Stay siLENT for a change

Let’s speak up with silence! Join us in creating a deafening silence in Lent 2018!  Take time to give up the things that fill life with noise and restlessness. Not only will you allow time for silence, your sponsorship will make a real difference to young people without a voice, for whom silence isn’t a choice. 

Corey Scott (pictured centred) was recognised for his inspiring work supporting other young people with disabilities at the 2016 Celebrating Young People Awards - read about his story here.  Corey then decided to take part in siLENT 2017 and offers these reflections.

“I wanted to participate in siLENT because I thought it was an inspiring concept, one which I feel is rarely highlighted. It is important to encourage young people to engage in spiritual conversation as well as practical action, fiercely challenging the idea that anyone, regardless of who they are, should be ignored and not listened to.

The most challenging part of silence for me was not being prohibited to talk all day and not being able to respond to my online communication. I have a very sociable and personable character, taking seriously the welfare and happiness of all my close friends and family. I feel that the initiative really pushed me to a limit I would have never have expected to reach during the daily rhythm of ordinary living. I really exceeded my own personal comfort zone and came to the realization that no task is too great. If you put your mind to it truly there are no boundaries that cannot be concurred.

At the time I was going through personal difficulties with some friends relating to confusion around identity. The campaign reminded me and allowed me to put into perspective the trivial aspects of my life and concentrate on what was more valuable going forward.

It also made me realize that faith is a life long journey. Despite the inevitable and understandable doubts you may have from time to time, it is better to stick at it regardless of life’s bumpy road. It really requires individual investment and understanding of how faith can be real to you in your daily life. You never know what the rewards may be, but the daily challenge for all people of faith is to share the light with the disconnected on the fringe of our society without judging them.

The most rewarding part of silence is knowing that I am making a positive difference to so many people that I will probably never get to know or meet but it fills me with pride to have the knowledge that I may be making some of the poorest places in the country slightly more bearable to live  for some of our most vulnerable young people.

I think siLENT attracts all ages but I am glad it mainly supports young people because they are often the most in need. I would encourage anyone to take part in siLENT - the campaign gives you time to thank God for all the good things you have in life, even the smallest blessings that you may over look. It also allows you to communicate and get to know him better, whilst reflecting how your relationship can grow and blossom, if only your willing to let it be and allow him in.”

Join us in staying silent for a change. Click here

Glittering Night of Celebration for Young People

Outstanding social action by young people was recognised at the third Celebrating Young People Awards.

On Thursday 23 November 2017 hundreds of young people, youth workers and teachers, family and friends gathered in London's Leicester Square to celebrate the inspirational lives of so many young people, nominated by you. 

The 2017 Celebrating Young People Awards, hosted by Million Minutes and with guest of honour Archbishop McMahon, highlighted some of the amazing young people across England and Wales who are transforming lives in their local communities. 

See all the stories of the young recipients here.

See all the photos here.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool Presented the Pope Francis Award to 18-year-old Aaron Omotosho of the Loreto College in Manchester. Aaron founded and continues to run a project called Help Manchester which encourages young people locally to support day centres that feed and shelter homeless people daily. Aaron studies Computing, and has set up a computing project for underprivileged young people in North Manchester. “Aaron is quite unique as all of this is entirely his own initiative, and he genuinely cares about those living in poverty and making their voices heard,” says his college chaplain. Aaron is an active member of the college’s Social Justice Group having helped raise funds for and awareness of local homelessness charities, as well as CAFOD and Laughter Africa further afield. Archbishop Malcolm congratulated him and the other young people, telling them that “you are not the Church of tomorrow but the Church of today”. He described the evening as “uplifting”.

See his story and the story of all the awards here

Margaret and Barry Mizen, who have worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation since their son Jimmy was murdered in 2008, presented the Jimmy Mizen award It recognises young people who have shown commitment to the common good or peacemaking. Winners were Hannah Rai and Zoe Ray from St Mary’s Catholic School Newcastle upon Tyne who organised a recent conference on welcoming refugees; Anna Chapman from St Anselm’s School in Kent who is a mentor for younger students with anger or behaviour problems; and Ella Holliday (pictured with Margaret and Barry) from St Bede’s School in Lytham who is a Young Peace Journalist, supported by Pax Christi, and who focuses on the plight of refugees.  

See all the stories here.

The Chaplaincy team for The Douay Martyrs Catholic School, Ickenham, Diocese of Westminster, received their Cardinal Hume Award from Cathy Corcoran (CEO of the Cardinal Hume Centre), and former Centre Client Jordan Downer. See all the stories here.

St Edward’s Youth Catholic Council from Keymer, West Sussex, whose ages range between 12 and 14, were winners of the Cardinal Hume Award for ‘living out the option for the poor’. They have thrown a spotlight on the issue of rough sleeping, asking how they as young people can improve the situation for homeless people. Their ‘big sleep out’ fundraiser got sponsors online and after Masses. They built shelters out of cardboard boxes and slept rough for a night on the church patio to raise awareness. The response from the parish has been enthusiastic, with one person commenting that, “these young people keep our Catholic community fresh and vibrant”. See all the stories here.

