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Transition Year Projects 2011 |
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On Friday April 8th, students from eight schools presented their Transition Year Projects 'Parish Life - Living our Faith' at a ceremony held in Knock. Each of the eight schools gave a two minute summary of their project and the day finished with a beautiful moment of prayer in the Apparition Chapel.
In attendance was Archbishop Neary. In congratulating them for their commitment to their faith and to the faith life of their parishes he said that their projects indicated the vital role young people can and do play in the local parish. Faith is not the sole preserve of the old, the faith of our young people he said can inspire the faith of the whole parish.
Schools taking part included; St Briget's Mercy Tuam, St Colman's Claremorris, Mount St Michael Claremorris, Dunmore Community School, Davitt College Castlebar, St Geralds Castlebar, St Josephs Castlebar and Holy Rosary Mountbellew.
Check out the photos of the day here! |
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On Sunday March 6th almost 100 young people from around the Archdiocese joined the 2nd part of the DYC organised Tochar Walk from Aughagower to Murrisk.
On a dry but cold day the group set out full of enthusiasm on the 12 mile trek over road, bog and field. Having stopped at Bohea Mass rock for a few moments reflection and some welcome soup the group made their way to Taobhnacruaiche (the back of Croagh Patrick) where they were met by Archbishop Neary and Archbishop Terrence Prendergast the Apostolic Visitor from Canada. The Archbishops greeted the young people and with them began the assent of the mountain. As the Tochar doesn't traditionally include climbing to the summit most of the young people on reaching the shoulder of the mountain continued on down to Murrisk where mass was celebrated at the grotto. All the pilgrims were treated to soup and sandwiches in the Community centre following the climb. Picts can be seen on the Tuam diocesan website. |
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Candlelight Mass Ballintubber 2010 |
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Over 200 young people gathered in Ballintubber Abbey for a midsummer candlelight mass on  June 18th 2010. Guest speaker at the mass was Cameron Stewart, a young man from Holywood, Co. Down, who is founding member of the Ark movement. Cameron spoke about the necessity to simplify the Gospel message and in doing so making it real for young people. He proposed simple Acts of Random Kindness as a way in which we can give concrete witness to Jesus' message of love. Those who attended were given Ark clothes-pegs, which suggested Acts of Random Kindness which individuals might undertake.
The mass celebrated by Fr. Tod Nolan and attended by Archbishop Neary was enhanced with a beautiful liturgical movement presented by the Tuam All-star Gymnastics group under the leadership of Ms. Fionnuala Dooley. Music was provided by the Tuam diocesan youth gospel choir. The mass was followed by a bonfire and bbq which featured a whole pig on spit. |
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 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. |
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 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! |
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