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‘We love because we are loved’
Last month I was able to make time for a pre-Advent retreat. I was invited to reflect on Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. As I read the passage I was aware of how familiar it was; I knew what I had read and what I was going to read. After the first reading of the passage I decided to read it again, slowly imagining myself in the story. And to my surprise something completely unexpected hit me and remained with me. Following the visit of the angels to the shepherds it says that the shepherds “left running”. These were shepherds who were tending to their sheep on a hill-side, and they left running! I’m not sure if you have ever seen shepherds herding sheep, but I can’t imagine that these shepherds would have run with their sheep to see the baby Jesus. Yet they must have left them. They left their sheep!
These sheep were the shepherds’ livelihood, they were their security, and they left them. What an act of witness this is. They left the security of their lives to go to Bethlehem and visit Jesus. And what an incredible impact it had, not only on their lives, but others, too. Later in the passage it says, “All who heard the shepherds were impressed”. Others had seen that they had left their sheep, their security and livelihoods to go in search of Jesus. This act of witness is not on its own. In the Gospels we also hear about the fishermen, who were also called to leave their homes and families to travel with Jesus and spread the good news.
If I put myself in that position, I ask myself, ‘could I do that?’ Could I leave the security of my life, the people I love, to offer my life to Jesus? In other words, do I love Jesus enough to trust in him and his plan for my life? That might seem quite dramatic, but as a Catholic there are often times in my life when I have to give up or leave behind something I love for Jesus. For example, I have to leave the comfort and the warmth of my bed early on a Sunday morning to make time for Mass. I sometimes have to postpone plans with friends to spend time with Jesus in adoration. Or I make the extra effort to do something to help others, by putting my faith into action, which often takes giving something of myself.
Over the course of the past month, I have also been leading a ‘Faith in Action Award’ reflection point with a group of young people. We were reflecting on ‘We love because we are loved’. If I think about the love that Jesus has for me, then I know I have to do my best to love Jesus that much, too. Therefore, this Advent I have decided to ask myself this question: ‘Do I love Jesus enough to make time, space and opportunity for Him to be truly present in my life, so I can be His hands and feet on this earth, His eyes of compassion?’ This is the challenge I have set myself and will be used as an opportunity to prepare myself for the coming of Jesus. I will prepare my heart to welcome and love him with all of my life.
Kate Wilkinson (All Hallows, Preston Chaplain)
Spend time looking for Christ
Advent is a time to prepare. For the coming of Jesus Christ, sure, but also for preparing an inordinate amount of food, presents, and for yourself to see all those family members who only seem to be around at Christmas. Jesus is central to Christmas, but the season demands so much more of us these days. By January we are often left stuffed, stressed and ready to go back to our day to day lives.
However, this advent I offer you a challenge. Of course, you should still do all of the celebrating, eating and greeting outlined above, but I challenge you to spend some time looking for Christ.
Not in the cherub like statue that is in your Church’s manger, but in the young people you encounter.
Young people embody the youth of Christ, yet they are often cast aside for not attending mass enough or are blamed for the problems of the day. We tend to only see the worst in young people, recalling examples of failed encounters, or simply passing off working with them as being too hard, and not rewarding enough.
This could be true, but not because young people are young. It’s because building relationships takes time. As a Church, we cannot expect young people to be falling at our feet asking for help and accompaniment. In many cases young people wouldn’t even know where to turn. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t offer our services to young people and work with them in new and engaging ways.
But as a Church, we need to ask ourselves how prepared are we really? We may offer the odd youth mass, and one Sunday each year dedicated to young people, but can we truly say that we have begun preparing to work with young people, in ways that will be fruitful, supportive and inclusive?
Maybe that’s what we should be preparing for this advent? Preparing for the coming of Christ in the form of young people. Pope Francis reminds us that God ‘is at work in the life of each young person’. The question we need to ask ourselves is: are we missing God’s works and wonders by marginalising young people?
This advent don’t miss out on the joys of young people, or the miracles that God works through them, instead start looking at the potential to work with them and be prepared to be taken to new and beautiful places.
By Sophie Aulton (Million Minutes)
YOUNG PEOPLE GATHER TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD
Over National Youth Sunday weekend nominees from previous ‘Celebrating Young People Awards’ gathered for a young adults alumni gathering in Central London, for a weekend of celebration, formation and networking. The event was powered by Million Minutes in partnership with the Columbans UK.
The event brought together young people aged 17-25 years, celebrating their achievements and commitment to social action. The young nominees included eco-champions, volunteer youth workers, a youth safety ambassador among others.Hands on activities, periods of reflection and time to plan projects aimed to inspire them in their on-going activities to transform society. Catholic social teaching principles - including promoting peace, building community and caring for creation – were at the heart of the weekend. These values came to life in two immersive experiences provided by Jesuit Refugee Service and Pax Christi UK. The young people experienced peace making in the past, present and future with visits to the Edith Cavell Memorial and St Martin-in-the-Fields in Central London, in addition to partaking in a workshop that focused on building awareness of detention in this current climate.