The awards ceremony enjoyed music from the choir of Sacred Heart School in Hammersmith.  In her thanks at the end Margaret Mizen, a champion of Million Minutes, urged those present to continue to support Million Minutes and undertake next year’s ‘siLENT’ Challenge. 

Celebrating Young People Awards: Shortlist 2017

The shortlist for the Celebrating Young People Awards 2017 have been announced by Million Minutes. Now in its third year and with an ever expanding list of nominators, we have received nominations from schools, parishes and organisations across England and Wales. The awards honour the achievements of those young people who make our communities and  a better place. Their achievements are a witness to all of us of the dedication that young people have to make a difference.

Young people were nominated in six categories, each celebrating a different aspect of Catholic social teaching lived out in action. The nominations recount examples of ordinary young people with extraordinary commitment. We hear of young people taking the initiative to find new ways to serve those around them, alongside others who tirelessly and without complaint get on with the challenging situations they find themselves in - often resulting in the most inspiring examples of social action. There are young family carers, volunteers, campaigners and eco warriors, to name just a few. The judging panels had a difficult task, but they have now chosen their shortlists - see below - and the award recipients will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Leicester Square on 23 November 2017. (The CYMFed Youth Leader Award and the Pope Francis Award do not have a shortlist. The recipients will be announced at the ceremony).

St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity

St Greg's Young Carer Ambassadors: St Gregory the Great School, Oxford
Caitolin Ali: Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, Liverpool
Alex Griffiths: Bishop Milner Catholic College, Dudley
Hannah Burton: Ursuline High School, Wimbledon
Ethan Suppaya: St Bonaventure's Catholic School, Forest Gate
Daisy Douglas: Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham

Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor

Julie-Anne Ntege: Catholic Chaplaincy, Southampton
Wiliam Kent: Newman House, London
Chaplaincy Team: The Douay Martyrs Catholic School, Ickenham
Jacinta Villabolos-Finigan: Priory School, Birmingham
Aaron Omotosho: Loretto College, Manchester
St Edwards Youth Catholic Council: St Edward's and St Luke's Parish, Keymer

Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the environment

Joab Pelling: St Joseph's Catholic High School, Newport
Charlotte Bray: Newman University, Birmingham
Matthew Gowens: Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, Fleetwood
CAFOD Climate Champions: CAFOD
Eco Committee 2016/17: St Gregory's Catholic Science College, Harrow
The One World Group: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley

Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the dignity of workers

Billingham YCW Group: St Thomas of Canterbury Parish, Billingham
Alexandra Grant: St Mary's Catholic High School, Croydon
Jonathan Wright: Thornleigh Salesian College
Artur Sobota: St Paul the Apostle Parish, London
St. Anthony's YCW Impact Group: St. Anthony's RC Girls' Academy, Sunderland
St Vincent’s Young Adult Group: St Joseph's and St Vincent's Parishes, Nechells

Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation

Dylan Went: Finchley Catholic High School
Chris Hill: Ratcliffe College, Leicester
Courteney Manning: Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, Fleetwood
James Teague: St Joseph's Parish, Wealdstone and HCPT group 144
Niamh Ross: St Thomas More Catholic High School, Crewe
St Gregory's Harrow, Sixth Form: St Gregory's Catholic Science College, Harrow
Kelsea Curran: Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, Liverpool

Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace

Just.Is: St Mary's Catholic School, Newcastle upon Tyne
Yeshi Berhanu: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Victoria Roddis: Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham
Joshua Vicente: Courtyard Project, Wood Green
Anna Chapman: St Anselm’s Catholic School, Canterbury
Ella Holliday: St Bede's Catholic High School, Lytham

Outstanding Young People Celebrated By Cardinal Nichols And Catholic Community At Londons’ Barbican Centre

Outstanding social action by young people was recognised at the second Celebrating Young People Awards.

On Tuesday 19 July 2016 hundreds of young people, youth workers and teachers, family and friends gathered at the Barbican Centre to celebrate the inspirational lives of so many young people, nominated by you. 

The 2016 Celebrating Young People Awards, hosted by Baroness Hollins and Rt Hon Ruth Kelly and with guest of honour Cardinal Nichols, highlighted some of the amazing young people across England and Wales who are transforming lives in their local communities. From the young family carer upholding human dignity, to the young man campaigning to improve the living standards of those living with disabilities, all the young people we met are living out the social teaching of the Church. Their commitment and drive is infectious, mixed with real humility. 

Cardinal Nichols chose and presented the Pope Francis Award from the hundreds of nominees. Congratulations to Matthew Martin, a sixth form student from Bolton, Greater Manchester. For the past two years, Matthew has been helping people who are homeless in Bolton, Greater Manchester. From November to April he gives up every Saturday night, from 7 pm – 1 am, preparing and serving food to between 50 and 70 people aged between 16 and 90. 

