US students launching new youth club in Mullingar parish

Three US theology students working for two years in Mullingar parish are hoping that young people in this area will sign up for a new youth group launching this Tuesday, November 23, in Spoutwell Lane.

The youth group, an after-Mass coffee club, faith formation sessions: they’re just some of the innovations being introduced to Mullingar parish by the three students who are spending two years helping with faith activities in Mullingar parish.

“We are part of a programme through the University of Notre Dame and we’re working here at the cathedral for two years,” says Michael Kelley.

He, Tim Ruflin and Grace Gibbons arrived in Mullingar about a year ago: “We were brought over here by Bishop Tom just, kind of, in an attempt to bring a bit of life back into the parish, especially after Covid.

“It was difficult initially - because of Covid - but we're finally able to start to do things now.”

Two weeks ago they launched a coffee morning that runs after 10 am Mass; from today, Tuesday November 28, the group has a new youth club starting from premises in Spoutwell Lane:

“Summit” promises fun, fellowship, faith – and pizza.

“It's going to be meeting every Tuesday from 4.15 to 5.30,” says Michael.

“It's open to all Junior Cycle and TY students from all the surrounding schools.

“We’re trying to bring some of the ministry that we have in the States here to Ireland because they've been successes there. And one of the big things that we do in the States is we have these youth groups which help students kind of engage their faith, and just…establish community.

Youth ministry and trying to get students involved in their faith a little bit more is an area Michael is interested in pursuing: “It seems that that many students think that their faith is something old, something for their grandparents, not exciting, not fun.

“So I'm really trying to challenge that with this group.

“It'll be based on our Catholic faith, our shared Catholic faith, our Christian faith. And there's a lot of fun games, some activities, you know, maybe some trips on the weekends, things like that.

“And free food!”

Summit’s first session starts this afternoon: “We will be meeting every Tuesday with a short break around Christmas. It’s totally free and everybody who's going to be helping out will be vetted, and there will be safeguarding forms they have to sign as well.

Surprise

To Michael, a surprise discovery was that in this country, most schools are Catholic: “I went to a Catholic school when I was in secondary school and it was it was a private school. In the States, it is usually an option: you have to choose to go to Catholic school; like it's a choice, you know. And here, it's just kind of part of the culture, which is great, because, I mean, everyone is initiated in the sacraments and they all have this background to fall back on.”

However, he feels, in some ways, this practice of attending Catholic school is just kind of a cultural thing, and the students don't actually take ownership of it.

“It doesn't seem very interesting to them at the moment,” he fears.

But, generally in this country, he has seen evidence of “a deep, deep faith”, which he finds admirable.

“It goes deep into the culture and everyone recognises it,” he says.

Theology

The three young Americans are studying theology in a graduate programme at Notre Dame.

“We're thinking of going into like, lay ministries: having a normal family life but also just working for the church in some capacity, whether it's as a catechist or a teacher or something like that.

“The programme that we do is partly online, but the bulk of it comes in the summer when we go back to Notre Dame for classes, but we take a few classes online during the school year, though.”

Tasks the team is involving itself in here are varied: “We're involved with the schools a good bit. And then we also help with starting new ministries, so there's a new tea and coffee gathering after the 10 o'clock Wednesday, daily Mass. And we'll be doing things like that on the weekends as well.

“We also help with the parish sacramental programme for the students who aren't in Catholic schools.

“We also we also do adult faith formation, which is going to start this Advent,” Michael says, adding that the trio try to help around the parish generally.

“It's difficult: there's only there's only four priests here. And it's easy for them to get kind of overwhelmed with the work, so we just kind of try and help out where we can.”

*Wednesdays: Coffee morning after 10 am Mass in Bethany House.

* To attend Summit, just turn up at 2 Spoutwell Lane for 4.15pm; follow the group on Instagram at @mullingar_summit