where they can look at themselves and examine themselves and feel comfortable.”
