Lauren Lynch from Animate Youth Ministries explains a new music ministry programme for young people.

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As previously mentioned in this column, we have decided to provide certain opportunities for young people during this Jubilee Year. Therefore, it makes sense to elaborate here on one of the things which we said was unfolding in the background, which has now been further developed.

 

A cohort of adults have been working hard to create a ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Music Ministry Programme, and below I will seek to explain what it is, whom it is for and why we have created it. Hopefully, you may know a young person who might want to be involved in it. If so, please help us to help young people use their creativity in our parishes and schools.

 

What is the purpose of this new programme?

• We hope that this group will allow young people in our archdiocese to have an input with liturgies and events throughout the year; to practise music together and build confidence and, in time, to lead worship.

• We are targeting young people from Year 9 to the age of 25 to be a part of this group. We are aware that Year 9 students are not offered things (such as Lourdes, Eucharistic ministry, etc) to enhance them on their faith journey and this is why we have picked this year group. In doing so, we hope to develop the next generation of worship leaders.

• We, as adults, are able to offer our own experiences to young people and support them in doing the same. We also hope to use external contacts in the future to run workshops to help youngsters learn more about being a worship leader and take these qualities back to a school/parish setting.

 

What is it?

It is an invitation given to those who may have an interest in music/technology/singing/praise and worship to come together, bringing their own gifts with them. Each session will begin with a time of prayer led by volunteer staff. It will end with an optional Mass for which young people will be invited to plan the liturgy and lead the music, putting into practice what they have been learning in the session.

 

Which young people?

We are looking for anyone from Year 9 onwards up to the age of 25 to be a part of our new Youth Music Ministry. This is a chance for anyone, no matter what their musical background, to gather and form a music group. Everyone can offer something; we are not interested in what grade/studies/ abilities you might think you have, you are just fine to attend as you are. This is a chance for people who have an interest in music as well as their faith to be part of something new and exciting.

 

What is the group called?

Although we had this idea in 2024, with the start of the Jubilee Year we thought it would be nice to launch this new initiative under the title ‘Music Youth Ministry, Pilgrims of Hope’.

 

When and where?

We will be holding four sessions before the end of this academic year:

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6 April – Meet and Greet (Introduction to music ministry)

11 May – 2nd session

15 June – 3rd session

29 June – Youth Alive Mass and Open Mic Night

 

Any young people interested should bring themselves (and their instruments) to the sessions at Animate Youth Ministries, Lowe House, 99 Crab Street, St Helens, WA10 2BE.

 

Thank you, once again, for your continued support for Animate Youth Ministries.