Youth of Wrexham Diocese

Wrexhan diocesan young people have gathered together for some inspiring events over the past year or so.  Highlights include

• the 'Climate Change Day at Bangor hosted by the Wales Youth Forum for Sustainable Development, at which some young people from the Diocese led a workshop
• the 'Oct 06' Catholic Youth Services event in Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.  For more on Oct 06 go to www.catholicyouthservices.org.uk
•  the 'Live Simply' Diocesan Youth retreats held at Loreto, Llandudno in February 2007 and at Noddfa, Penmaenmawr, in March

BBQ with the Bishop

The end of the summer holidays in 2006 saw the very first 'BBQ with the Bishop'.  45 young people and 10 helpers gathered at Bishop's House on a wet day for a soggy BBQ.  The rain didn't dampen spirits too much and everyone enjoyed the welcome by Bishop Edwin and took part in games, competitions and tours of Bishop's House and the private chapel, the diocesan offices and archives.

It was fitting that the young people of the Diocese should receive an invitation, to his own house, from a Bishop who is so supportive of them and happy to be with them throughout the Diocese.  The visit was significant even for the older helpers.  More than one said that in all their years working actively with young people through the Youth Commission or the schools, this was their first visit to Bishop's House.

Cost of Mining Pilgrimage

The 'Cost of Mining' Pilgrimage to Parys Mountain on Anglesey took place on a blustery October day in 2006.  Its purpose was to help people reflect on the CAFOD campaign of 'Unearth Justice'.  Youth groups from around the Diocese worked on the six reflective stations and, leading the pilgrims with the diocesan Cross, presented them in turn.  One youth group consisted of primary school children from Wrexham; another of University students from Bangor.

The event was met with wide acclaim, some saying it was like the Church in miniature - there were clergy, religious and lay people from all corners of the Diocese, and all ages too, from 2 to 82!  The event saw a coming together of CAFOD and two diocesan Commissions - those for Youth and Peace and Justice.  The Pilgrimage was led by young people, with adults being the recepients of learning rather than vice versa.

Pilgrims were inspired by both the scenery and the reflections to think of the impact of mining on both the land and the communities that depend upon it.  We learned that the manufacturing processes that go into making a single pair of gold wedding rings leaves a pile of rubble six feet by six feet by ten feet! 

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Gaudencio Rosales, said: 'To destroy and overuse the earth's supply is like stealing from the mouths of your children and great grandchildren.'

The Pilgrimage concluded with the laying of a stone which had been carried around the mine, to create an altar - a sign of God's presence in a place.

Undergraduates' Dinner

The end of December 2006 saw the revival of the 'Bishop's Undergraduate Christmas Dinner', which took place at the Red Lion in Northop.  Over 20 Undergraduates, home for the holidays, attended this dinner hosted by Bishop Edwin.

The group met informally and were led in a simple reflection - where were they on their journey of faith; how had their experience of God changed since leaving school; what changes were they looking to make to their faith journey? - before enjoying a lovely meal, courtesy of the Bishop.

'Live Simply' - Diocesan Youth Retreats

The 'Live Simply' theme flowed perfectly from 'Fairtrade' 2006 and 'Food of Life' 2005.  The theme, seen as an urgent issue by the Diocese, was decided upon long before the CYS in conjunction with CAFOD made it their theme for National Youth Sunday 2006.

21 took part in Loreto 2007 despite the difficulties caused by the snow; and 24 participated in Noddfa 2007.  Apart from the usual games and quizzes, they learned about carbon emissions and footprints, were entertained and provoked by clips from YouTube, and discovered how they might just be outgrowing the earth.

Young people gave thanks to the Creator of all and made their 'Live Simply Promises' in conjunction with thousands of others across the country.  They took part in exercises to look at who they were, what they possessed and what their real needs were, and asked how they might be able to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity through friends, church, school and family.

The group was led in prayer around the Diocesan Youth Cross by young people who have become regulars at the youth retreats.  They watched clips from Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth', 'The Day after Tomorrow' and 'Erin Brokovich'.  They even viewed a couple of hybrid cars and took part in some vegetable growing!

Trees were planted at both venues both as a sign of belief in the goodness of creation, and that it must not be taken for granted.  All this within the framework of the Mass at which all the work and learning and experiences were brought together at the foot of the altar.

In leading the retreats, the Youth Commission was enriched with the generosity of some truly amazing people from the Diocese, and for that it gives great thanks.  Some woneful seeds have been sown in the hearts and the minds of our young people, seeds that are already bearing fruit.