Danny Curtin from Million Minutes, said: “Through these awards we are celebrating all the inspirational young in our Catholic communities. Too often young people are overlooked, or even blamed for societies’ problems. What we want to say through the example of the young people we are celebrating tonight is that young people can be the difference in this world, and sometimes the rest of us just have to take time to stop to realise this.”

Baroness Hollins said, “We need to take time to celebrate young people, to celebrate all of you gathered here tonight and the hundreds more who have been nominated. We are celebrating all of you. Thank you for your commitment to build a more just and peaceful world – a world where everyone can flourish.”

Rt Hon Ruth Kelly, Pro Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, said: ““I’m so delighted that St Mary’s is involved in these awards and partnering with Million Minutes. It reflects our commitment to the Catholic community and to helping to transform young lives”.

You can read about and be inspired by all award recipients here and photos from the night are on our Flickr page.

We’re looking forward to continuing the journey with all the award recipients. In October we’ll meet together for a weekend to learn from and inspire one another. 

The 2017 Awards are planned for November – we’ll announce them here soon.

Pope Francis Award Recipient returns from life changing trip

Last year, 1 July, saw the inaugural Celebrating Young People Awards in London's Leicester Square, organised by Catholic Charity Million Minutes. The awards recognise and celebrate young people living out the principles of Catholic social teaching, from the young family carer upholding human dignity, to the teenager promoting peace by leading the campaign to eliminate bullying in his school.

On that night, Cardinal Vincent Nichols gave the Pope Francis Award to Ryan O'Neill a psychiatric nursing student from Merthyr Tydfil who, in his free time works tirelessly supporting and inspiring young people. As part of his award, Ryan has just completed a tailor-made study trip to Argentina to trace the footsteps of Pope Francis.

Here Chris Knowles, Trustee of Million Minutes, who accompanied Ryan, writes of the trip:

On 1 July 2016 we found ourselves in a suburb of Buenos Aires, staying in a building called the ‘minimo’. This building, in years gone by was surrounded by a farm set up by Padre Bergoglio, it sat in the grounds of the Maximo College, the Jesuit theology and philosophy college that Bergoglio lived in as Provincial, and the community (and seminary) that he subsequently rector of. It was a exactly a year before that we were say in a theatre in Leicester Square and Ryan O’Neill received the Pope Francis award from Cardinal Nichols for efforts supporting young people on the margins in South Wales as part of the 2015 Million Minutes Celebrating Young People Awards.

The study trip, supported by the International Young Leaders Network, was an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Pope Francis, to learn about context from which he came, and to see how the Church in Argentina tried to live out its responsibility to the most vulnerable in society.

While staying in the Jesuit community in San Miguel we visited the poor neighbourhoods in which Pope Francis worked, the local areas in which he was instrumental in the in the efforts to reach out and set up new chapels and parishes. We were welcomed into these communities with such generosity, while there were often language barriers, their openness and affection towards us was unmistakable. As we got further into these neighbourhoods it was clear that, the further you got from the main road, the more deprived it got. The buildings were more basic, and fewer of the roads were tarmacked. For Ryan, “visiting the poorer parts of Argentina is heart-breaking, but at the same time visiting their houses and experiencing their attitudes, seeing how open they are to helping others was very moving”. After sending out seminarians on pastoral duties, Bergloglio used to check the bottom of their shoes for dust and dirt. Having spent some time in these communities, it’s clear that this was a good way to know that you’d reached those families that needed the support of the Church the most…!

On the 2nd of July we were privileged enough to be invited to a mass in one of the poor neighbourhoods near the Jesuit college as they celebrating the lives of two Assumptionist seminarians who were 'disappeared' during Argentina's last dictatorship. Raúl Rodríguez and Carlos Antonio de Piero were taken in the middle of the night 40 years ago by men in army uniform, and their bodies have never been found. They were studying at the Maximo College where Fr Juan Carlos Scannone SJ, a friend of Pope Francis and a theologian quoted in Laudato Si’ taught them theology. Fr Scannone celebrated the mass with an Assumptionist priest who lived with the two seminarians, and only survived that night because he went home to spend a night at his parents’ house.

We also got the time to learn about the reality of the social problems in the big city from the cold face in a Jesuit homeless shelter in the centre of Buenos Aires. Over the last 10 years demand has grown and grown for the simple services they provide. Even only a very short period of time we were able to build relationships with those that came to the centre because we ate together, prayed together, learnt together and even celebrated Argentinian independence together with a Mass and a fantastic fiesta! Often they felt so welcomed at this centre because, unlike other projects in Buenos Aires, they were treated with the dignity and love.

After receiving nominations for over 250 young people, Million Minutes, in partnership with St Mary’s university Twickenham are now preparing for this year’s Award Ceremony on Tuesday 9 July at London’s Barbican Centre. 

