Ossory initiative to enhance young people’s Church involvement.

A major effort is being undertaken in the diocese of Ossory to improve the involvement of young people in the Church. 

The Ossory Diocesan Forum wants to promote active participation by young people in their own parishes and in particular their involvement in newly-established Parish Pastoral Councils.

Ms Olivia Maher of the Forum’s Young People’s Sub-Committee said training courses would be provided for parishioners who wanted to work locally to encourage young people to join their pastoral council. 

“These courses will be help pastoral council members to work with young people and involve them in parishes throughout the diocese,â€? she said. 

“Each parish is being invited to nominate a person to attend this course which begins in September�.

“The nominee must be someone who can act as a liaison person for young people, have a genuine interest in them and be able to engage with them�.

“The nominee will also be expected to form a Young People’s Working Group in the parish from which two members will be selected to represent young people on the Parish Pastoral Council.�

Ms Maher said the courses will be run by Ossory Youth, one of the largest youth organisations in the south-east which connects directly with more than  8,000 young people every year.

Meanwhile, 76% of young people in the diocese have a “meaningful relationship with God�, according to a survey carried out by the Diocesan Forum.

The survey also showed that 57% felt that regular attendance at religious ceremonies was important to them.

But the survey found that young people want more participation at Church ceremonies, by way of reading and being Eucharistic ministers and expressed a preference for Gospel choirs and action liturgies.