Kenelm Youth Trust

All the News from the Kenelm Youth Trust

September Newsletter - Kenelm Youth Trust

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Welcome to our September Newsletter at the start of this new academic year. Our summer has been an exciting season with a sold out Summer Camp at Alton Castle where so many young people were strengthened in their journey of faith encountering the real presence of Jesus in their lives. Our young adults came together from across the Diocese to celebrate 'Adorare' and share a meal together at Olton Friary. We have a brand new team who have given a year of their lives to serve young people on retreat at Alton Castle and Soli. This weekend has been such a blessed gift from God with two new saints! What a time of great joy for our church.
We have produced a brand new calendar for this academic year so you have all the important dates for your diary. Download it HERE

JUBILEE WALK
Jubilee Walk - 13th September - 0800

In celebration of this young saint and for this great year of Jubilee we will be taking part in a 14 mile pilgrimage walk from St Chad’s Cathedral to the Shrine of Saint Carlo Acutis at St Michaels Church, Penn.

With moments of prayer, reflection and conversation, join us for our pilgrimage walk as we journey together as Pilgrims of Hope.

Whether you are a youth group, family, young adult or member of clergy you can sign up to be a part of this day.

Once we reach St Michael’s Church we will be joining together for the celebration of Mass at 5.30pm with Bishop Timothy so, even if you are not able to join for the walk you are more than welcome to join for Mass to celebrate this Jubilee year together.

If 14 miles is a little too far, you are able to join us at our half way point in Tipton at midday

All walkers must register for the Jubilee Walk on 13th September
HERE

AWARDS CEREMONY
Tuesday 9th September - 6pm - 7.30pm

Please pray for all our young people who received Faith in Action or Pope John Paul II awards on Tuesday evening. Bishop Tim awarded 26 medals to young people from Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Banbury and Walsall. Eight gold awards were also awarded in Rome to last years team from Alton Castle and Soli. A huge congratulations to our young people as together they have completed over 1000 hours of service to their parish communities. That service has included serving, reading, taking communion to the sick, fundraising, social action projects, reading with children, helping with children's liturgy and youth groups, working with assisted pilgrims in Lourdes to name but a few areas of service. To register your parish or school group to begin the awards click on the image above.

MISSION MALAWI
July 16/17 - 30/31 2026
Will you be over 18 by July 26? Would you like to take part in a Mission trip to Africa?
Can you step out of your comfort zone for the adventure of a life time?
Mission Malawi - An opportunity to experience a new culture, serve those living in extreme poverty and to broaden your experience of faith and mission. A chance to better understand the impact of climate change and learn first hand about sustainable farming. Teach the most incredible learners in schools and support the health and feeding projects ran by the Trust. Watch the video by clicking the image above!
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati & Saint Carlo Acutis
In response to this joyful time for the church and to help our young people learn more and be inspired by these two new Saints, we produced FREE resources for your parish or school. There are youth group resources for a Holy Hour and an Emmaus Walk as well as a youth night. There are sessions more tailored for the classroom setting so have a browse using the link below.
https://www.kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/canonisation-resources.html

FEARLESS 7- 9 Nov
Our Annual Fearless Retreat is back!
Fearless is the opportunity for youth groups from across the diocese to come together for a weekend of fun, adventure, faith and friendship.
With a range of outdoor activities as well as moments of prayer and lets not forget the fireworks, this retreat is not one to miss.

Find Out More HERE
Sign up your youth group HERE

LIMITLESS 7-9 Nov
Do you want to be more involved in leading within your church community?
Are you called to ministry?
Limitless is the perfect retreat for you.

Limitless will give you the opportunity to work with a team of other young people of faith, to learn and share whilst being part of a community.
You will have the opportunity to put your leadership skills to the test through games and activities whilst leading other younger people in challenges.

Find out more HERE
Sign Up HERE

MISSION TEAM!
Are you 18-25 and interested in being involved in youth ministry?
We have the perfect opportunity for you.

Are you being called to a year on our Mission Team?

Embark on a year with our mission team and immerse yourself in dynamic, hands-on experiences across various areas of youth ministry. As a team member you’ll take the lead in delivering outdoor activities and creating meaningful moments of prayer and reflection during retreats. You will also embark on a year of personal and spiritual growth. Living in a community of like-minded individuals, you’ll be supported and and encouraged in your faith journey every step of the way.

Not only will you grow in confidence and leadership you will also gain recognised qualifications.

If this is something that you would like to say yes to or know more about get in contact with our Retreat Centre Director today via email
retreatcentredirector@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk

THEOLOGY ON TAP

Calling all young adults 18-29!
You are invited to join the conversation as we dive into topics chosen by you.
Exploring our faith further and hearing the voices of other young adults in the church.

Topic: Called to be Stewards of the Earth
Date: 19th September
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Venue: The Blue Piano, Birmingham, B15 3AA

Register to attend HERE

WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY

The Solemnity of Christ the King also marks World Youth Sunday. An opportunity to recognise the important role that young people play within our parish communities, and in the work of the Kenelm Youth Trust.
If you are a young person or volunteer in parish youth ministry please consider sharing a little about the work of KYT as well as something of your own faith journey or importance of young people in your parish on this day. Let us know via the link below.

Let us know HERE

Gathered Network Meeting

This Autumn we are beginning Gathered Network meetings.

The Gathered network is an opportunity for parish leaders to come together to share experience and knowledge as well as ask questions and find support in their ministry.

These meetings will be an opportunity for each parish in the deanery to send a representative to share and discuss youth provision within parishes.

