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YOUTH MINISTRY TRUST
Youth Service of the RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
“Blessed are the merciful
for they shall receive mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:13
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36
“For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call on you.”
Psalm 86:5
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion
on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:9
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 26:36
We aim to encourage young people into a relationship with Christ and fully into the life of the Church.
Download The Examen here
To download, right-click on the orange button and choose the Save/Download option.
The Examen with a Male Prayer Guide
The Examen with a Female Prayer Guide
Adapted from the Ignatian Spirituality by the Youth Ministry Team
What's on
Youth Ministry Conference
Free of Charge
Saturday 9 November at St Mary's Cathedral from 1-3pm (and beyond). International speaker, Katie Prejean will be the inspiring us on that day.
Faith in Action Awards
Various Age Groups
Pope John Paul II Awards
Photo Gallery
Have your say
Have you got something to tell us or a story you wanted to share? Please use this form to tell us
what you think. Submitting this form will generate an email to the Youth Ministry Trust and does not automatically publish your story on our website. Names and email addresses will not be published.
What you've been telling us
It was such an amazing experience and has made me feel so much closer with God and has made my faith so much stronger. I’ve loved this experience as it was entertaining and eye-opening.
I found the retreat spiritual but in a personal way that makes sense. It also strengthened my relationships with friends because we will always have these memories.
Even better than last year, very inspiring to see so many young people being honest and open. thanks to all the team and i look forward to seeing you next year.
I think to see the effect of the mission you just have to wander
around in here for the buzz from the kids. The amount of time someone has come up to me and said how much they have enjoyed it, how moved they were by it, the tears that were coming (in a good way).
It was really quite moving.
Truly inspirational – great food for the journey. Wonderful organisation – we are so fortunate to have these events. A million thanks!!
Without you we're youthless
First Summer Festival in 2001 at Ushaw College
Our story so far
The Youth Ministry Team was established in 1994 by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths to answer the call of the Second Vatican Council: ‘The young should be the first apostles of the young, in direct contact with them, exercising the apostolate by themselves, among themselves, taking account of their social environment’. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 12)
From the beginning, we gathered together young adults from all over the world to live in community and to give school missions. At the heart of the mission experience is the message of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. Over the last 25 years, this community has continued to be at the heart of the work of YMT providing peer ministry through the generosity of young volunteers from almost every continent.
We aim to help young people to discover their own unique value and to reach their full potential. We have developed a strategy of school missions, residential retreats and local area youth ministry. We supports the adults who work with young people, helping them to provide opportunities for young people to grow in faith and take their place in the Church sharing their unique gifts and taking up their responsibility in the world.
In 2010, the Emmaus Youth Village, formerly known as 'Youth Village', was opened, a residential centre which allowed us to offer a truly holistic experience which creates a lasting impact on those who participate and enables young people from many different backgrounds and starting points to explore faith and life issues in a relevant and interactive way.
The Youth Ministry Team was established in 1994 by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths
We started giving missions in primary and secondary schools
We present the Gospel though dance, music, movement
We present to Gospel in a lively and creative way
We work with adult leaders in parishes and deaneries across the diocese
During the Feast of Christ the King we also celebrate National Youth Sunday
In 2001 we started the Diocesan Secondary Schools Summer Festival
Our aim is to encourage young people into a relationship with Christ
Sr Helen Prejean, author of 'Dead Man Walking', has spoken many times to our young people
In 2010, we opened the Youth Village, a residential centre for young people
We offer a place for young people to take a retreat and a bit of me time
Peer ministry is at the heart of our work at the Emmaus Youth Village
We cater not just spiritually but gastronomically as well
Every first Wednesday of the month we gather at St Mary's Cathedral for 'The Source'
Our Ministry
We begin the process through initial proclamation, whereby the team carry out various activities such as school missions, outreaches, and monthly events. It is in these activities that we present the Gospel in an interesting and radical way, through drama, dance, music, and multimedia – a language that is most effective and appealing in today’s youth culture.
Initial Proclamation
Retreats and Follow-up
Area Development
Each mission reflects upon the basic gospel message, presenting in a lively, modern and interesting way the God of Love whose desire is that all of us reach our full potential. We proclaim and announce God who accepts us where we are and loves us so much that he challenges us to grow and experience the fullness of life (Jn 10:10).
