After a year when so many of us have been separated from loved ones, the theme “Together” has been chosen as schools are invited to the first-ever National Youth Funday on Friday November 20.
Youth ministry teams from across England and Wales will host this exciting live-streamed event, leading young people in prayer and fun activities throughout the day.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols will start the event in prayer and music will be led by Joe Wells of One Hope Project.
National Youth Funday is part of the build-up to National Youth Sunday, which this year is on Sunday November 22, the feast of Christ the King.
This annual celebration is an opportunity to explicitly recognise young people’s important contribution to the life of the local and universal Church.
CYMFed, the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation of England and Wales, is behind both celebrations and has produced resources for this NYS on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
“The way we live, work, study, play and pray have all been changed by the pandemic,” says CYMFed project officer Dominque Finn.
“The most significant change has been not being able to do many of those things together. This year’s theme recognises what it means to be together, with ourselves, with others and with God.
“Pope Francis expresses this beautifully. ‘To come out of this crisis better than before, we have to do so together; together, not alone. Together. Alone no, because it cannot be done. Either it is done together, or it is not done. We must do it together, all of us, in solidarity’.
“One of the biggest changes we have all had to adapt to is social distancing. We know measures put in place are to keep us safe but have resulted in many young people feeling isolated and marginalised.
“With this imposed distance from others, we may have felt an increasing distance between ourselves and God. However, amid all these trials and hardships, God calls us to new opportunities and a life of hope. We look forward to a time where we can freely get together with family and friends.”
National Youth Funday starts at 9.45am and ends with a closing liturgy at 2.10pm. It will be live-streamed on CYMFed’s YouTube Channel, youtube.com/cymfed.
Schools are encouraged to register at nationalyouthsunday.com/nyfd.
Downloadable resources for schools, parishes, families and individuals are available at nationalyouthsunday.com. Resources include prayers of intercession, a children’s liturgy pack, form time reflections and an act of worship.
Follow @NationalYouthSunday on social media for more details.
