Bishop Peter celebrates 40 years’ service as a priest
July 14, 2024
A Radio Maria England Youth group from St John Fisher Cambourne and St Mary’s Catholic School in Cambridge have been sharing their broadcast and media skills with young people from other dioceses, Mel Ward reports.
The Radio Maria England Youth (RMEY) team visited The Briars, Nottingham Diocese Youth Service retreat centre in Crich near Matlock in May.
Ashish now studying medicine in London, Maryam studying music at Pembroke College Cambridge, Alfie in Y13 at Hills Rd Sixth Form and Upe in Year 11 at St Mary’s Cambridge took a day off studying to help teach various diocesan youth teams – the equivalents of our own diocesan Ignite crew – about their skills and successes.
They shared their story of embracing media to bring the gospel to youth of all ages – especially during lockdown when we were all trying to find creative, cheerful and compassionate ways to be church.
Their audience loved the TikTok’s such as ‘Wednesday Word’ which shared short, but thoughtful punchy reflections upon scripture as it spoke to them in their daily lives and memes which prompted the kind of imaginative consideration of aspects of our faith we might too easily take for granted, like mini parables!
Their adaptability and enthusiasm were greatly appreciated by their audience who are giving a year or so of their lives to serve the church in youth ministry.
After a hearty lunch and basketball and banter, the crew led a practical workshop which enabled teams to produce and present parts of an RMEY special about ‘Meeting Change’ and focused on areas such as the challenges of adolescence, moving country and answering Gods call. The volunteers spoke movingly of how their faith had helped them to face and to work through difficult times and offered practical and positive suggestions to help. These were blended artfully with scripture and prayer and encouraging song.
It was a great day remembering and appreciating and sharing how the Holy Spirit worked through them and supporting parents and adults at RME.
Look up the Radio Maria England Youth videos on YouTube!
Pictured top are the RMEY team and, below, a practical workshop.