Million Minutes’ co-founder, Danny Curtin, said: “We’ve celebrated 1,000 young people since launching the Celebrating Young People Awards and each and every one of them are inspiring. This weekend we’ve been heartened to see that young people continue to be committed to finding ways to put the values of our Catholic social teaching into practice, seeking a more just, peaceful and equal world.”
The weekend came to a close with Mass at Our Lady of Victories.
You can read up about all our nominees from the past four years here: https://millionminutes.org/awards
Pictures from the weekend can be found at: https://millionminutes.org/makeachange
Young ship visitor among those awarded at Celebrating Young People Awards 2019
A young volunteer ship visitor and a group of urban gardeners were just two of the incredible winners at this year’s Celebrating Young People Awards which have been announced at a glittering ceremony in Central London on 3 July.
The awards – now in their fourth year – were powered by Million Minutes. Hundreds of young people were nominated in six categories, each celebrating a different aspect of Catholic social teaching lived out in action. Danny Curtin, the CEO of Million Minutes said the judging panels were “very impressed by all the young people nominated”.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols presented the Pope Francis Award to 24-year-old Hannah Forrest who is a volunteer ship visitor for Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) in Plymouth. She regularly visits the ships in port and her work has been vital to the seafarers who come across the world and arrive isolated and fatigued. She has also raised awareness of seafarers in her parish, recruiting other ship visitors ensuring that many more seafarers receive a welcome. Cardinal Nichols congratulated her, and the other young people present, telling them that he was so proud “to see and sense the vitality of the faith of our Church embodied in so many of the young people gathered tonight”. He added they “have so much generosity and verve for life.”
Danny and Eva Mizen, who along with his family have worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation since his brother Jimmy was murdered in 2008, presented the Jimmy Mizen award for solidarity and peace. Award recipient Shanea Oldham from St Bonaventure’s School, Forest Gate, has addressed youth safety in Newham; Ellie Heyes from St John Rigby Sixth Form College, Lancashire, supports socially isolated young people while walking the streets with her local church; and Amelia Prajsnar and Lewis Mitchell from St Mary Queen of Martyrs Voluntary Catholic Academy who make up the International Pupil Council who are working on and delivering projects linking to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Danny Curtin explained “Young people all too often get a bad name, but their selfless and sometimes unseen actions can inspire all of us. Million Minutes is all about giving a voice to the young people that get overlooked. We’re delighted to have held these awards for the fourth year to recognise young people from across England and Wales. We want to celebrate all that they are and all that they give to our world.”
The Awards evening announced the launch of a new campaign, Million Minutes of Change. Million Minutes will deliver a message to the young people of England and Wales, letting them know valuable and important they are to the Church. Together, they are being invited to creating a million minutes of social action to help change the world: millionminutes.org/change.
View pictures from the night here
The 2019 Celebrating Young People Awards
The official list for the Celebrating Young People Awards 2019 was announced in London’s West End on the 3 July. Nominations has been gathered from schools, parishes and organisations across England and Wales. The awards, powered by Million Minutes, honour the achievements of those young people who make our communities and our world 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 CYMFed Inspiring Youth Leader and the overall Pope Francis Award, presented by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, were also named during the evenings celebrations.
The nominations recounted examples of ordinary young people with extraordinary commitment. We heard 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 were mental health champions, youth safety ambassadors, eco warriors, volunteers, and campaigners, to name just a few.
