On Saturday, the Diocese of Galloway’s Youth Office celebrated their Easter Youth Gathering. The day took place at St Teresa’s Church in Dumfries. They welcomed sixty-five young people in P5-S4 from across the Diocese who came together for a day of fun and games, faith, and prayer.
The day began with games and activities led by their S3 Junior Leaders, supported by their S4 Junior Leader Mentors – who gave up their day to support the event while also studying for their exams. The team led the young people in a variety of different games and activities, intended to help the young people have fun while also meeting one another and making friends.
Before lunch, the young people heard a talk from Monica, one of the Junior Leaders, reflecting on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how she had experienced them in her own life. She introduced the various gifts and encouraged the young people to be open to the Spirit in their lives and respond to the promptings of the Spirit. During Mass, Fr Kevin, the Diocesan Youth Chaplain, continued reflecting on the theme of the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit – encouraging the young people to open their hearts to the Spirit and to have faith and trust in God so that they may be open to receiving the gifts he is offering them and to being his missionary disciples in a modern age.
After Mass, the group enjoyed lunch – pizza and BBQ – prepared by volunteers from the parish, as well as some fantastic homebaking which parishioners had donated. After lunch, the young people enjoyed more games and activities led by the Junior Leaders.
To end the day, the group gathered in the Church and two of the Junior Leader Mentors – Magda and Feranmi – spoke further on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In their talk, they reflected on how they felt called to live out the Gifts of the Spirit in their lives, as well as giving practical examples from their own experience. Afterwards, the group spent some time in prayer and adoration before concluding with an invitation from the Youth Office team to join them at more of their upcoming events, including the monthly Youth Evenings, Summer Youth Gathering, Whithorn Youth Pilgrimage, Advent Youth Retreat, or Galloway’s Seoul in 2027.
Everyone had a fantastic day with many of the young people enjoying seeing friends from other regions. In addition, the event was one of the first open to P5 as they look towards the move to P6 in the summer. Not only the youth, but the entire Youth Office team had a fantastic day and enjoyed seeing the young people enjoying themselves, as well as seeing so many returning to events showing how much they enjoy being part of Galloway Youth and growing in faith and friendship through these events.
The Diocesan Youth Office runs monthly events throughout the year in all four deaneries, facilitated by their team of Junior Leaders and supervised by volunteers from the Youth Office. These monthly events are intended to help young people grow in faith and friendship, as well as supporting the transition journey for those in P7 and moving to S1.
Throughout the year, the Youth Office also runs larger events – like the Easter Youth Gathering – to bring all four clusters together in order to help young people meet others from across the Diocese and to develop their understanding of their Diocesan identity and the church throughout Galloway.
Learn more about their work, follow their events, and see even more photos on their social media channels: Diocese of Galloway Youth
