HALLAM YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICE
YOUTH ALIVE
Hallam Youth Ministry Office Homepage
YOUTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION - YOUTH ALIVE 2005!
By the members of the St Joseph’s Youth Group – Handsworth - Sheffield
A group of twenty young people travelled by coach to All Saints School in Mansfield from the parish of St Joseph’s at Handsworth on Sunday 20 November to celebrate National Youth Sunday with the Diocesan of Nottingham, and where young people from secondary school age plus gathered for a day of fun activities and reflection.
The day nearly didn’t start too well either. One of our leaders (mentioning no names Irma) who was responsible for our group told our coach driver that we were all present and correct and so he set off. A few moments later we saw one of our parishioners and Sr Marie running after the coach waving at us, we thought how lovely that they would come to see us off and we all started to wave back. Suddenly, Irma realised that Sr Marie was supposed to be travelling with us and the waving was to try and stop our coach! A very embarrassed leader, tail between her legs, had to try and make amends for the rest of the day! However, full marks Sr Marie – you sure are a fit lady!!!
As the event was taking place outside of our Diocese we were a little apprehensive as we knew that we wouldn’t know anyone other than those in our group. However, our group were pretty much in high spirits and with our own comedian on board, Thomas Hammonds; things started looking up pretty quickly.
When we arrived it was almost time for lunch and after our initial gathering in the gym of about 500 young people and a singing session, we had our break.
We then had to put our names down for various workshops that were taking place during the day. These included drama, dancing (and street dancing), comedy, crafts, climbing, sports to name but a few. The general consensus in our group was that the drama, dancing and comedy workshops were by far the best with some excellent teachers and really good fun.
At the end of the Workshops we all came together again for a mass celebration by the Bishop of Nottingham. This was a lovely mass with some really great music and hymns, some of which were dramatised with a dance performance by the youth. Three of our own group were altar servers.
It was now time for tea! A horde of hungry youngsters made their way to the dining hall to be duly fed with a hot meal – most welcoming!
The day ended with a disco and what a great time everyone had. This probably was the best time in terms of meeting new friends – boys and girls alike. I know some mobile numbers were exchanged between some of our young people!! Even our leaders joined in the dancing – Pat Robinson was a right little mover – Irma tried her best, bless her!!
All good things come to an end and eventually at 9.00pm, we were dragged off the dance floor to board our coach back home to Sheffield.
We would like to take this opportunity of thanking our Youth Group leaders, Irma, Pat and Claire for giving up their time and energy in order for us to be able to join in such an event. We would also particularly like to thank Sr Marie not just for joining us on the day but for all that she has done for the youth in our Diocese over the years. I hope she knows how truly appreciated she is – and we look forward to visiting her at Bamford – if she can put up with our rowdy lot!!!
National Youth Sunday gives us, the young people of our Church, the chance to show the role we play, it gives us the opportunity to express our faith and for the rest of our community to understand what God means to us. Last year, one of our Youth Group members wrote this wonderful verse which expresses our feelings perfectly.
I represent
the children of this church, which I’m proud to do,
As every child here could teach us something new,
We are a community that should work as one,
Without each other our faith and belief would be gone,
When things go wrong and our emotions show,
God is the one, who hears and sees us when we are low,
He is our rock, our helping hand,
But don’t be fooled he won’t appear with a bang,
We’ve never heard his voice or felt his touch,
But I can guarantee he loves us so, so much,
When things go right and laughter is heard,
We are the ones that should remember that special word,
‘Thank you’ is what we should say to God,
For he gave his son to shed his blood,
Forever are we in his debt,
And that is what we should never forget,
Thank you for the time and respect you have given us, the youth of today,
We hope it will carry on forever and a day,
We are the future and ahead we will go,
To spread God’s word because we love him so.
By Rebecca Louise Victoria Brown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|