The Award list is as follows:
Pope Francis Award: Overall Youth Award
Hannah Forrest – Stella Maris, Apostleship of the Sea (Award Recipient)
St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity
Caitlin Howell-Williams – St Mary Help of Christians, Holyhead (Award Recipient)
Christy Downer – New Hall School, Chelmsford (Award Recipient)
Faith Richardson – St John Fisher RC High School, Wigan (Award Recipient)
Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the dignity of workers
St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School (Award Recipient)
Daisy Alston-Horne – Prior Park College (Award Recipient)
Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace
International Pupil Council Members – St Mary Queen of Martyrs Voluntary Academy, Hull (Award Recipient)
Shanea Oldham – St Bonaventures, Forest Gate (Award Recipient)
Ellie Heyes – St John Rigby Sixth Form College, Lancashire (Award Recipient)
Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the environment
Saint John Bosco College Young Gardeners (Award Recipient)
Tom Allan – St Marys School Menston (Award Recipient)
Annalia Rathoor – Blessed Robert Widmerpool Catholic Academy (Award Recipient)
Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation
Samuel Wilson – St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy, Dewsbury (Award Recipient)
Ashton Baker – Abbey Catholic Primary School (Award Recipient)
Jehnut Bari – St Angela`s Ursuline School, Forest Gate (Award Recipient)
Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor
Anthony Crich – St Bede`s Catholic Comprehensive School and Byron (Award Recipient)
Caritas Team – St John Vianney SEN School (Award Recipient)
Harry Wale – St John Rigby Sixth Form College (Award Recipient)
CYMFed Award: Inspiring Youth Leader
Dawn Wilkinson – St Edwards Parish, Lees (Award Recipient)
Award recipients’ stories can be viewed here
This year’s panellists also decided to recognise several nominations in each categories as 'Highly Commended':
St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity
Sam Tyrer – All Hallows Catholic High School, Preston (Highly Commended)
Declan McEntree – The Barlow RC High School, Manchester (Highly Commended)
Emma Murray – HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust (Highly Commended)
Lucy Forshaw – Loreto College, Manchester (Highly Commended)
Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the dignity of workers
Nick and Chris-Courtyard Wood Green (Highly Commended)
Ben Sinclair – St Thomas of Canterbury (Highly Commended)
Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace
Dominika Lasota – Stonyhurst College, Hurst (Highly Commended)
Amelia Manning – Prior Park College, Bath (Highly Commended)
Holy land Travel Group – Step into the Gap, CAFOD (Highly Commended)
Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the environment
Guardian Angels Impact Group- Young Christian Workers (Highly Commended)
One World Group – St Wilfred’s Catholic School (Highly Commended)
Selena Okonwo – All Saints Catholic School, Dagenham (Highly Commended)
Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation
Molly Christie – St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church (Highly Commended)
Justice and Peace Youth Group – Bishop Eton Monastery Redemptorists (Highly Commended)
Streetspace Boys Group – Frontier Youth Trust (Highly Commended)
Priscilla Casey - Townley Grammar School for Girls (Highly Commended)
Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor
Megan Holmes – All Hallows Catholic High School, Preston (Highly Commended)
Eliza Street – Our Lady and All Saints Parish (Highly Commended)
Sophia Hampson – The Barlow RC High School (Highly Commended)
Award recipients’ stories can be viewed here
Read the highly commended stories here
View pictures from the night here
Youth awards will help Catholic community to realise Pope Francis’ vision
The ‘Celebrating Young People Awards’ are open for nominations. They are being offered as an opportunity to respond to Pope Francis’ recent letter, ‘Christus Vivit’.
Million Minutes CEO, Danny Curtin explains: “Pope Francis has written to the young people of the world, calling them to ‘fight for the common good, serve the poor’ and to bring about the ‘revolution of charity and service’. He calls on the Church to support and encourage all young people in their mission. These awards are a timely opportunity to respond to the Pope’s call, and to show the young people in our midst that we value their commitment to bring the Gospel alive in the world today”.
The awards honour the achievements of young people across the country who make our communities and the world a better place. There are six award categories, which take their inspiration from Catholic social teaching and recognise the enormous, often unseen, social action of young people.
Georges Wisoba (24) and Lucien Nzabandora (25) from St Vincent’s parish in Nechells, Birmingham received the Joseph Cardijn award in 2017. Lucien is encouraging others to nominate young people this year. Reflecting on the difference the award made to him, he explained: “Receiving the Joseph Cardijn award meant everything to us. Just the thought of being recognised and shortlisted was more than what we could have asked for. The award increased our confidence. The greatest thing for me was seeing so many young Catholics, especially those making changes in their communities come together for an evening of celebrations”.
Zoë Ray (18) and Hannah Rai (18) from St Mary's Catholic School in Newcastle received the 2017 Jimmy Mizen award for their commitment to promoting peace and solidarity among young people of different religions and backgrounds. Zoë is urging this year’s award nominees to be confident in themselves and their successes. She says “Take your nomination as a sign you're doing something right. Use this confidence to take your causes further. Set bigger goals, be ambitious. Remember you have a community behind you and you are on the right track. Overall be proud of yourselves, I am thankful there are young people today who are working to secure a more peaceful future, and moreover, making the world a better place.”
Parishes, schools and individuals are invited to nominate young people aged 11-25, who will all be invited to a ceremony in London’s West End in July. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will be the guest of honour and will present the Pope Francis Award, the overall youth award. There is also a category for inspiring youth leader.
Nominations are open now at www.millionminutes.org/awards. The deadline for nominations is the 24 May 2019.
200,000 minutes of silence to speak up for voiceless young people
Parishes, schools, organisations and individuals have joined together throughout Lent 2019 to support to young people, and help raise money to change their lives. Thousands of people taken part in Million Minutes’ ‘siLENT’, creating 195,495 minutes of silence. Their silence has given voice for those young people who are overlooked and silenced in today’s world.