Celebrating Young People Awards: Shortlist 2016

The Celebrating Young People Awards honour the achievements of truly remarkable young people who make our communities and our world a better place. Their achievements are an inspiration for us all, showing us all how ordinary young people can do the most extraordinary things.

 Nearly 250 young people were nominated for awards in six categories, celebrating how they put Catholic social teaching into action. We're received inspiring nominations telling us stories of  young family carers, dedicated volunteersand passionate campaigners, to name just a few. With nominations drawn from schools, parishes, organisations and individuals  throughout England and Wales our judging panels, made up of celebrated figures, had a difficult task. But the six separate panels have now  chosen their shortlists - see below - and the young award recipients will be announced at a glittering ceremony this Summer. (The CYMFed Youth Leader Award and the Pope Francis Award do not have a shortlist. The recipients will be announced at the ceremony). 

Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor
Tom Morris & Emily Tierney:  Kenelm Youth Trust, Birmingham
Sixth Form Homelessness Campaign Group: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley
Justice and Peace Group: Notre Dame RC Girls' School, London
Year 12 General Religious Studies Group: St Anselm's College, Liverpool
Matthew Martin: Holy Cross College, Bury
Caitlin Nunez: St Angela's Ursuline School, London

Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the Dignity of workers
Marc Besford: Ushaw College, Durham
Martins Banjo: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, London
Kirsty Anne Watson: Drayton
Alice Stella: South London
Corey Scott: Blackburn College and HCPT
Daniel Fazackerley: St John Rigby College, Wigan

Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the Environment
Owen Bond: Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton
St James Climate Bloggers: St James Catholic High School, London
Angelique Carlin and Emily Pranarauskait: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Sam Abraham: All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield
Anthony Adusei Poku: St Bonaventure's, London
SPH EcoTeam: The St Philip Howard Catholic High School, Bognor Regis

Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation 
Charlie O'Sullivian: St Joseph's College and HCPT Group 721, London
Charlotte Walmsley: Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley
Reena Joseph: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley
Megan Auld: Loreto Sixth Form College, Manchester
Anna Joy Marshall: St. Hugh's Parish and NJPN, Chesterfield
Flavia Sofia Bernardo Matos: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace
RHUL Inter-faith group: Chaplaincy, Royal Holloway University of London
Emma Atherton: Pax Christi, Liverpool
John Ruggerio: Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Worcester
Adelaide Laureta and Canice Marcel: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Newman Catholic College London Citizens: Newman Catholic College, London
Douay Martyrs Chaplaincy Team: The Douay Martyrs School, London

St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity
Abbie Walker: Sacred Heart Catholic College, Liverpool
Angeline Umba: Holy Cross College, Bury
Madeleine Kennedy: L'Arche Manchester
Christopher Austria: St Bonaventure's, London
Nicola Mattocks: New Addington Church, London
Helen Olorunsuyi: St Angela's Ursuline School, London

Inaugural Celebrating Young People Awards

CYPA Awards

Hundreds of young people, youth workers, teachers and supporters from across England and Wales, gathered in London's Leicester Square on 1 July, for the inaugural Celebrating Young People Awards, organised by Million Minutes. They were welcomed by Baroness Hollins, who earlier in the day had hosted some of the young people at the House of Lords for high tea and a set of workshops to support them in their work for social justice.

Baroness Hollins said: "In a society that often overlooks young people, we need to take time to celebrate them. We can't award everyone, but we are celebrating everyone. Those receiving awards are doing so on behalf of the many others working with a similar passion and commitment to build a more just and peaceful world - a world where all of God's creation, including all people, can flourish."

Awards were made in eight categories, based on Catholic Social Teaching: including celebrating human dignity, care for creation, the protection of workers, promoting solidarity and peace, fostering community and living out the option for the poor.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols gave the Pope Francis Award to Ryan O'Neill a psychiatric nursing student from Merthyr Tydfil who, in his free time works tirelessly supporting and inspiring young people. Ryan (pictured below with Cardinal Nichols and Danny Curtin) will now make a tailor-made study trip to South America to trace the footsteps of Pope Francis.

As he gave the award to Ryan, Cardinal Nichols recalled that another Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Manning had intervened to end the Dockers' Strike of 1889 - before Catholic Social Teaching had actually been defined. The Cardinal said that Mr O’Neill exemplified the same good virtues as Pope Francis, and urged the young people to use Pope Francis as a role model. He told the audience, Pope Francis said 'reality is more important than ideas.' "Don't ever lose your generosity", he said. "We need leaders of integrity and courage. All of us are missionary disciples of Jesus."

RyanONeill

A special CYMFed award for most inspiring youth leader went to Bruno Gambini a much loved youth worker from Derby. You could probably walk into any parish within the city and people would smile on hearing his name. Those who work alongside him explain "Bruno doesn't see himself as a youth worker, yet the work he continually does with young people year after year is simply wonderful. Bruno doesn't see himself as a youth minister but the amount of young people who have stuck with their faith because of Bruno's gentle but powerful witness is amazing."

Other awards were presented by Francis Campbell, Vice-Chancellor of St Mary's University, Liz Dodd from the Tablet, Margaret and Barry Mizen and their son George, Ellen Teague from the Columbans, Megan Russell from CAFOD and John Toryusen vice-chair of CYMFed.

Also awarded on the evening was Tharanay Puvanachandran, who received the Cardinal Hume Award for living out the option for the poor. Tharanay attends St Dominic's Sixth Form College in Harrow. She works as a volunteer with street homeless and organises visits to care homes for people with dementia. As a practicing Hindu Tharanay has been insured by her faith to work to give back to the community and has been taught to help those in need.

Among the award recipients was Ryan Earle, 19. As a member of the IMPACT and then Young Christian Workers groups in his parish, St Mary’s, West Croydon, Ryan came to understand the methodology of the YCW - SEE JUDGE ACT – and so became able to analyse problems affecting young people and carry out appropriate action in the light of faith. He grew in his leadership skills canvassing his local MP, and during the local elections co-chairing the Croydon Citizens Assembly, where he personally got the Labour and Conservative candidates for the council to publically commit to becoming a Living Wage employer. Following on from the assembly, the council pledged 50 work placements for Croydon’s young people. Ryan (pictured below) was presented with the Joseph Cardijn Award for the promotion of the dignity of workers.

Ryan - Joseph Cardign Award

Aysha Ahmad, a student at Ursuline High School, Wimbledon was one of the people who received the Jimmy Mizen Award for promoting solidarity and peace. She is Muslim, and one day a young boy once spat in her face as an attack on her religious beliefs. This made decide to work to promote greater understanding and peace among different faiths in her school and the wider community. She is committed to the Catholic ethos of her school and has been able to share her own beliefs to build an atmosphere of unity in the community by identifying the many values that we all share in common.

Jimmy Mizen Award recipients

Aysha is pictured, with the other Jimmy Mizen Award recipients.

The entire Year 7 class from Notre Dame Catholic College, Liverpool, won the Cardinal Hume award for their project, getting to know and support a school in Uganda The group raise money through sponsored silences, run a fair trade shop during lunch times and write letters to the children, making links and sharing their own experiences. Their teacher said: "It has been inspiring for me to watch a class of twelve year old children showing such ambition and drive to help other pupils in this way"

Read more about all the recipientshere

After the event, Danny Curtin, CEO and Co-Founder of Million Minutes said: "It was truly inspiring to meet and hear from the amazing young people transforming lives in their local communities. From the young family carer upholding human dignity, to the teenager promoting peace by leading the campaign to eliminate bullying, all the young people we met are living out the social teaching of the Church. Their commitment and drive is infectious, mixed with real humility. Million Minutes is looking forward to continuing the journey with them. We're very grateful for all those who got behind the Awards and supported them - here's to 2016!"

The ceremony brought together leading voluntary organisations and figures from the Catholic Church to recognise young people and youth workers whose contribution reflects the values of Catholic social teaching. Million Minutes hope that the awards also celebrate and inspire young people to get more involved in social action projects, as well as helping everyone to reflect on how Catholic social teaching can be lived out everyday.

The awards, supported by St Mary’s University, Twickenham were hosted at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square.

Francis Campbell, Vice-Chancellor of St Mary's University Twickenham said: "I am delighted that St Mary's supported this valuable event and congratulate the young people on their well-deserved awards. All the nominees are an inspiration and show how the timeless principles of Catholic social teaching remain relevant in homes and communities across Britain and the world. They are bringing light and hope to those who need it most, and St Mary's is proud to support Million Minutes and those committed to fostering the best of Catholic social teaching."

Celebrating Young People!

The first ever Pope Francis Award was given to Ryan O'Neill from Merthyr Tydfil by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, for his work tirelessly supporting and inspiring young people at a glittering ceremony in London’s Leicester Square on 1 July 2015. Awards were made in eight categories, including care for creation, human dignity and the protection of workers, with a special award for most inspiring youth leader going to Bruno Gambini.

“Young people all too often get a bad name,” said Danny Curtin, Director of Million Minutes. “But they are amazing. Million Minutes is all about giving a voice to the young people that get overlooked - we’re delighted to have held these awards to celebrate all that young people are and all that they give to our world.”

The recipient of the Pope Francis Award also won a tailor-made study trip to South America to trace the footsteps of Pope Francis, or Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as he was known in Argentina.

More than 200 young people were nominated, with leading people comprising the judging panels for specific awards. The judging panels were consistently impressed with the standard of the nominations.

Before the Awards themselves, many lucky winners and other nominees were hosted by Baroness Hollins at the House of Lords for high tea and a set of workshops to support the winners in their work for social justice.

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College go siLENT!

Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College have gone siLENT this year to experience what effect silence can have on their lives, and raise money to make a difference to young across the UK.

Each day there are lots of activities like Sacred Silence in the Chaplaincy in the morning and phoneless Fridays for 6th formers, but every day form groups have all spent 5 minutes in silence. Below are quotes from students, followed by those from teachers about their experiences of silence in form time.

Students

“The silence has made me feel relaxed and at peace and I found it easy to do. It has made me be able to think about the good things/ people I have in my life and to cherish them and not take them for granted. I also have been able to focus on what type of person I want to be and to be able to have a happy start to each school day.”

“Taking 5 minutes of silence this week has been difficult. I have thought about things. It made me realise how I need to respect silence more and it has made me more relaxed.”

“I think it has got easier to be silent each day. It created a calm and peaceful environment.”

“These 5 minutes of silence have helped me. It has been difficult but it got easier as it went on. It helped me to think how lucky I am to have 2 working parents and a roof over my head.”

“It was easy and it gave me time to think.”

Staff

“5 minutes of silence for my form has been a challenge initially as they really do feel it is their RIGHT to have a bit of a catch up and natter once all form business is done. By Thursday however once we has established some “ground rules” there was a noticeable calm in the classroom. Even latecomers were respectful to the initative. All agreed it gave them more of a focus. Very much appreciated getting used to silence.”

“I have found the 5 minutes of silence extremely effective in from. I find that not enough young people today take the time to be silent and listen to what is happening around them, they are always in a rush, texting, tweeting, etc. These five minutes have offered them the opportunity to be reflective and to take the time to gather their thoughts. Definitely something I will consider to continue with my form.”

“Some moaned, but they were fantastic. I loved it- a very quiet start to the day. I was sceptical at first about whether they’d so it, but they were brilliant.”

You can find out all about siLENT and get involved through our siLENT page!

Courtyard: Youth workers required for innovative new project

Million Minutes is embarking on an exciting journey to find new ways to inspire and equip local parishes to unleash their huge potential to serve the young people in their neighbourhoods.

Over the next two years Courtyard will be piloted in three parishes. It is a youth project designed to develop a fresh approach to equipping parishes to engage and support young people at risk of exclusion in their local communities.

To support this, Million Minutes are seeking three part time youth workers, with a passion for young people and an understanding the Catholic Church. The youth workers will work in the local parishes to inspire and train volunteers to create and maintain relationships with young people who are often ‘hard to reach’, including those not in education or employment. Supported by these parishioners, the young people themselves will discover together how to shape their future, using their own experiences and talents.

Million Minutes is working with a broad collaboration of partners, including Caritas Westminster and Southwark Catholic Youth Services, to launch the project. Courtyard will bring together the insights of experienced Catholic youth workers and draws on the extraordinary creativity of Frank Cottrell Boyce, the work and vision of Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, and Baroness Sheila Hollins’ knowledge of young people in crisis.

Speaking about the project, founder of Million Minutes, Danny Curtin said: “The witness and call of Pope Francis is helping to create a climate of expectation in our parishes that the local Church will reach out to those in need. Courtyard wants to help them to accompany some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, those young people at risk of falling through the gaps and losing a sense direction, purpose and hope.  The Church can help these young people and, through Courtyard, we want to help resource this”.

siLENT: stay silent, raise money, change lives

Lent is just a few weeks away. But instead of cutting out sugar this year, why not use Lent to find some silence? Challenge yourself or your community to cut out the noise in life: go without Facebook or stay silent with us. Sign up now to help young people transform their lives. Sinead, a student from Manchester is taking up the challenge. Watch her video here. Getting sponsored this Lent will help us to transform young lives all over the country. So get sponsored to give up Facebook or stay silent this Lent and help us to do something amazing for young people. You can sign up right now. There are loads of resources for parishes, primary schools and secondary schools on our resources pages. Whatever you decide to do will make a huge difference to young people’s lives. siLENT starts on Ash Wednesday: 5 March. Take part for all, or some of Lent.

Silent Night - Million Minutes at Christmas

In the silence of Christmas night, Million Minutes reaches a very special birthday. Click through our Christmas card to find out more.

Delia Smith is Million Minutes Champion

I am supporting Million Minutes because it’s important to stand alongside young people. You have so much to offer the world at present.

What my seventy years on this planet can offer you is my utter conviction of the importance of allowing some time for stillness and silence in daily life. There are three main reasons for this. One is that it gradually enables us to understand ourselves more deeply.  Two: this then expands our capacity to understand and relate to others and to the world. Three: as the deeper reflective part of our human nature develops it will draw us inexorably towards God.

Why not begin with Million Minutes? Don’t settle for life on the surface of things. The world needs young people like you to take up the challenge. In the words of St Paul ‘God’s power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine’ (Ephesians 3. 20).

Here at Million Minutes we’re really excited to have Delia’s support. She has written some words to encourage us in our silence which we are really grateful for. Read them below, or as a PDF You can download it here.

I have very little space so it’s a huge challenge! What I am hoping to do is persuade you to spend some time each day in complete silence and stillness. Why? Because after many years of experience I have learned that this is the way to short circuit access to the deepest part of our human existence. We each have within us an interior resource, a reflective capacity that can be stifled by noise and activity, but if we allow ourselves some time and space on a regular daily basis the contemplative inner part of who we are begins to expand and grow.

This is not special or otherworldly. It’s deeply human. But as we progress in one area of our development another can be neglected. So just as say transport, lifts, remotes, and other push button living makes us more sedentary than we were, we need to counteract that by taking more exercise. Likewise life in the fast lane and a communications overload can drown out that very important reflective part of our human makeup.

One American psychologist once said he could cure seventy percent of mental illness in the U.S. if he could get every-one to spend 30 minutes a day being quiet and still! If the above is true, then add on Christian belief and it takes on even more significance. We have in the church a rich inheritance of contemplative tradition and it’s in the still silent moments of life that we reach not only the heart of ourselves and who we are but the heart of God, who alone can satisfy our deepest desires.

Don’t be afraid of silence. It’s OK to not feel like it, to be bored, distracted, and feel it’s a waste of time. Be content to feel nothing, to be nothing. But please, please make up your mind. Give it a go. Start with 10 minutes, then move on to 15 you will know when to add more. Stillness and silence is a natural part of living that far from withdrawing us from the world and the rest of human endeavor   draws us more deeply into it. Nothing of the above is new so I will leave you with the words of a famous 17th century Catholic mathematician, and philosopher, who said “All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly each day in our rooms” Blaise Pascal.

Delia Smith

Happy birthday Million Minutes!

We're 1 year old this week! To celebrate, we put together a brilliant video of the highlights from the past year, and some teasers about the year ahead.

Thanks to everyone who's made the first year of Million Minutes so absolutely amazing! And together, we'll 'make the change' in 2012!

"Only you can make the change"

Young people heard an amazing message of hope this week from Million Minutes Champion Margaret Mizen. "You can make a difference," she said, " and make your communities safe places. And you can help change the future of our society. You can make our society a peaceful place instead of an angry place." Three schools in Birmingham hosted Margaret Mizen for a brilliant roadshow to highlight Million Minutes as the schools' Lenten charity for 2012. St Augustine's Redditch, St Thomas More, Nuneaton and Bishop Walsh in Sutton Coldfield all welcomed the Mizens to hear about their inspiring work in South East London.

"It's been amazing to spend time with the young people of the Birmingham this week. I'm thrilled that so many young people will be staying silent this Lent for Million Minutes," said Danny Curtin, Million Minutes Trustee.

Schools interested in staying silent this Lent should check out our Resources page at millionminutes.org/resources

Margaret and Barry Mizen will join the Birmingham diocesan Million Minutes silent walk on Sunday 5 February at 2.45pm leaving from Newman Centre/ St Thoma of Canterbury Catholic Church, Haywood Drive, Tetenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8RF. Followed by Mass at 5.15. Margaret and Barry will also give a short talk. Details from Chris Walker: chrisxwalker@doctors.org.uk

Birmingham Bishops to stay Silent for Million Minutes

The bishops of the Archdiocese of Birmingham are to stay silent this November to raise much-needed funds for projects supporting young people, the Archbishop of Birmingham announced this week. Speaking at the Birmingham launch of the Million Minutes big sponsored silence taking place on Sunday, 6 November, the Archbishop encouraged others to join the bishops by staying silent or to sponsor them.

“Million Minutes is important to us because it is supporting projects and people that are central to our community,” he said. “We should leap at the opportunity to be united with the young people of the Archdiocese.”

Million Minutes encourages people and groups (not just bishops) to stay silent for up to 24 hours and get sponsored for it. The money raised will be given as grants to local and national projects that help vulnerable or forgotten young people. 750,000 minutes have so far been pledged, with 105,000 pledged at the launch event in Birmingham.

Million Minutes is supporting two local organisations, Alton Castle Youth Centre and the Andrew Robinson Young People’s Trust. They will receive a share of the money raised to support specific projects with young people who are especially marginalised. Money will also be made available as small grants to youth and community groups.

Also speaking at the launch, Clive Robinson - father of the late Andrew Robinson and Trustee of the Young People’s Trust - said the need among some young people in the Archdiocese was “quite mind boggling”, and that the Million Minutes silence would support projects that play a “significant part in tackling the urgent problems of our society.”

The sponsored silence will take place on Sunday, 6 November, with primary and secondary schools encouraged to join in between 7-11 November. It is hoped that both young people and adults will stay silent as a powerful message of solidarity.

“This is a campaign of silence which will speak up for young people as well as raising money to support them,” said Danny Curtin, a Trustee of Million Minutes. People throughout the Archdiocese and throughout the UK are being asked to sign up online to stay silent and raise money at www.millionminutes.org/stay-silent

And that’s not all. Million Minutes invites applications under its Small Grants programme for funding of up to £500 for projects in the UK undertaken by organisations, groups or even individuals who will work to enable young people to do things that transform our world, inspired by Catholic social teaching. Details can be found at http://www.millionminutes.org/grants/

I love Birmingham!