You are welcome to join us for this meeting whether or not there is current youth provision in the parish.

Keep an eye on our Social Media and Newsletter for dates, time and location of your deaneries Gathered meeting.

Find out more HERE

How to Be. - Oct 18th

‘Is there more to Life than this?’ The Quiet Revival is showing that Young Adults are curious about life and the faith and what it means ‘to Be’ a person. Young Adults are turning to the Church for the truth but ‘How’ do you start this journey of prayer and following Jesus? What’s out there to help us engage with our faith communities and make steps to answer the question, ‘How to Be. Catholic?

We host our first How to Be. in Oxford at Grandpont House 18th October at 2pm - 5pm. We gather together to learn about the first steps we can make in the journey of faith. This event includes time to build community, a key note speaker, time to reflect, pray and learn together, A chance to discuss and walk through the city to Blackfriars for mass with social time to follow. All are welcome. Email Paddie for more info. Please register through the form below.

https://www.tfaforms.com/5194312

Would you like to begin youth ministry in your parish? Would you like to offer a space for young people to connect, belong and grow in faith?
'Bethsaida' enables volunteers to gain the tools and knowledge to begin parish youth ministry. It is an opportunity to meet other volunteers, to grow together and to put dreams and hopes for your parish into action. Bethsaida begins on Wednesday, 25th September on Zoom. It runs for 5 sessions.
7 pm - 9 pm

Register for Bethsaida HERE For more information contact Maria

Out of the Depths

Join us for a unique opportunity to dive into mental health and faith through the power of creativity at Soli Centre for Youth Ministry.

With the usual mix of team led prayer, the celebration of the sacraments and enjoying the nature that surrounds Soli, this special retreat will also give us space to reflect through art and creativity. Led by our resident artist Therese, this is a beautiful retreat to dive into creating inspiring artwork.

Date: 22^nd September - 24^th September

Contact Beccy today via email and check out our website via this L INK to find out more.
beccy.roseman@kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk

KEY DATES FOR 2026
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 25 - 30 MAY
SUMMER CAMP 16 - 20 AUGUST
MISSION MALAWI 16 - 30 JULY +/- A DAY

Wider Young Adult Resources

Across the Archdiocese’s Young Adult groups have been popping up, alongside events such as ToT & How to Be. There soon be new group starting in Cannock, and we are wanting to help support any groups that would like to form.

Alpha
It's also clear how keen people are for formation, so we have some recommendations. Alpha continues to be a great initial proclamation and learning of the faith, maybe your friendship group could journey thought it together or you could offer to run a Youth Alpha in your parish, school or even workplace.

https://alpha.org.uk/run-alpha

Sycamore w/ Youth 2000
Over the coming months our friends at Youth 2000 are running an online ‘Sycamore’ course which is a series made to explore the beauty of the Catholic Faith, made by Fr Stephen Wang (current rector of the English College, Rome).

https://www.youth2000.org/events/sycamore-online

OHP Academy
Finally for worship leaders and musicians One Hope Project (who you may recognise from Flame and We Believe) are running their annual Worship Academy, some of our staff have gone through it and highly rated it, we couldn’t recommend it more.

https://www.onehopeproject.co.uk/ohpacademy

Alton is opening its gates for the annual garden party together with the parish of St John the Baptist.

Come along for a day of music, activities, stalls, cake and fun for the whole family

The Alton Castle and St Johns Garden Party
12.30-4.00pm Saturday 20^th September 2025

Visit the castle and grounds for a Garden Party tradition that has been running for over 100 years!
Live music from Cheadle community Band
Adventurous Activities
Afternoon Teas, home made cakes and BBQ
Aerial views from the roof- book separate tickets
Craft stalls, Tombola, raffles, games, childrens fun activities
Heart of Oak Morris Dancers
Gym display

Ends at 4pm with the onsite duck race!

To pre-book castle roof tour tickets click the link HERE

Alton Gala
25^th October 7pm

By popular demand, we are delighted to be holding our annual celebration Gala event back at Alton Castle to celebrate all that takes place for young people here and to raise some funds for improvements to the Castle grounds including a new disabled access into the Castle. The spectacular venue of the Castle will be the backdrop of a night of fabulous food available, live music from the Squares, a bar, games and amazing auction. Dance the night away and book a bed to stay over if you wish!

For Friends of Kenelm and beyond, the Gala attracts a diverse audience from across the country and is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate youth ministry, particularly of everything that the Trust achieves year after year. The evening will also include individual awards that will specifically recognise exemplary commitment and dedication.

Every year, through the work of the youth service, thousands of young people receive life-changing experiences and opportunities that guide them to respond generously to Jesus’ call in their lives. It is imperative that Kenelm continues this vital work, accompanying young people towards finding their place in the community of the Church. That is why all funds raise from the event will form a necessary income stream for the trusts work. Tickets for the evening are priced at £10 each, children £5 with a discounted rate of £90 when booking a table of 10. Tickets can be reserved on the website using the link below. Do please encourage your family and friends to come along- they would be very welcome!

If you aren’t able to attend but would still be interested in making a contribution, there is also the option to sponsor the team this year. The Kenelm mission team are a voluntary group of young adults that make everything that the Trust achieves possible. Through their persistent hard work, dedication and selflessness, they are the epitome of charity, living and breathing the Christian faith. Due to the voluntary nature of their work, if you would like to contribute towards our mission team as opposed to attending, or sponsor a part of the evening we would be delighted to receive your donation

Book you tickets HERE

Contact Details: