Tess Martin describes how the National Youth Parliament – Dáil na nÓg – came into being, what its objectives are and how it works.
David Gaffney SJ sees cultural changes to have made young people vulnerable and fragile, sometimes leading them down a self-destructive path.
Fr Michael Paul Gallagher SJ explains that the new culture we are living in today is not necessarily acting against the Christian faith, but it calls the youth of today to make decisions about their life and spirituality.
Fr Peter Sexton writes about Taizé, that in itself is a ‘parable of community’ and brings reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples. He explains how it brought healing to one of his students.
Celestine Cullen OSB, a former headmaster of Glenstal Abbey school, is optimistic about the young people and has simple advice for their frustrated parents.
This month the Pope asks us to pray ‘that the World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, may inspire young people and make them the seed of hope for a new humanity’. Fr Leon Ó Giolláin SJ explains who are the young people who will be at Sydney and are the [...]
Bruno Ferrero and Marianna Pacucci have different but complementary views on the matter of protecting teenagers’ faith.
“What’s community?” asked Pat Coyle’s teenage son when she thought she had produced the clinching argument about why he should go to Mass. It was the beginning of her journey of letting him follow his own path.
Carmel Wynne stresses the need for parents to develop good communication habits with their children so that they are able to maintain a helpful relationship with them during the turbulent teenage years.
Noelle Fitzpatrick describes her first-hand experience of St Ignatius-inspired weekend immersion programme for young adults, run by Slí Eile.
Paddy O’Meara notes that the self-confidence and brash exteriors of teenagers often hide deep feelings of uncertainty, confusion and fear.
This is a delightful book for children, based on the well-known Christmas carol. It is written by Kathleen Darragh and and illustrated by Jeanette Dunne. Here children can discover for themselves in pictures and by reading the people, the images, the symbols and the variety that is the Christmas story. [...]
Carmel Wynne warns that the problem of teenage drinking is exacerbated by the bad example of adults and by peer pressure, and she insists that this matter should be taken very seriously.
The Cat Did Not Know tells the story of Christ through the eyes of a small cat that follows Jesus from his birth through the key events of his life, ending with his cruxifixion and resurrection.
Carmel Wynne urges parents to take direct action to protect their children from television programmes with inappropriate sexual content.
In this little book for children edited by Inos Biffi and illustrated by Franco Vignazia the stories of Mary’s life are told in pictures. They are like the stained glass windows in a Church that hold our gaze, requiring us to stop and contemplate each one.
Teenager Debbie Thornton wonders if teens today are too self-involved and busy to be really interested in justice issues. In another part of this feature from Face Up magazine, Sue Leonard interviews some Belvedere students about their sleep-out to raise money for the homeless.
Tess Martin interviews Seán Ascough, a civil engineer with a private practice, on how he sees the Youth 2000 movement which draws many young people to a change of life and a commitment to their Catholic faith.
Tess Martin looks at the SLÍ EILE movement which is aimed at attracting young people who maybe don’t go to Mass any more and to try and make the faith more relevant to their lives.
In this article from 1997, Sr Teresa McCormack identifies defects in the Irish school-leaving public exams and argues that the system is in serious need of reform.
What’s it like to be in prison? What’s it like coming out? Paul Carter-Bowman spent over 1,000 days in Feltham and Reading Young Offenders Institutes and Portland Prison, England. He is now studying Law at the University of Westminster.
The Catholic educator – the one outside – must recognise the divine capacity of students to be active learners and deliberately craft the teaching/learning dynamic to engage their souls, Thomas Groome explains.
Fr Peter McVerry SJ makes the case for the kind of amendment to the Constitution that would adequately protect the best interests of the child.
Not all of us makes the best of the hand of cards that fate has dealt us, but Paul Andrews met someone who definitely did – “one of the most remarkable people I have met”.
Tess Martin highlights the work being done by Catholic Youth Care (CYC) for young people. It is an organisation promoted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
Reflections on the importance of spending quality time with children and on the risks that young people face today, by Patrick Joyce.
An Gaisce – the Irish President’s National Challenge Award – aims to support the development of young people, social fabric and the growth of active citizenship. Tess Martin writes about the ideas behind the scheme and some of the people working their way towards achieving the award.
The life of a teen is filled with challenges. 18-year-old Debbie Thornton looks at those she thinks top the list. What are the main issues facing teenagers today? That question was put to me a while ago, and I’m struggling to come to any definite conclusions. If an adult was [...]
A Youth Information Centre run entirely by young people themselves is located in the village of Castleblakeny. Co Galway. Tess Martin looks at stories of young people and faith which often don’t make the headlines.