Maybe I'm biased, but Birmingham is where it's at. Although it's about a decade since I last lived in God's own Archdiocese, it's still a very important part of my story. And my story is the story of BCYS.

I'm a Stafford boy, and BCYS for me was Diane Lamb, a fearless woman with a big laugh and a dodgy car. I wonder if she still has them both?!

From my stint in the Staffordshire Youth Team (helping to run youth Masses) when I was about 16, to the ecumenical work I did with Churches Together in England a couple of years later and even representing England and Wales at a memorable Catholic conference in Hungary aged about 20, BCYS was all about offering me and my peers opportunities to get involved and grow.

And then there was the Lourdes trip and the Walsingham jaunts, and even a World Youth Day. All very Catholic.

They were important times, growing in faith along with a group of amazing young people, with the support of greats of the Archdiocese like Diane Lamb, Eddie Clare (a big MM supporter!), Mark Crisp, Maria Bracken (Robinson back in my day!) and Jo Boyce. I was always a bit daunted by their all-round aceness, frankly!

So it's a massive thrill to be able to work with BCYS as partners in this November's silence now that I'm all grown up (29 going on 19). Two brilliant Catholic youth charities doing what they do best to support and encourage a new generation of young people grow into the people the world needs them to be.

It's testament to BCYS' long term vision. How did Oscar Romero put it? "We are prophets of a future not our own". That's about right. And I'm not the only one, you know. Birmingham youth are spread the world over (I saw one working with young people in New Zealand the other month).

So let's hear it for BCYS, but SHHH! let's do it in silence!

Daniel Hale is Campaigns Officer at Progressio and a Trustee of Million Minutes. He lives in London, in constant sadness that it's not quite as good as Birmingham.

Missio and Million Minutes!

The people who work at Missio are staying silent for a whole 24 hours. They already work for a charity; their work helps to raise funds and channel the support of thousands of Catholics in England and Wales who make the mission of the Church possible around the world.   They love their work - they know the difference their work makes to communities and vulnerable people around the world.

Here’s what they had to say

• "We are inspired by Million Minutes to stand in solidarity with young people here and around the world so that they can be helped to live lives that respect their worth and help them fulfil their potential and make a contribution to a world that is better for everyone.

• There are lots of reasons why we want to stay silent on 17 May. Here are some of them:

• -We believe in young people and care about what happens to them
• -We want to help young people take an active part in their communities
• -We want to be quiet and listen to God speaking through young people
• -We want to pray together for young people who are vulnerable and isolated and for all those who work with them offering fresh hope and opportunities
• -We want to give thanks for having the opportunity to do something about it’

• Young people, especially those at risk, have been at the heart of Missio’s work since 1842, particularly because it is they who are the apostles to other young people.  We are proud to share Million Minutes wonderful initiative and it will be a delight to have a haven of quiet – even for a few minutes."

Mgr John Dale, Missio National Director

You can sponsor the Missio team at www.bmycharity.com/frjohn

We Made It!

Thank you and well done to everybody who was silent over the weekend! Some people found it difficult at first, and others odd at times, but we're hearing that more than anything else people found it an incredibly rewarding experience and didn't want to stop!

Here's what a few people have said:

• "Well, against all the odds I did manage to stay silent for 24 hours. The computer, phones, radio and television were all switched off and for the first few hours, I found it quite difficult. When my 24 hours were up, I was a little sad. I had gotten used to the silence and quite liked it. So I waited another hour or so before switching on my e-mail account and turning on the phone. Perhaps, I should try and have one quiet morning a week."

• Louise, St Edmund’s, Millwall

• "I had to flee from the parish for my day of silence – but I brought so much back to it as a result!  There is a great creative power of silence.  Silence is valuable – but it can so easily be an embarrassment; we feel the need to fill every lull in conversation by saying something – anything!  But the sign of a deep relationship with someone is to spend time in silence with them and not feel uncomfortable about it."

• Fr Eddie Clare, Parish Priest, Redditch

• "I have just completed my 24 hours of silence for Million Minutes. I started my silence finding things to do – dye my hair, paint my nails, update my blog, download some music, sleep, clean the house. And then I needed to find the peace and I feared this may be difficult. But I was looking forward to the silence because I needed time, time to sort my head out, to find my inner peace, to organise my thoughts and spend time in prayer."

• Anna, from Cardiff

A group joined Margaret Mizen for a silent walk from St. Paul's Cathedral to Westminster Cathedral, peaking after her silent walk Margaret Mizen said:

• “This has been amazing. We have acted in solidarity not just with the hundreds of people staying silent across the country but also with those young people whom Million Minutes hope to support. Young people today are wonderful and we must continue to promote how wonderful they are.”

Do email your experiences to info@millionminutes.org and good look to all of those who are still to stay silent!

NEW PRESS RELEASE

We have a new press release with details of our day of silence on May the 8th. To see it, simply click here.