The Way Forward Review of 2021-2024
The Way Forward is a collaboration of youth initiatives by our clergy, lay parishioners, teachers and young people. In the first few years of my time in the Diocese of Ferns, I have always been keen to explore, with The Way Forward Committee, ways in which we can enable our young people to form a personal relationship with God.
In recent months, the people and priests of the Diocese have worked together on a Pastoral Plan ‘Our Future Church’, which envisions 12 pastoral areas within our Diocese, each consisting of three to six parishes. Within each pastoral area, people and priests will collaborate closely in mission and ministry.
A thorough review of The Way Forward was conducted in May 2024, which found that much had been achieved in the previous three years in terms of youth pilgrimages, the JPII programme, Religious Education support, school retreat provision and Spirit youth development. Many projects were either completed or are ongoing. Several medium-term projects are also in the initial stages of development.
Given the release of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan ‘Our Future Church’, it was necessary to explore the next phase of The Way Forward in the context of the eight themes of the pastoral plan. While all the themes are relevant, it was found that four of the Diocesan themes had special relevance: ‘Form & Lead’, ‘Pray & Journey’, ‘Love & Serve’ and ‘Empower & Flourish’. Various youth projects were identified under these four themes.
Given the scale of the work of youth ministry, the review also found that (i) recruitment, (ii) training and (iii) team building are critical to the continued success of The Way Forward. Several processes were collaboratively identified to promote recruitment, training and team building in the year(s) ahead.
The Way Forward opens doors for our young people to the possibility of Jesus in their lives. I encourage everyone throughout the Diocese to support this document and the people involved so that more and more of our young people in the Diocese of Ferns can experience the peace, hope and joy that a relationship with God brings. This is the way forward not just for our youth but for each one of us who labours together in God’s vineyard.
+ Ger Nash
The Way Forward 2024-2027 (Click on the link to view the Review)
Some of the members of the Way Forward Committee in the picture to the left.
For more information
Colette O’Doherty
Director of Religious Education
& Youth Ministry
Phone: 087-9474513/053-9145511
Email fernsda@ferns.ie
Website: https://ferns.ie/youth-matters/
December 2020
Introduction by Bishop Denis Brennan
The Way Forward has been a collaboration of many ideas and youth ambitions by our clergy, lay parishioners, teachers, and of course our young people. Although Ireland, and indeed the world, has been in a ‘virtual’ lockdown this year, it was instrumental in providing the space to formulate a plan that would cohesively gather these ideas and long-term ambitions beneath the umbrella of Ferns Youth Ministry.
Within the Diocese of Ferns, we have long been curtailed by our history of abuse which resulted in the ceasing of all youth ministry until perpetrators were brought to justice and a safer environment was established. Fifteen years later, and nearing the end of my own administration, I am delighted to introduce this document as a mechanism by which we can enable our young people to form a personal relationship with God.
In launching The Way Forward, we chose to build a Star. A Star that would be seen from miles away as a message of hope to our young people that God is the way. As we prepare to install this Star on the top of St Peter’s College in Wexford, it struck me as quite significant that we are launching this initiative in December of 2020.
Firstly, it is the season of Advent, a time of waiting. For the Diocese of Ferns, youth ministry has been waiting. Although there have been such wonderful faith opportunities as the annual trip to Lourdes and World Youth Day, these opportunities were only open to a small minority. This Star is a symbol that says to all young people, ‘you do not have to wait any longer.’
The second significant reason is due to the challenging pandemic year of 2020, one which has turned our world upside down. Lighting this Star, I believe, is like lighting a Star of Hope for 2021. Just as the shepherds and Wise Men followed the Star to the birth of Jesus, so too does this light symbolise the Way Forward in opening that door once again for our young people to the possibility of Jesus in their lives.
Quite often we hear that young people do not believe in God, do not want God, do not need God. I say they do not believe or want God because they do not know Him, but they do need Him. With God in their lives, they have hope, they have peace, they have love and they have joy. I encourage all of you in key positions throughout the Diocese to support this document, one that I have no doubt will continue to evolve in ensuring that each of our young people in the Diocese of Ferns are provided with the way forward towards God.
+ Denis Brennan
Bishop of Ferns
For further details please click The Way Forward 3 Year Plan December 2020