From the Diocesan Youth Office:
Dear Friends,
I am happy to write to you all. I hope you are keeping well and making the best use of opportunities around you. How about the weather? Oohhh, for me, I am really looking forward to Summer. I hope it will be warmer this time. It’s been a wonderful time so far in the Diocesan Youth office. I shall use this opportunity to update you especially about upcoming activities to be organized by the Diocesan Youth Service (DYS) and the Scottish Catholic Youth Service (SCYS).
The Youth Lent Retreat was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions at the time. We rescheduled it for Saturday, 24th March. The theme was ‘Called to Serve’’ and it was a time to reflect on the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we are called to share in it. He says to us “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Following in his steps, we shall find out practical ways that we can be of Christian service to others.
The Scottish Catholic Youth Service has fixed Saturday 9th of June for this year’s Scottish National Youth Pilgrimage. The venue is St Andrews Cathedral ground at St Andrews. It will be an opportunity for us to meet friends from the other dioceses in Scotland, share our faith, engage in lots of activities and celebrate the Holy Mass together. The event shall be between 12 noon and 5.30pm. Please register for the pilgrimage by sending your name and contact to youth-office@dunkelddiocese.org.uk . We shall make provision for transport and feeding. More information will be made available towards the event.
Some of us have registered for the European Life-Teen summer camp in Helvoirt, in the Netherlands between July 23rd -28th 2018. This edition is themed ‘Heart of God’. The camp is for 12-19 years old. Unfortunately, registration has closed now for this year, so intending campers may look out for next year’s. Preparations have started already and we wish those attending a wonderful experience.
The group will be led by our dear Caroline Laidlaw. Caroline worked in the Diocesan Youth office for five years. She has been involved in accompanying, leading and organizing trips for young people. Among them are the World Youth Days in Madrid 2011 and in Krakow 2016. Since her appointment at Kilgraston, she has accompanied her school to Rome where she had the responsibility for one of the groups. Recently, she led the school exchange programme to Dehradun in India for two weeks. Caroline is used to living in a residential setting with young people. We are grateful to her for accepting this responsibility.
As we draw closer to the end of the Lenten season, may we be renewed by the Holy Spirit through our many works of penance and charity. Having prepared ourselves, may we celebrate devoutly the Passion and the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I wish you all a Happy Easter celebration when it comes.
Fr Samuel Alabi
Dunkeld’s Director of Youth Formation