"I have always been a believer that an experience out of the normal routine will captivate a young person" Sean McMahon, Diocesan Youth Leader
"It was great to see staff and young people in such a celebratory mood" Bishop Patrick

This Mass was organised so that the young people of the diocese might get to know each other and feel welcomed by the Church. Each of our secondary schools took ownership of some part of the liturgy. Cardinal Allen Fleetwood, the readings. St. Bedes Lytham the Bidding prayers. Pupils from Christ the King, the Offertory gifts. St Bernards Barrow created an audio-visual on the theme of peace & unity, to aid reflection after communion. During this reflection, two young people from each school lit a candle in a display created by St Mary's Blackpool. We even had pupils from Newman School in Carlisle who just days before had been flooded out of their school. The procession of banners was impressive representative of the showing whole diocese. The Mass was made special by the beautiful music created by Youth 2000. The intention now is that this will become an annual event.

Bishop Patrick tested the range of the Radio Microphone to the full as he moved among the young people, chatting rather than preaching. With a spring in his step that showed how he enthusiastic he felt, he spoke of how the spirit can work in different ways. "No one should feel left out".

Enthusiasm is a good word for it too. Rooted in Greek ("en-theos") the word speaks of the "God within". In its own very Catholic way, this event was clearly designed to speak to the young people of the God within them, the God at the heart of their Catholic lives.

The pious cards distributed at the exit and the slogans on some of the sweaters were a little naïve, but at least they challenged all of us to take stock of our values.

Bishop Patrick used the gospel of the "Feeding of the multitude" to remind us that when we work together we can make things happen which would be utterly beyond us, acting alone.