|
The DYC currently comprises of 11 members - 3 of whom were nominated by our Archbishop. Meet three members of the Tuam Diocesan Youth Council - Peter, Stephen and Kate, who speak of their own involvement and experiences of religion, faith and church.
|
|
My name is Peter and I'm a third year student in NUIG. I'm going introduce you to the DYC - how we started, who we are and what we do. Growing up I was always frustrated when people complained about young adults and disregarded the role we can play in our church community. I had always wanted to be involved but found that the church was out of touch with our lives and sometimes even discouraged young people from playing our full part. The Tuam Diocesan Assembly changed all that. It has given young people a chance to have a say in shaping our church.
The Diocesan Assembly was set up to plan for the future of the church in the Diocese of Tuam. Young people were involved at every step and were given a role far beyond mere tokenism. The Archbishop wrote a Pastoral Letter to every senior cycle second level student in the diocese inviting them to be part of the process take part.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Hi, I'm Stephen. I'm a third year student in DIT and I'm going to tell you all about my experiences which led me to joining the DYC. Peter has already told you a bit about its formation, but I have a different experience of the DYC. You see I was never involved with the assembly process - I always thought the church was run by priests who never listened to us young people, so I thought this whole assembly thing had nothing to do with me. I read about it in the local newsletter at mass but never thought much more about it.
Then, a couple of months later, I noticed something in the newsletter about a separate diocesan event called World Youth Day (WYD), but the best thing was it was in Australia! You didn't have to ask me twice, and I was going.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Hi, I'm a 2nd year student in NUIG, my name is Kate and I'm going to tell you about my involvement in the church at a parish level. I've become involved in the church for many reasons. Like many young people in our diocese, I attended a Catholic primary and secondary school but it's only now that I realise that this gave me a wonderful opportunity. My parents also had an influential impact of my religious beliefs. I suppose my first real involvement with the church was by serving every month. This then led to my taking part in a Youth choir. Here, I got to socialise with other young people my age and also felt like I was taking part and contributing to the Mass in a unique way. My early interest in my local church enticed me to continue my involvement throughout my secondary school years. I volunteered to read and do so on a regular basis. This gives me the chance to interpret the reading in a more meaningful and personal way. I also feel like I am truly part of the celebration of the liturgy.
Even though Mass may sometimes feel like a boring and tedious experience, becoming involved meant that I was also getting something out of it. It was through my parish that I became involved with WYD. Since then I have never looked back. Every little step along the way has led to me benefiting in something new and exciting. By getting involved with the DYC I now feel part of something very special. I have now become part of the wider circle of the Tuam Diocese, meeting many new people along the way. I am no longer on the outside looking in.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