Recognising evangelisation as a process, we enable young people to experience a retreat and to grow in their faith in an environment where they will feel comfortable and relaxed. YMT strongly believes that retreats are a very important part of the faith journey of our young people and is essential to our work in evangelisation.
We hope that, through the support of parish or deanery area groups, young people can experience a sense of belonging and be enabled to grow as members of the Church community in faith and service. The training and support of adults is an important part of this process.
Number of young people we have encountered
since 9th September 2019
Young People
Gap Year Programme
Get more in life. Experience a YMT Gap year.
Overview
Get a taste of a life of a Gap Year Team Member
The Youth Ministry Team (YMT) gathers together young people (18-30) from all over the world, from August to July, to live a community lifestyle and work as part of a team. The Gap Year Team members are given training, ongoing formation and support while they embark as a team, planning and carrying out school missions, retreats and activities for the young people of the diocese.
Since we started in 1994, we have had members from all over the world such as the USA, Philippines, Australia, and Cameroon, to name a few. Gap Year Team Members must be willing to grow in a relationship with God, learn more about their faith and help other young people on their faith journey.
We are constantly amazed and uplifted when young people of all ages respond and receive a new vision and a new insight into themselves and the God who loves them. The work of the Gap Year Team is essential work and is a life changing experience both for them and for those to whom they minister.
Applications to work with our Gap Year Team in August 2020 are now open.
Requirements
18-30 years old
willing to grow in a relationship with God
willing to learn more about our faith
willing to create new ways of communicating the Gospel
willing to help other young people in their relationship with God
CAFOD Partnership
Step into the Gap is an exciting new venture for CAFOD and YMT that offers a joined up programme for leadership development during a Gap Year. It consists of a rounded experience, with elements that take place both overseas and in the UK, which allows participants to explore and express their faith and develop their abilities to take a lead in bringing about a more just world. It bridges the 'gap' between the elements of adventure and service that occur in many traditional year out schemes.
UK Experience
Overseas Experience
- Work with an international team and community with YMT
- Receive training and formation in communicating the Gospel to young people
- Work with young people in a variety of settings: school, parish, retreat centre
- Bring new perspectives from your overseas placement to enrich the community
- Bring new perspectives to the work of CAFOD in the UK
- Discover things you didn't know about yourself as you develop new skills
- Explore your faith
- Take up a four to six-week work placement in Africa, South America or Asia with a CAFOD partner on grassroots community development projects with others from the UK
- Training and preparation before you go
- Get to know a country in a way that you never could as a backpacker
- Get to know a community in depth - eat, drink, sleep, work, pray, celebrate, and share your life with those you meet
- Be prepared to be changed by the encounter
- Make new friendships
- Discover new perspectives
- Explore your faith
- Reflect on your role in a global society
Team 2019-2020
Ann Oshegbu
North Shields, UK'The Lord is my shepherd.'
Psalm 23
Energetic · Smart · Beautiful
Saturday
Monday
Night
Morning
Autumn
Winetr
Hip-Hop, Rap
Pop
English Literature
ChemistruInstagram
Facebook
Jellof Rice,
Mash and Gravy
'It takes a village
to raise a child.'- Old African Proverb
Dominka Ostrega
Wojkowice, Poland'Let all that you do
be done in love.'1 Corinthians 16:14
Kind · Sensitive · Joyful
Friday
Wednesday
Late Morning
Early MorningSummer
Autumn
Soul, Classical
Metal
Maths
History
Instagram
Tic Tok
Waffles + Ice cream
None
Live your dash.
Linda Ellis
Hannah Bartlett
County Durham, UKFor I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11
Calm · Enthusiastic · Giggly
Fridays
Mondays
Meal Times
Early Mornings
Autumn
Summer80s
Heaby Metal
R.E.
Maths
Spotify
Health AppMexican
Peanuts
It's always impossible
when until it's done.
Nelson Mandela
Josie Shilcock
Consett, UKTrain up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Bubbly · Enthusiastic · Chatty
Saturdays
Mondays
Lunch Time
MorningAutumn
WinterFrank Turner
One Direction
Philosophy
Maths
Spotify
FacebookVeggie Lasagne Bacon
We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh. - 11th Doctor, Doctor Who
Kayne Whiteman
Coventry, UKAll that I have is yours...
but your younger brother is lost and now he is found.
Luke 15:31-32
Firm · Funny · Easy
Friday
Monday
4.00pm
8.00am
Autumn
Summer
Soul, R&B
Indie
Maths
History
Spotify
Tik Tok
Desserts
Fish
Go hard or
go home.
Lewis Humphreys
Newcastle. UKMy son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Luke 15:31-32
Kind · Happy · Polo
Saturday
Thursday
Night
Morning
Autumn
Summer
Heavy Metal
Bonkers
Science
BusinessClash Royale
SnapchatPotato
Sprouts
Do or do not.
There is no try.- Yoda
Niamh Newton
Chester-le-Street, UKIn the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17
Ambitious · Tired · Determined
Saturdays
Mondays
Night Time
Early Morning
Autumn
SummerMusicals
Heavy Metal
Politics
Physics
Messenger
Alarm
Pizza
Mushrooms
When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. -
Malala Yousafzai
Ruth McGivern
Gateshead, UK
I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. - 2 Kings 20:5
Loud · Whirlwind · Annoying
Saturdays
Tuesdays
Dinner Time
bed TimeAutumn
WinterDance
Silence
English
Maths
Spotify
SnapchatMam's Lentil Soup
Mushroom
Shy bairns get nowt.
Gap Year Interest Form
YMT Stories
Phillip Salkeld
Fr Paul Verla
Anna Forsberg
Welcome to Emmaus Youth Village
Opened by Ant & Dec, the Emmaus Youth Village is at the heart of the North East region and is in close proximity to many famous landmarks and attractions including Durham Cathedral, Bede’s World, Holy Island, Hadrian’s Wall, Beamish Museum and the Metrocentre.
The Emmaus Youth Village, which houses a group of international volunteers living in community, provides a variety of youth ministry opportunities across schools and parishes throughout the region.
Guests to the Emmaus Youth Village will enjoy state of the art facilities which include an auditorium and dining hall accommodating up to 98 people. They can stay in twin and triple en-suite bedrooms spread across four attractive chalets and use spacious gardens, playing fields and a chapel for prayer and reflection.
In addition to the young people who are invited to use the Emmaus Youth Village for retreats, it also offers an ideal venue for different occasions such as adult conferences and meetings.
Key Features:
- Large Capacity Auditorium and Dining Hall
- 98 beds spread across 4 chalets
- Twin and Triple en-suite Bedrooms
- Underfloor heating
- Surrounded by 60 acres of land
- Wi-Fi Facilities
- Disabled Access
- Areas for prayer and reflection
Booking Query
Pope John Paul II Award
The Award was created to commemorate the late Pope John Paul II who was so committed to young people and who had such belief and confidence in them.
Through the Pope John Paul II Award, young people in the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese will be enabled to take an active part in the life of their Church, in the life of their community and society, and also become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world. This will enable young people to engage at a deep level with Christ, whose body the Church is.
It will allow young people to understand that religion and faith are not just for learning, nor are they a list of rules, but that they are for living.
Encouraging Parish Awareness
Encouraging Social Awareness
When we are baptised we become members of the Body of Christ. This means that we are called to be the presence of Christ in the world. As the Body of Christ, we belong to the community of the Church. We live out this belonging in our parish. For the Church, for the Body of Christ to be fully alive everybody needs to be actively involved. There are many things we can do in our parish.
Examples of activities that can be done for your Award in the parish are:
- Reading at Mass
- Altar Server
- Eucharistic Minister
- Member of choir/music group
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
- Composing prayers of the faithful
- Welcomer at Mass
- Helping with sacramental preparation
- Preparing articles for the parish bulletin
- Church decoration/flower arranging/church cleaning
As members of the Body of Christ, through baptism, we make Christ present by the way we
treat others. Our faith is lived out most fully in our actions, which is why it is important to be aware of the needs of others and to minister to their needs. That is why ‘Social Awareness’ is such an important aspect of this Award.
Examples of activities in the area of Social Awareness that you could do for your Award are:
- Member of St. Vincent de Paul
- Young leader for CAFOD
- Young leader at parish youth group
- Running a fair trade stall
- Fundraising for a charity
- Regular visitation of residential homes
- Supporting a residential retreat for young people
- Working with the homeless
- Raising awareness of the needs of others
- Volunteering on a parish or community project to support the vulnerable, e.g. Justice and Peace
There may be other activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so, please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee through your Parish or School Co-ordinator, for approval.
Instruction Video on how to fold the 'origami' Record Card
