Newsletter Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief Published Dec 2024 Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief The Manager’s corner Merry Christmas!!!The days running up to Christmas are normally full of fun and laughter, with Christmas trees, decorations, lights, craft markets, shopping for last-minute presents, parties and Carol singing. It’s what makes this season of Advent special. Christmas calls us back to what is important. It makes us grateful for the good things we enjoy. It makes us aware of the less fortunate and moves us to help. The Christmas story, about how God came to save us and to raise us, is a story of love. Jesus did not come as a powerful king or a wealthy celebrity. He came as a baby born in a most humble setting. God is not far off in the skies like a distant star or planet; He is with us, Emmanuel, here and now. The Christmas story gives us hope, the hope that things will get better, the hope that one day all that is wrong will be made right. As the year comes to an end, I wish on behalf of Just Youth, to express our profound gratitude to the Spiritan Province for the constant support to the Project. To our cherished benefactors and benefactresses, school Chaplaincies, St. Peter’s RC High School, St. John Vianney’s School, Our Lady’s RC High School, St. John Henry Newman’s Catholic College and the countless partnered schools, thank you. To the Just Youth Team of Priests and Volunteers, I say thanks very much for your unwavering commitment to the progress of the ministry. Your dedication sets a shining example. Through challenges and triumphs, your unyielding commitment shines like a guiding star. Your hard work fuels our collective achievements. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a super joyful New Year! Just Youth’s Outreach For the past two years, Just Youth’s outreach program has been up and running efficiently and effectively. This is a program that brings together young people from different areas to have fun discover talents and learn new things at the Spiritan Centre. Despite the humble beginning, the team did not give up. It is always a joyful moment to welcome young people and to make some impact in their life. Just Youth is very proud of our young people who have been part of our Outreach Program. The parish of the holy spirit Nearer to altar !!! ………….. Nearer to God !!! Just Youth team facilitated a day’s training for the altar servers of Holy Spirit Parish. Holy Spirit Parish comprises three churches namely, St Brigid’s RC. Church, St Anne’s RC Church, and St. Willibrord’s RC Church. It was a happy day as the young boys and girls of the Parish engaged themselves in day training which emphasised what is expected of them as an altar server. How to serve on the altar, and the qualities required as an altar server. The training started with a warm welcome from the Parish Priest, Fr Mathias Odawdo CSSp. There were lots of interactive and fun activities during the training. The team did practical training for the servers on how to serve on the altar and other teachings relating to the history of altar servers including the patron saint. They were taken through the identification of items used during the celebration of holy Mass. Towards the end of the training, the servers were given a card ‘‘My Altar server’s journey card’’ where they made their promise to God. A massive appreciation to the parish priest and some parishioners who volunteered to be with the servers. The training ended with a final blessing. St. Aidan & Oswald R.C Primary School “A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.’’ ….. Neil Peart. Just Youth team was privileged to journey with the pupils of St Aidan & Oswald R.C Primary School on their new school mission on 5th and 6th September 2024. The retreat involved the whole school.The pupils reflected on the outstanding values in their school mission including teamwork, respect, patience, equality, peace, stewardship, charity etc. Each class made an amazing craft with the mission values. A massive thanks to their amazing staff for their support. The retreat was concluded with a Holy Mass. Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief Published Dec 2024 Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief The new manger Where will He (Jesus) be born? A teacher got it interestingly after advising students; “I teach you to be innovative and think outside the box”. A smart student draws attention to respond, “Miss, thinking outside the box, I believe Jesus will reflect well before allowing himself to be born”. Funny! We each year, celebrate Christmas, but have we taken time to think about where He has to be born? This year has been productive, your charitable works, your dedication to worship and other religious animations make me not hesitate to find Jesus being born in your hearts. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to you all and individually for your encouragement, motivation and inspiration in diverse facets of the school’s life. Your efforts in fashioning a befitting value for the children call for recognition. As the year ends, I wish you all the very best of a joyful celebration and a promising new year to come. God bless you and make your heart the new manger for the baby Jesus, this year. Shalom Ss John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School-Colne This year, Just Youth had the opportunity to go to the school premises to facilitate the Year 7 retreat and Year 11 reflection day. On the 15th of October, Just Youth had a fantastic encounter with Year 7. The topic was centred on Community, a theme Just Youth most often proposes for Year 7 to discuss different values to create a good school community where everyone is welcome and accepted irrespective of their background. On the 12th of November, Just Youth had a reflection day with Year 11 on Moving On. This was an opportunity to discuss with students and help to understand the importance of making good decisions and seeking advice during this transition period. Masses were celebrated at the end of both days. Just Youth team enjoyed the discussion with the students and learnt a lot from them. A special thanks to Andrew who always decides for Just Youth to come to the school. Advent Retreat at St Peter’s RC Primary School-Middleton Advent is a season when Christians prepare for Jesus Christ’s coming. During this time, St Peter’s RC Primary School invites Just Youth to facilitate an Advent retreat to help their students understand the meaning and importance of Advent. In order to prepare themselves for Christmas. The day started with an Assembly led by Just Youth and activities in each year group. The team gave each student footprints on which they wrote what they wished to do as they prepared themselves for the coming of Christ. Those footprints were pasted on the