Ellesmere Port LPA Youth Ministry Course 2009

Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter replied, ‘Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said to him ,‘Feed my lambs.’ John 21 Verse 15

During late April 2009 the plan for a LPA Youth Ministry Course finally became a reality. A total of fourteen parishioners from across the LPA, including some current members of our Lourdes Youth Team took part in the course. The original idea for this course has its roots in our ‘LPA & Ellesmere Port Catholic High School Forum.’ The purpose of this particular forum is to support, create links and progress all aspects of ministry taking place across the LPA and in the High School, this will of course especially include ministry to our children and young people.

The forum agreed that the formation of a LPA Youth Ministry Team, working closely with all of our schools, would represent a fantastic opportunity to improve and develop our youth ministry. To this end, the potential for a course being delivered to assist and support members of the team was discussed and recognised to be a very good idea.

With generous financial support from the High School and also from the LPA, a plan for the course was possible and began to take shape. After a short period of advertising and promotion the brave volunteers stepped forward. The course was very ably led by Peter Siney (Chaplain to Ellesmere Port Catholic High School) and was conducted over six, two hour sessions held at the school. Peter demonstrated a tremendous wealth of experience in youth ministry and was able to lead the group in considering numerous aspects of this work. The topics included consideration of the following subjects;
Exactly what is youth ministry? What are the objectives? How best to go about it? Current youth culture, Our modern society and the Role of the church also featured. It would not be possible in this brief report to list all aspects of the course, but suffice to say that it certainly covered a great deal more than most of us would have anticipated.

During the first weekend in July 2009 the volunteers all attended a residential weekend held at the Franciscan Retreat Centre in Pantasaph, North Wales. Yet again Peter set about doing his best to prepare the team for their current and future ministry with children and young people. This proved to be a very busy, informative, fruitful and enjoyable weekend. It must be noted, that had we gone to bed a little earlier, as opposed to extending our late social hours, we might have been a little fresher for the day ahead! However, even the social time together, generated some lively debate and exchange of opinions concerning many aspects of ministry and life in the church.
Over the course of the weekend Peter was again able to lead us through a number of subjects and activities; particular emphasis was placed on liturgy & prayer with young people, residential work with young people, and the way forward for our ministry across the LPA.

All who attended agreed that the course was a huge success and it has certainly provided the team with some food for thought, together with ideas for the way forward. Our aim is to further establish and develop our ‘LPA Youth Ministry Team,’ continue to attract new volunteers and to extend our capabilities.
We look forward to using this new found knowledge and enthusiasm in our team ministry as we work in support of children & young people from across our four parishes community.

This report would not be complete without including a special word of thanks to Mr Peter Lee, the Head at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School. His constant support in our Youth Forum greatly assisted in making this course a reality and he continues to be very supportive in many areas of youth ministry. In Peter Siney, we are also privileged to enjoy the support of a very talented and experienced school chaplain. A very sincere thank you is extended to him and to all who support this vital ministry.

If you are interested in joining the team, have any ideas to share or would like more information concerning youth ministry in our parishes & schools, please speak with Deacon Tony or make contact with the LPA office at St Saviour’s Great Sutton.