Participants were sponsored for their silence, raising thousands of pounds for youth led social action projects, which help to transform young people’s lives across the country. Just last month siLENT money supported a project for young people from a special needs school in Manchester. The young people are creating an allotment – which is in itself a great thing – but the fruit and vegetables they grow will be shared with local refuges and asylum seekers, who are seeking safety in the area.
Million Minutes' Director Danny Curtin said: "I'm delighted that once again young people and their adult supporters have clocked up hundreds of thousands of minutes of silence! What a testimony to how committed our Catholic community is to young people. Pope Francis, in his letter last month, ‘Christ is Alive’, encouraged the Church to find new ways to reach out to young people and to help them speak up for their peers. siLENT is one way to do that, and we’re overwhelmed by the response.”
Million Minutes also organise the Celebrating Young People Awards, supporting the Catholic community to recognise and honor the young people in its midst. To nominate them for a Celebrating Young People Award, visit: millionminutes.org/awards. Deadline for nominations is the 24 May 2019.
For more information about Million Minutes’ youth social action grants please visit: millionminutes.org/grants
To discover how Million Minutes can support parishes and schools equip young people to take an active role in social action please contact: kate@millionminutes.org
Let’s speak up with silence
We are surrounded by noise. A constant barrage of demands and expectations to do something, to buy something, to achieve something, to become something different. We are pulled in all sorts of directions, stretched and pressured to respond. For young people it can be overwhelming, struggling to discover their place and to find their voice amidst the noise. In the middle of this confusion and stress, their experience of the world is anything but peaceful.
And I am heartbroken by the continued rise in violent crime, highlighted in recent days by the death of two 17 years olds. They had their whole life ahead of them. This violence, the constant pressure, the noise has to stop. We need to make a change.
Our society desperately needs young people who experience peace. We need young people who realise they are valued, and know that they can have a voice and make a difference. In the midst of the noise and the violence, our young people must be a beacon of hope to their peers. We, older adults, need to stand with them and support them. We can help them be the changemakers.
This season of Lent give us an opportunity to seek peace, by giving up some of the things which fill our lives with distractions. There are many ways to do this in Lent, but I encourage you to consider siLENT from Million Minutes. Young people and adults coming together in solidarity to give up some of the things which fill their world with noise (your phone?) and spending time in silence. By reflecting on ourselves and the world around us, we try and find that inner peace.
This collective silence has its own voice. The silence speaks up for those young people who are overwhelmed by noise and violence. Many people will be sponsored for their silence, raising money for projects that promote peace, and give young people a voice – projects like Safe Haven, from For Jimmy.
I will be staying siLENT in solidarity with all you dear young people and I shall be keeping you all in my prayers.
To see what individuals, parishes, schools and communities are getting up to this siLENT please visit: https://millionminutes.org/silent40.To discover more about creating safe havens visit: http://forjimmy.org/building-safe-havens/
Join siLENT at: https://millionminutes.org/silent
Reflection by our champion Margaret Mizen.
Fasting from chatter and remembering dust
I usually fail my Lent commitments. Surely this year, I’ve chosen one which is a manageable minimum - I only have to stay silent for 24 hours!
However, it turns out not saying anything is easier said than done, especially when in company of loved ones. I tried it for half an hour the other day. There was an almost irresistible desire to fill the terrifying gulf of quiet - fill it with anything, even if it is just hot air.
I think this is because I prop myself up by speaking. To feel like I’m being heard, prompting conversation and ideas - this serves as a sort of crutch. Maybe we all have one of these something which reassures us that we’re still ticking and still valuable.
And yet, on Ash Wednesday, we are told “remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” …
Even though this phrase, accompanied by the mark of ash on the forehead, kicks off the penitent season of fasting, we need not read it as an indication of our worthlessness. Even when we are dust and will return to dust, we are dust made alive by God’s breath (Genesis 2). Even when we don’t offer anything, when we don’t “perform” and when our lives seem like useless fallow earth, we still reflect God.
So, I’m looking forward to being silent for a bit. Being freed from all those trumped-up efforts to justify my existence, just watching them roll by like tumble-weeds might be quite a relief…
The other side to the Million Minutes siLENT project is an important form of witness that there are those with less voice or whose voice is less heeded.
Amidst all the unimportant chatter, every so often there is something very important to be said. But how often are they swept under the carpet? And how often are those who speak them silenced?
Francis Stewart (CAFOD Theology Programme Advisor) will be staying siLENT for 24 hours on March 28th along with other individuals, schools, parishes and communities throughout the Lenten season. Please support them in their endeavours by visiting: http://millionminutes.org/silent40
The WYD Experience…
An event calling those from each corner of the Globe to represent. A communion of millions of Young people. Where Heaven meets Earth. This is World Youth Day!
