The Tuam Diocesan Youth Council Camino Pilgrimage took place from May 25th to June 1st 2010. A group of 12, including 7 NUIG students, 3 priests, and 2 nurses walked the 112km route from Saria to Santiago de Compostella. Staying in small hostels and hotels along the way, the group averaged 20km per day. Starting every morning at around 7.30am with a prayer, the pilgrims made their way through verdant countryside following the ancient Camino Francaise route. Although tough at times the experience of walking with so many pilgrims from all over the world was both faith inspiring and life-giving.

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the pilgrims mass in the cathedral of Santiago, at which the famous Buttefermero was used (sponsored no less by Coca-Cola on that day!). The trip proved an enriching experience for all and lifelong friendships have been forged.

The DYC once again this year hosted the now annual Easter Sunday Dawn Mass at The Chalet, Cong. Much planning goes into an event such as this and the local community came out in force to help in the detailed organisation.

From 5am on Easter Sunday morning cars began to make their way  to the little lake shore hamlet which provides such a spectacular and fitting backdrop for the Easter morning celebrations. Again this year the traffic was marshalled by the ever welcoming locals and an altar was prepared on the shores of the lake.

Mass was celebrated by Fr Ray Flaherty, a native of Tully Cross but working in the parish of Tuam. A noteworthy feature of this year's Mass was the music which was provided by the newly formed Diocesan Youth Gospel Choir. Under the direction of Brendan Mc Guinness the choir complemented beautifully nature's dawn chorus and enriched the simple but meaningful liturgy.

Over 1000 people attended and a feature of this year's gathering was the sizable number of young people who had made their way to Cong. The morning ended with the now customary cuppa and scone provided by the local community. Well done and thanks to all!

Check out the photos of the Dawn mass here!

Having completed the first stage of the Tochar Pádraig from Ballintubber to Aughagower on a very cold day in late December some fifty hardy pilgrims enjoyed much better weather and underfoot conditions on the second stage from Aughagower to Murrisk.

Our group gathered in Aughagower Church carpark on Sunday morning February 28^th and after a brief introduction and short prayer we headed off on the 14km trek towards the Reek.  The holy mountain, covered as it was with a spectacular crown of snow, seemed to beckon us forward and in no time at all strangers became friends.

Mass was celebrated at the Mass Rock at Bohea, the girls from Tuam enhancing the liturgy with a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. A cup of hearty warm soup was most welcome before we undertook the long slog up Taobhnacruaiche - the point where we began the climb across the shoulder of Croagh Patrick.

Although the going was tough at this point it was made worth the effort when as we climbed over the precipice we were greeted with breathtaking views of Clew Bay. Tired but fulfilled we gathered in Murrisk - another stage complete.

The third and final stage of the Tochar will take place on Sunday May 9^th when it is hoped that 300 young people will climb Croagh Patrick on the second annual Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to our Holy Mountain.

Check out the photos of the walk here

The Pope John Paul II Awards were launched in the Archdiocese of Tuam on Monday November 9th by Galway footballer Michael Meehan. Over 200 senior-cycle second level students together with their teachers and members of Pastoral Councils from across the diocese gathered in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris for the occasion.

The evening opened with a captivating powerpoint presentation of scenes from the life of Pope John Paul II backed by Andrea Bocelli's powerful anthem ‘Because we Believe'.

Archbishop Neary welcomed everyone but especially the young people. He told them that he hoped that they would always feel welcome in their local parish communities. ‘This is your church' he told them. He reminded them that they are not the church of tomorrow but are the church of today. And quoting Pope John Paul II he said ‘the future starts today, not tomorrow'.