Youth Groups
There are several youth groups and groups for young adults around the Diocese of Lancaster. Maybe you have come back from Castlerigg and had a great time and you are keen to get involved and take things further? Just take a look to see if any of these groups are near you. Alternatively, maybe get together with a few others and see what you would like to get going in your area. There are always people at hand to help, and we will support you in whatever way we can. In addition, we offer opportunities for open retreats at Castlerigg each year, the Adventure Weekend for those in Years 7-9, and the Christmas and Easter retreats for those in Year 9 and above. There are also pilgrimages and events for young adults such as Lourdes and World Youth Day. Just keep an eye on the website for details, and keep involved!
Youth Groups (for those in high school and college)
Lancaster and Morecambe Area
Impact Group, runs every other Sunday 6.30-8.30pm for those in Year 9 to Year 12 at St Thomas More’s, St Thomas More Walk, off Willow Lane, Lancaster, LA1 5PT. Contact Maureen Huddleston. Please email huddies@tiscali.co.uk
Preston Area
GFF (God’s Friends Forever) Ages 11 – 16 (Years 7-11) meets on alternate Tuesdays for prayer, fun and to learn more about God’s love for us at St Clare’s. The group is faith-focused and everything we do – whether games, treasure hunts, artwork, group discussion or just spending time together – is specifically designed to help us explore our rich faith and grow in our relationship with the the Lord in an engaging way. 6.30 – 8.30pm @ St Clare’s, Fulwood. More info from Fr. Darren Carden frdarren@saintclares.co.uk or Joe and Ruth White 07957 566741 team@metanoiaproject.co.uk Dates for meeting this term on the website www.saintclares.co.uk
Seekers Ages 8 – 11 (Years 4-6) meets on alternate Tuesdays for faith-based fun. 6 – 7.30pm @ St Clare’s, Fulwood. More info from Fr. Darren Carden frdarren@saintclares.co.uk or Joe and Ruth White 07957 566741 team@metanoiaproject.co.uk Dates for meeting this term on the website www.saintclares.co.uk
Impact Group. meets every Monday night from 7.30-9pm at Our Lady and St Edward’s parish centre, 4 Marlborough Drive, Fulwood. And Wicked Dynamic Youth group meets every alternate Thursday night from 7.30-9pm at St Clare’s parish hall, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood. Contact Terry Mattinson on terry.mattinson@live.co.uk and see their website www.prestonimpactgroup.co.uk
Holy for ages 14 – 18 (Years 10 – 13) Meets on Fridays for prayer, fun and to learn more about God’s love for us. The group is faith-focused and everything we do – whether games, treasure hunts, artwork, group discussion or just spending time together – is specifically designed to help us explore our rich faith and grow in our relationship with the the Lord in an engaging way. 7 – 9pm @ St Andrews and Blessed George Haydock, Cottam Contact Ruth and Joe White on 07957 566741 team@metanoiaproject.co.uk and see their website www.metanoiaproject.co.uk
Blackpool and the Fylde
The Base. A group for those in Year 6 and above meeting on alternate Thursdays in term-time at St Joseph’s parish hall, 16 Woodlands Rd, Ansdell. Contact base@st-josephsansdell.net
St Johns Youth Group meets every Sunday at the church hall on Breck Road, Poulton Le Fylde, from 6.00 until 7.30pm. The age group is 11-17. Activities include football, table tennis. nintendo wii (big screen), air hockey and snooker and arts and crafts. Admission charge is £1.00 and this includes hotdogs, drinks and biscuits, The Club supports two charities – Mary’s Meals and Cafod. Contact Veronica Kelly on veronkelly@hotmail.co.uk
Cumbria
St Begh’s Sparks in Whitehaven. Meets every Tuesday 7-8.30am (Year 7-11) with drop-in cafe for any young people from 8.30-9.30pm at Town House, Queens Street, Whitehaven. Contact Hannah Beckford on stbeghssparks@hotmail.co.uk and check out Twitter @StBeghsSparks
Our Lady’s and St Joseph’s, Warwick Square, Carlisle. Meet alternate Fridays during term time at the parish centre next to the church. Contact Derek Nash on dnashbramlodge@btinternet.com to confirm.
Groups for Young Adults (16+)
Besides opportunities to serve in the Diocesan Youth Team at Castlerigg Manor and Open Retreats for anyone and everyone at Christmas and Easter at Castlerigg, the Youth Service also runs different different pilgrimages (to Lourdes, for example), monthly Summit meetings on the first Sunday of each month and has a diocesan youth football teams. Please continue to check our events calendar on the website as we also advertise other regional, national and international events for young adults. There is provision for students at Lancaster University and at UCLAN in Preston (Sunday Mass at 6pm followed by meeting/social at St Maria Goretti’s parish, Gamull Lane, Preston – contact Fr Pawel on smgpreston@gmail.com or phone 01772 700231). The sisters at Hyning Hall organise Monastic Experiences for young people and there are also specific vocations events where you can explore what the Lord may be calling you to in life. In addition, there are a few groups specifically for young adults:
The Ladyewell Group. Meets every Sunday from 7-9pm at the shrine to Our Lady of Fernyhalgh at Ladyewell, Fernyhalgh Lane, Preston for prayer, time together and catechesis. Contact Canon Luiz Ruscillo on ljr@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk
Scripture Sharing Group for 20+ at St Thomas More centre, St Thomas More Walk, off Willows Lane, Lancaster LA1 5PT. Meets every first Friday of the month, 7.30-9pm. Contact Sr Zela on 01524 32616 or email zela@btinternet.com
Fellowship Group for Catholics in their 20s and 30s every second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at The Old Convent, St Cuthbert’s, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9HU. Contact Gillian on broomhandles@hotmail.com or 07805934448
Prayer Group at Our Lady and St James’s, Millom meets the first Monday of every month at the primary school opposite the church. For further details contact Bridget on bpenellum@yahoo.co.uk