Advent Journey’s poster. Just Youth appreciated and enjoyed every moment we spent at St Peter’s RC Primary School. The students are welcoming and always eager to participate in the activities. St Peter’s RC High School -Gorton Just Youth facilitated the whole Year 7 retreat. Thanks to Mrs Mary White, Fr. Joel (chaplain), and the RE department, we had three fantastic retreat days and enjoyed each discussion with the students, who impressed the team with their confidence and maturity. St John Henry Newman’s Catholic College-Oldham St John Henry Newman’s Catholic College trusted Just Youth and allowed the organization to journey with them this academic year. Just Youth’s presence is visible in the school through the presence of Fr. Joel every Thursday as the school chaplain. With the support of the Headteacher, the leader of the Catholic Life of the school, Just Youth facilitated a three day retreat for year 7 on the theme of LOVE, one of the school’s values. The retreat was an opportunity for the school to welcome all the year 7 students and to help them appreciate the importance of love in building a better school community. The team was impressed by the welcome from the whole staff, especially the Headteacher and the head of the Catholic Life who did everything possible to ensure a successful and fruitful retreat. St. Gabriel R.C High school Bury It was a joyous day as just youth team held a day retreat for year 7 students of St Gabriel RC on 17th September 2024. The theme of the retreat centered on community. The students were actively involved during the group discussion which emphasized what community is all about, factors that can destroy our community, factors that can lead to the growth of our community and different values needed for the betterment of our community. A good amount of time was given to the students to discuss, share, ask and present important points on how to resolve the different challenges we face in our community daily. The team happily responded to their questions. Toward the end of the retreat, a paper leaf was given to each of the students, they were meant to write what they could give back to their community to make it a better place. At the end, the students were presented with a tree craft made with their leaves. The retreat ended with a blessing from the priest. St. Michael’s Watford Just Youth had a fantastic day with year 7 students at St Michael’s Catholic High School from 25th to 27th November 2024. A special thanks to Fr Benedict CSSp and the staff involved in the cause of the retreat. The retreat focused on community. There were lots of fun activities and icebreakers to keep the students active throughout the retreat. Other activities included group discussion, acting on different professions thereby suggesting what they can do with their various careers, the students discussed the importance of having a role model to look up to as they strive to make their community a better living place. The students participated actively during the three-day retreat; they were given a leaf to write their contributions toward achieving the best community. The retreat ended with a holy Mass.At the end of the Mass, the team presented a tree craft to the students which was made from the leaves that were given to them. Kudos to the school for constantly keeping in touch with Just Youth. Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief Published Dec 2024 Just Youth in brief - Just Youth in brief My name is Francis Dinh Tuong Bui. I am from Vietnam. As a seminarian of the Spiritan (Holy Ghost), I took my first vows on 12 August 2023. I just arrived in the UK about three and a half months ago. The first few months were quite difficult for me because European culture is different from Asian culture. Moreover, language was another big challenge. I love youth work. I was happy when I knew I could work in Just Youth. Two years for PME (Pastoral Ministry Experience), is a good opportunity for me to learn a lot of things such as language, European culture, and traditions and spread the love of God to the people. Do you know the reason why I want to become a missionary? Because I am impressed by the words of my Patron Saint (Francis Savier) that many people in these places have not yet become religious, just because there is a lack of people to Inspire them. And the word of our Founder: Live with the Poor, for the poor and together with the poor. The poor, not only lack food to eat, and the materials to use but most importantly the poor in spirit, the lack of knowledge of God. So that’s why I want to follow Jesus and to bring the Gospel to everyone. Keep me in your prayers as I embark on my missionary journey.-Francis Hello, my name is Louange GELOUBA. I come from Congo Brazzaville, I joined Just youth about a week ago and I am fully satisfied with life in the community, and I am sure I am in the right place, and I hope the days to come will be an enriching experience for me. God bless us! Hey, my name is Fr. Fabias. Originally, I come from Uganda and was appointed to the British Province for mission in Just Youth community in precise. I have been part of Just Youth for now close to five months. So far, my experience here, has been enriching and very resourceful. I settled in tremendously well, of course with a great support and guide from every team member. I highly appreciate my brother priests for their kind welcome and patience accorded to me ever since I joined this team. Together, we are strong!All this while, I have appreciated the words of Henry Ford who reminds us that, Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. Indeed, our success as a team has been primarily based on teamwork and commitment right away from preparation time, meetings and finally delivering. Just Youth motive is to facilitate the spiritual, psychological, physical and emotional development of the young people thus empowering them to engage in issues of social and global justice and become active citizens in their own communities. And therefore, this mission can only be possible by working as a team with a collective interest.When we read Colossians 3:23 St. Paul, reminds us to ‘work willingly at whatever we do, as though we were working for the Lord rather than for people’ So, this attitude interests our mentality towards serving others even without counting the cost. Finally, to our esteemed readers, work partners, friends and Just Youth team we want to thank you profoundly for journeying with us, may God bless you all. Wishing you a merry Christmas and grace-filled new year.-Fr. Fabias Contact Office hours: 8am – 5pmjustyouth@spiritans.co.ukmanager@justyouth.co.uk Address Just Youth The Spiritan Centre Northallerton Road, Lower Kersal, Salford M7 3TP Open in Google Maps Social media Instagram Twitter Youtube Whatsapp email: justyouth21@gmail.comWhatsapp: +44 745 9039 229