Thousands to congregate at RDS for Eucharistic Congress

YOUNG people from across Ireland will be gathering on
the Southside this summer for an event that is being described as one of the
most ambitious ministry programmes to be held in this country.

The programme called

‘Go! Be Church!’ will happen in
an area known as the Chiara Luce Youth Space at the International Eucharistic
Congress in the RDS from June 10-16.

Young people from the ages of 17 to 25 will engage in
a diverse range of activities that include workshops, dramas, celebrations,
concerts, social activities, games, and art.

Around 2,500 young people are expected to participate
in the event this year.

The significant role that youth play in the Church in
Ireland was highlighted by the presence of Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of
Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, when he was the principal celebrant of the
Eucharist at Crossroads 2012 in February.

Other bishops concelebrating the Mass at St Ciaran’s
College in Ballygawley included Bishop John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore, and Bishop
Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor.

Bishop McKeown emphasised the important role the youth
programme will play in the upcoming Congress.

“These are
difficult years for everybody in modern Ireland and, in a particular way, for
young people,

? he said.

“We are all paying the price for trying to live in the
fast lane or coarsening our hearts with superficiality.

“The 50th International Eucharistic Congress provides
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of this island to pause and
reflect on the deep human hunger for meaning, love, God, healing and
communion. Adults may well need to see,
hear and listen to young people much more than the youth need the adults.

?

Bishop McKeown added:

“The Congress is a God-given
opportunity to reawaken our idealism through reflecting on the mystery of love,
community and service. It is a divine
invitation to put communion at the heart of who we are as a people.

?

Youth officer Francois-David Freschi said they were
hoping that every parish in Ireland would send at least one young person to
represent them.

“The Church in Ireland needs young people and the
Congress is a fantastic opportunity for young adults to explore and celebrate
their faith,

? he said.

Every diocese in Ireland is invited by to bring groups
of young people to the Congress, either for the entire week or a portion of
it. At the end of the week, young people
will be missioned to go back to their parishes to begin local faith programmes.