Scottish Catholic Observer

The youth event, which was intended to carry on the momentum from the 2013 Rio World Youth Day, saw Catholics as young as 8 attend St John the Baptist Church for music, games and a Mass.

The day kicked off with a celebration of Faith and was followed by speeches from the assembled guests. Young Catholics took part in a cross-lead procession to the Church where a special Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Cushley (above right), in the presence of his brother bishops. The archbishop spoke about Pope Emeritus Benedict and Pope Francis, comparing and contrasting the two Pontiffs. He told young retreatants about God’s love for them, before taking questions from the congregation.

Amongst those in attendance were Bishops John Keenan of Paisley, Stephen Robson of Dunkeld (home to St John’s the Baptist parish) and Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, plus priests from every diocese in Scotland.

Canadian and US youth organisers were also present , and played music for the retreatants at the event, which attracted more than 150 young people who were blessed with some unusually good weather.

Fr Tom Shields, parish priest at St John’s the Baptist’s, believes the day helped give a sense of unity to young Catholics.

“Many of our young people have friends who are not Catholic or not practising Catholics and it lets them see that there are plenty of young folk around who are practising their Faith,” he said. “It gives them a sense of solidarity. It gives them a feeling that they’re not on their own and a feeling of celebration.”

Fr Shields added that there was great atmosphere at the gathering and praised the role of the bishops in the day’s success.

“The bishops themselves had a direct contact with lots of young people. They were good and they went around and talked to the kids and they didn’t hold back. Bishop Keenan and Bishop Gilbert even travelled over with their young folk.”

Fr Stephen McGrattan, parish priest at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Cumnock, said Archbishop Cushley’s light-hearted but insightful stories will remain with the audience as they painted a vivid picture of life inside the Vatican.

Christine Riddoch, youth director for Paisley Diocese, said it is ‘good for our young people to gather nationally because they get a sense of the national Church,’ while giving them the opportunity to interact with the bishops and priests present.

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Pic: Robert Wilson

—This story ran in full in the April 18 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.