St John Paul ll started WYD envisioning Young People from across the World gathering to celebrate their Faith. WYD provides this rare opportunity and both Poland in 2016 and Panama in 2019 have powerfully shaped my Faith in unique ways.
Before we travelled to Panama we stayed with families from the parish of Sacred Heart Hatillo, Costa Rica. One day, with young people from the Dominican Republic, we helped the local community serve those without a stable home by making sandwiches for them and shared an afternoon playing music and dancing together. This struck me – I realised we were very literally living out the message of the Gospels: “For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink”. (Matthew 25:35).
Later in Panama we shared a time of Adoration with the Holy Father on a field of millions of people. You’d expect noisiness but I heard nothing but silence. Utter silence. I witnessed a sea of people - hands grasped in Prayer, eyes fixed on Jesus. It was so deeply moving to see all of these people, my age, sharing what I believe.
Through these encounters World Youth Day has kindled in me what it truly means to live being Christ-like.
Reflection from Chris Burkette a member of the Walsingham House team.
“Learn from our mistakes”, Cardinal Tagle tells young pilgrims
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila offered a challenge to young pilgrims at World Youth Day (22-27 January 2019). Hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims had gathered in Panama, many of whom from the small Central American countries nearby.
“If the world that we elders have left to you is not as just, as loving, as peaceful as you would like, learn from our mistakes. You don’t need to follow our bad examples; learn from our good examples!” he said.
The remarks came after hundreds of young volunteers donned wireless headphones as part of a ‘silent play’ exploring Pope Francis’ vision of the culture of encounter and Caritas’ global Share the Journey campaign. Each was encouraged to meet a new person and explore their lives and losses, joys and hopes – all in complete silence.
The event ended with a Share the Journey walk through the centre of Panama City to greet the Holy Father as he passed pilgrims in the Popemobile. Hundreds of young people shouted, sang and took selfies along the route, to the bemusement of local onlookers.
Pilgrims from more than twenty countries across all regions of the world came together for the afternoon and the closing session was standing room only at the historic Teatro Anits Villalaz as young people squeezed to hear about migration from Irene, a young Nicaraguan refugee and Jorge, a young campesino from Panama.
Migrants are “human bridges between countries”, Cardinal Tagle reflected. “Do not let prejudice based on ignorance, based on information that lacks evidence to create fear in us.”
Instead we should, “meet a migrant – that’s the way to overcome fear – meet a real person, just like you, and then the fear disappears!”
It is understandable that people in host countries should feel fearful, said Irene, but to overcome the fear of the migrant, we must “look to their humanity” and recognise their rights. “We need to speak about migrants and not exclude them or treat them as if their rights are not important”.
“Being part of this gathering, of Caritas, helping the migrant and the environment, we put in our drop of water to form an ocean, little by little we will change the world,” said Jorge.
“We feel pain and joy, and have rights the same as everyone,” said Irene, “people need to acknowledge us migrants – we are differently equal.”
Reflection from Daniel Hale Million Minutes Trustee and Head of Campaigns at CAFOD (Caritas England and Wales).
Nominations Open for Celebrating Young People Awards 2019
Nominations are now open for the fourth Celebrating Young People Awards. The awards –powered by Catholic charity Million Minutes – honour the achievements of young people across the country who make our communities a better place. There are eight award categories, which take their names from Catholic social teaching and recognise the enormous, often unseen, social action of young people.
Parishes, schools and individuals are being invited to nominate young people. If you know an unsung hero or heroine or a group that have worked together to help their community, put them forward for an award now at www.millionminutes.org/awards.
The award nominees will be invited to attend a special ceremony in London’s West End in July. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will be the guest of honour and present the Pope Francis Award to one lucky young person.
Last year’s Pope Francis recipient was Aaron Omotosho (aged 18) from Loreto College, Manchester. Aaron founded the Help Manchester project which encourages young people locally to support day centres that feed and shelter homeless people each day. He also set up a computing project, Console Code, for underprivileged young people in North Manchester. Aaron has an extraordinary and generous approach to life. For example, he personally helped a refugee with no friends or family in the UK, whom Aaron met him in the library. Acting as a friend, Aaron has given the man invaluable physical and emotional support.
His college chaplain said “Aaron is quite unique as all of this is entirely his own initiative, and he has truly changed people’s lives. Aaron really, genuinely cares about those living in poverty and making their voices heard.” Most people will never know how generous, compassionate and loving Aaron is and has been, but receiving the Pope Francis award shed some light on his fantastic work.
Danny Curtin, CEO of Million Minutes said, “Across the country young people are changing our world in quiet and unassuming ways-week in and week out. It is young people like Aaron who inspire the rest of us to live out social action in our communities. Young people get an increasing amount of stick in the media and wider society, but their energy and commitment is so often inspirational. To our Adult & Young leaders reading, this is your call to action: nominate a young person or group you know for a Celebrating Young Peoples Award today.”
RECOGNISE. NOMINATE. INSPIRE.
From ‘Hey Arthur!’ to “Hey Andy!’
When thinking about detached youth work I often think of the late 90s children's TV show 'Hey Arthur!’ if you're from a certain generation, you'll know and love it too.
It had a catchy opening song, which starts…
‘Everyday when you’re walking down the street
… and the chorus of…
… what a wonderful kind of day.
When we can learn to work and play,
and get along with each other
It’s the anthem for a detached youth worker! It fits so well with youth work that takes you out and about, seeking to be recognised and recognise others. And in that mutual, shared space, allow trust to build between you all.
Who’s Andy then?
I was reminded of this song when we were out on an observation session for the first time in a new parish. There was a big park with lots of interesting and different spaces, one of them being a young people’s Adventure Playground!
Sweeping the front and clearing the yard of this playground was a solitary figure. He didn't seem particularly special, he wasn’t making a song or dance out of anything, but we very quickly found out, that he was actually very special indeed.
Before long two groups came along.
The first was a group of Year 7 or 8 girls, who shouted pass us...
'Hey Andy!
You open?'
Clearly ‘Andy’(meaning the playground) was not open.
I think at this point he was a dragging out a sad looking dead Christmas tree…
'Nah, Wednesday...'
was his reply.
The next group was a young family.
Two teenagers and their baby in a pram. They shouted past us too…
'Hey Andy! When you open?!'
'Wednesday!'
‘Ah great see you then…’
I loved it. Let me tell you why.
Greeting people when you’re out and about in London can be very rare. This was the brazen opposite.
Also it wasn’t just a greeting. I think recognised the young people saying something deeper:
Remember us?
We know who you are… (and what you’re offering us)
We’ve got something we share
(even if it’s just that you open the park for us after school)
And they are trying to do it in a ‘cool’ way. All the meaning is subtly there, in the shout that shows there’s already a layer of rapport and understanding, enough that they’re confident enough to shout out the question, over the heads of stranger.
Maybe I’m reading in too much, but I’ve also experienced this in the past.
Where’s the hot chocolate?
OK we always did take a flask of it along, and of course we also made the best in the world,
but it gave us a focal point. The conversations, games and birthday celebrations (!) and prayers (!!) we shared around that flask.
Where’s Kate?
Recognising the memories and experiences shared with absent members of the team, and recognising their absence, being used as a way to invite some fresh experiences.
And these were very commonly the first thing we would hear when we rounded a corner, sometimes we even saw the young people.
What’s the point then?
I think the most important, and heart-warming bit of this ‘stand-in’ questioning (asking the same odd question again and again) is actually that there are people with whom young people share something with. That they want to engage with these people and what we are being offering. Perhaps the young people, in their own way, are showing these people that they appreciate it, and are stating this publicly, and often in a code that only the people in question understand. I like the recognition and trust that speaks of.
I would love to see more of it in our city.
I’m thankful for spaces for young people, and feel inspired to help make sure there are more.
Hey Andy
I’m thankful for you, you young people
And your the Adventure Playground!
By Tadz Billam (National Coordinator of Courtyard)
Looking ahead to 2019
It`s crazy to think that a little over 4 months ago I arrived and started this job, it’s been a whirlwind of a few months and I am finally getting settled into my role as Engagement Officer. Its been great to meet and travel across London hosting workshops, talks and stalls and networking with all the amazing people we come across. Since I started at Million Minutes, we have employed our latest colleague Sophie Aulton. It`s been wonderful working alongside side her and Tadz in Romero House, Sophie has been a real asset to the team and I have immensely enjoyed having her as my team mate as we attend various events together.
As we look forward to the new year, I am really excited to get siLENT going. Its been great to see individuals, schools, parishes and organisations interested and engaged with Million Minutes. And to have them signed up already onto our siLENT 40 Calendar for 2019 is amazing!
As January approaches I can’t wait to hit the ground running and get as many people possible involved over the coming Lenten season. To those reading this I look forward to working and meeting with you soon, and I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. And to all our friends thank you for your support over the last coming months.
If you are at all interested in siLENT please have a look at our webpage and resources. You can sign up today by going online at: www.millionminutes.org/silent/.
Become a featured participant on our siLENT 40 calendar. Get involved: http://millionminutes.org/silent40
By Kate Eastmond
Rediscovering the joy of waiting this Advent
Waiting. Let’s face it, no-one likes it.
Maybe it’s a London thing but waiting even two minutes for a Tube, bus or train gets me huffing and puffing.
And it’s not just me. From instant streaming to next-day delivery, we want things now and society gives them to us almost immediately.
We simply can’t wait. Every second counts.
But waiting is good for us. The meaningful things in life – from raising children to political change – take time. Advent is an opportunity to remember this.
As Christians we need to take the time to pause and be reflective. The season of Advent is all about waiting. We are all waiting in anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
So let this Advent season be a time of excitement and anticipation, a time with loved ones and family, a time of hope, a time of peace and quiet contemplation, a time to slow down, a time to just be.
That way, when Jesus does arrive at Christmas, our hearts and minds can know the full impact of his arrival.
By Daniel Hale (Million Minutes Trustee)
For Jimmy-Message of Hope
For Margaret and Barry Mizen, the charity For Jimmy has always been for their son. Jimmy Mizen was tragically killed in an unprovoked attack a day after his 16th birthday, at his local bakers in May 2008.
Since that day the family have been determined to focus on two outcomes. First, that they will not be beaten by his death and secondly that something good will come from it for the benefit of young people.
Barry and Margaret share Jimmy’s story across the country in schools, churches, prisons, Pupil Referral Units & community groups. With societies threatened by an epidemic of knife crime Jimmy’s mum, Margaret says that her challenge to young people is to “Go out and be the change makers, the peacemakers, to make a difference.”
Considering this season of Advent, Margaret’s message is one of hope: “With excitement, joy and a sense of deep reflection we anticipate the celebration of Christmas. When I look at the beautiful baby Jesus lying in the crib I am filled with a sense of peace and optimism for the future. That is why I believe we must be there for our young people, who are our future, especially those who are suffering and do not see a peaceful path ahead of them. Jesus showed us how to bring hope to life and at this special time of year my faith is strengthened to bring that hope to our young people and guide them to making a better world. Let us teach our young people how special they are, how loved they are, and how much promise they offer."
Another project of the charity involves creating ‘Safe Havens’ which young people can turn to if they feel they are in danger. Shops and businesses display a sticker that promises protection and staff are trained in how to offer a safe space. These havens help build safer communities for our young people.
How can we help to create safer communities and offer hope this Advent?
Please consider taking two minutes out of your day to say Jimmy’s prayer this Advent Sunday with your communities and young people.
Lord, we thank you for the gift of Jimmy.
Thankyou for the joy he brought to all who knew him.
May his life and witness give hope to all our precious young people.
Amen.
To find out more about the charity please visit: forjimmy.org
We are delighted that Margaret Mizen is one of our champions. It is their message of peace, a principle of our Catholic social teaching, that we want to share with young people.
Encounters at Courtyard
My first month at Million Minutes has gone so fast! I love working in our small but very energetic team comprising of Kate, Tadz and Danny. I have been able to meet volunteers and young people as well as plan engagements events and facilitate workshops. In this time, I have learnt so much about the positive effect that detached youth work can have on young people. Just chatting to young people can make a huge difference. You may be the only person to have spoken to that young person today that hasn’t tried to tell them off or said something negative to them (as often happens in schools to young people who are ‘on the edge’). Our encounters allow us to bring something positive to their day. Building up relationships with young people can really help boost their self-confidence and make them realise they are valuable human beings with so much to offer.
I have also had the opportunity to meet many volunteers, all with different, yet inspirational motives for wanting to help with the Courtyard project. Some are parents themselves or have worked with young people in the past, aware of the hardships that young people experience every day, and others are just compassionate beyond belief, wanting to help others in any way they can. The creativity, drive and compassion they bring to the team is astounding. They will be truly able to bring something to the young people they encounter, accompanying them wherever they want to go.
In the coming weeks I am eager to carryout the events that we have planned to engage more people in Enfield. I am looking forward to meeting new people and telling them about the potential that Courtyard has and seeing how they can bring their own qualities to the teams they will be working with.
December Courtyard events:
‘Pizza Fuelled Purpose’, youth chat & pizza, - Wed 5th Dec eve
Courtyard Coffee Morning’, Enfield Film, questions, cuppas and pastries – Sat 8th Dec morn
You Know Who?!, Enfield Edition, enjoyable mapping event to find young people, volunteers and community links – Wed 12th Dec eve. (flyer below)
‘Streets walk’ learn how we observe our area and groups of young people (observe only, no chatting) – flexible, or - Thurs 13th Dec eve after Parish Rosary
January event:
Offering Hope-Two opportunities to attend conversations around the nuts and bolts of good youth work projects. For more details and to register: millionminutes.eventbrite.co.uk
Additionally, if you would like to find out more about Courtyard then check out our website by visiting: https://courtyardproject.org.uk/
By Sophie Aulton (Courtyard London Worker)
Youth charity picks up challenge of Youth Synod
Stay silent for a change in solidarity with young people
The Synod on youth, which came to a close in Rome at the weekend, has called on the whole Church to accompany young people, including those who are most vulnerable in life. The Synod Bishops concluded with a message to young people declaring that the Church “does not abandon you” and “is ready to accompany you on new roads”.
Bishop Ralph Heskett, who attended the Synod as the ‘bishop for youth’ from England and Wales explained:
“At the end of the Synod, the Bishops called on the Church to accompany young people, including those who are excluded. We’re being invited to ‘stand bravely’ by their side, together discovering how all young people can live with dignity and supporting them to play their part in building today’s world.”
Million Minutes is inviting people to sign up now to use their ‘siLENT’ initiative as an opportunity to respond to this call. During Lent 2019 people are asked to take time to ‘stay silent for a change’ in solidarity with young people who are excluded, for whom silence in society isn’t a choice. Each minute is sponsored to raise money to support projects that accompany young people to change their lives and their local communities through projects that are based on Catholic social teaching.
Bishop Ralph added:
“I’ll be joining siLENT. It’s a great opportunity to be in solidarity with young people and to raise support for them”.
Sarah Burrows, a young adult from London, took part in the Synod preparation meeting in Rome involving over 300 young people from across the world. She says
“I’ll be staying silent in Lent as I see the need turn the Synod vision into a reality. We must seek ways to accompany young people and to enable them to help transform society.”
Joe Beatie, Coordinator of Walsingham House youth retreat center in Brentwood Diocese said:
“As a youth minister, every day I meet the young people that the Synod calls us to accompany. I see their absolute joy and I see the struggles they continuously face. They have so much to share with us and we can learn so much from them, but they need the space to be heard. I look forward to joining siLENT in solidarity with them. I will be speaking up with my silence and helping to raise money to give young people a platform and a voice”.
The money raised from siLENT will help people like Andre. At 16 Andre was isolated from lessons at school due to his behavioural difficulties. Lonely and frustrated Andre was given a second chance when volunteers from the local parish (funded by Million Minutes) encouraged Andre and accompanied him to help out at his local primary school. During the year his confidence grew so much that he built relationships with young people in his local neighbourhood. Knowing what being isolated felt like, he saw opportunities to include others, like supporting a child using a wheelchair to take part in a basketball game with his peers. “I feel empowered,” he said. Andre overcame his own difficulties to use his voice to make a change for other young people.
Danny Curtin, CEO of Million Minutes, said
“Let’s speak up with silence. Sign up now for siLENT 2019. Instead of simply cutting out sugar or chocolate, take time to give up the things that fill life with noise and restlessness. By doing this you will not only allow time for silence, but your sponsorship will make a real difference to young people supporting the Church to accompany young people, especially those without a voice.”
Stay siLENT for a change. SIGN UP TODAY at: millionminutes.org/silent/.
THIS LENT STAY siLENT FOR A CHANGE. GET SPONSORED. CHANGE LIVES.
2018 Caritas Festival
On Tuesday the 2nd of October Million Minutes was delighted to attend the 2018 Caritas Festival in Whitefield, Manchester.
Sr Judith setting up the afternoons activities
Caritas Ambassadors from 22 schools across the Diocese took part in the day`s event. The day provided an excellent opportunity for the young people to interact and share with each other and hear about the amazing projects Primary and Secondary schools had been supporting throughout the year.
It was clear from the energy and enthusiasm in the room that the students loved the day. Highlights included the musical celebration in honor of the New Bishop`s Awards and the afternoon activities, which saw each school given the challenge of figuring out the Superhero behind the 14 Caritas charities present. This enabled the teachers and students to hear from the different charities and as a partner of the event, Million Minutes were able to share our story and network with the schools and organisations present.
Million Minutes was also provided with an opportunity to promote siLENT and our grants scheme. All in all, a great day was had by all.
Million Minutes X Caritas Salford Water Bottles
Million Minutes stand at the event
We've reached the million!
Million Minutes has reached a huge milestone - we've clocked up a million minutes of silence!
Million minutes started in 2011 to give voice and support to young people to change their lives and our world, raising money through sponsored silences
Thanks to a partnership with the Diocese of Brentwood, this Lent we have smashed the million minutes target and are well on the way to our second million.
Million Minutes' Director Danny Curtin said: "I'm delighted that together we've clocked up more than a million minutes of silence! It shows that we're prepared to stand with young people, especially those who don't get heard in today's world."
The last seven years have seen some big new projects, from the Celebrating Young People Awards to the Courtyard detached youth work project.
And the silence continues with siLENT, this year supported by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Delia Smith, Margaret Mizen Bishop Alan Williams and a host of schools and parishes.
Youth-led grassroots projects enabled by the sponsorship are spread across the country - from a children's holiday camp in Basildon to an intercultural programme in Bolton. All of them have young people leading social action on behalf of others.
There's still time to join silent 2018. Take part here
Sponsor someone here