Amplify - Where I see my faith misunderstood
Reflection written by Dylan, Agents of Change young leader
When thinking about where my faith is misunderstood, I realised that many people see the Catholic faith as restrictive, outdated or even irrelevant. I’ve come across many people who sadly hold these views and I’m sure that at some point all of you have too. I know that these negative labels do not represent my Catholic faith but they do pose an important question – why do people misunderstand our faith in the first place? The more that I’ve thought about that question, the more I’ve realised that the answer is found in the very cornerstone of our faith – Jesus Christ. To many people today, God is seen as someone distant or impersonal, disconnected from human suffering or perhaps not even real. But one of the things that has transformed my understanding of God is the idea that God became man. I’ve come to realise that our faith doesn’t ask us to search for God through our own efforts. Instead, we can rejoice that God has revealed Himself to us in Christ. The Lord who created the universe chose to walk among His creation. He chose to experience human joy and suffering. He then gave up His own life on the cross and rose from the dead to bring us back to Himself. Despite this, Jesus was still deeply misunderstood and even hated by some. When I reflect on that, it does start to make sense. Since our faith is centred on Christ, it makes sense that His Church will also be misunderstood by some. So when we ask why our faith is misunderstood, I think we should start by asking the question – why was Jesus misunderstood? As I read the Gospels, it became clear to me that Jesus wasn’t misunderstood because He failed to reveal God’s love. In fact, the complete opposite is true. He was misunderstood because He wasn’t the saviour that people expected Him to be. Many people were expecting someone who would overthrow the Romans using force and establish an earthly kingdom. But Jesus came with a different message. He teaches us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us and to seek the Kingdom of God. From an outside perspective, this might seem weak or even foolish. When I started thinking about this, something the Lord said to St Paul really stuck with me. The Lord said ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’. The more I reflected on those words, the more I realised that they describe God’s whole plan of salvation. Jesus didn’t choose to pursue earthly power. Instead, he revealed the power of God through what the world saw as weakness. At the time, even Jesus’ own followers didn’t understand this. When Jesus foretold of His death and resurrection, St Peter hoped it would never happen. Jesus then said to him, ‘Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things’. When I first read this, I was shocked. St Peter lived with Jesus, saw His miracles and even believed He was the Son of God and yet still struggled to accept God’s plan for salvation. If even St Peter struggled with trusting God, then it makes me wonder how many times I’ve stopped God’s love from being fully lived out in my life. Now, I believe that one of the main reasons why the Catholic Church is so misunderstood is because it continues to spread the same good news Jesus brought – a message that still challenges our idea of truth, love and the purpose of our lives. I think that people see our faith as restrictive because it doesn’t define freedom as doing whatever we want. Rather, it teaches us that true freedom is found in choosing to do good, even when it is difficult and becoming the holy people God created us to be. I’ve had so many conversations with friends that seem to think that being Catholic simply means following a list of rules and then receiving God’s love as a reward. As a Catholic, I know that this is far from the truth. Our faith is built on God’s unconditional love for each and every one of us. It teaches us to follow Him so we can have the true freedom that only He can offer. I believe that our duty as Catholics is to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ as St Peter wrote. I think that this can be done by responding to God’s love and entering into a deeper relationship with Him. Through prayer, education in the Catholic faith and the service of others, I believe that we can continue to fulfill our mission of bringing the message of God’s love to the world. I’ve ultimately come to realise that since our faith is centred on Christ, we shouldn’t be surprised when it is misunderstood just as He was. But rather than discouraging me, I see that as an opportunity to know Him more deeply and to reflect His love more faithfully throughout my daily life. That’s why I truly believe that the greatest way we can help others to understand our faith is not just through the words we speak, but by letting our light shine before others through the way we live our lives.
Amplify - Parish Life as a Young Person: The Joys and Challenges
Reflection written by Sotaar, Agents of Change young leader
I would like to reflect on what parish life means to me as a young person: the joys that bring us together, the challenges that test our faith, and the role we can play in shaping the future of the parish.
I think parish life is about much more than simply attending Mass on a Sunday. It is about belonging. It is about finding a place where we can come as we are, where we are welcomed, supported and reminded that we are never truly alone. A church is not just a building made of bricks and stone; it is a community built on faith, love, kindness and the people who bring it to life.
One of the greatest joys of parish life is the sense of family it can create. We come together from different backgrounds, with different stories and experiences, yet we are united by something greater than ourselves: our faith in God. Through prayer, worship, celebrations and acts of service, we build relationships that remind us of the importance of standing together and looking after one another.
As young people, parish life gives us the opportunity to grow, not only in our faith, but also in who we are as individuals. It teaches us patience, compassion, humility and the value of giving without always expecting something in return. Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness ,a smile, a helping hand, or simply asking someone how they are can make the biggest difference.
However, the journey of faith is not always easy.
As young people, we are growing up in a world full of expectations, distractions and pressures. We are trying to balance school, college, work, friendships and our own personal struggles. Sometimes, in the middle of all this, finding time for God and church can become difficult. There may be moments when our faith feels distant, when we question ourselves, or when we struggle to find our place within the Church.
Another challenge is making sure that young people feel genuinely welcomed, heard and valued. Sometimes, we may wonder whether our voices matter or whether there is a meaningful place for us in parish life. But I believe that young people have so much to offer. We bring fresh ideas, energy, different perspectives and a willingness to learn. We should not feel that we have to wait until we are older to make a difference. Our faith matters now, our voices matter now, and our presence matters now.
in the Bible,1 Timothy 4:12, says: “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
To me, this reminds us that being young is not a weakness or a reason to stand on the sidelines. It is an opportunity. We can lead through our actions, inspire through our kindness and show our faith through the way we treat others. We do not need to have all the answers, nor do we need to be perfect. We simply need to be willing to grow, to serve and to allow God to work through us.
I believe that the church should be a place where young people are not only welcomed into the community, but encouraged to help shape it. A place where our questions are met with understanding, our ideas are listened to, and our faith is nurtured. We need opportunities to participate, to serve, to build friendships and to discover that the Church is not something we simply inherit from previous generations ,it is something we are called to live and build together.
And perhaps that is the beauty of parish life: we are all still growing. None of us has a perfect faith, and none of us walks the journey without challenges. But when we come together, we can strengthen one another. When one person feels weak, another can offer encouragement. When someone feels lost, the community can help them find their way again. We become reminders of God’s love in one another’s lives.
Ultimately, I believe that the future of the Church is not just about how many people sit in the pews, but about how many hearts feel connected, how many lives are touched by kindness, and how many young people discover that they have a place within God’s family.
As young people, we may not always know exactly where our journey will lead us. But we can choose to walk that journey with faith, with courage and with open hearts. We can help create a community where no one feels forgotten, where everyone has something to contribute, and where the love of God can be seen not only in our prayers, but in our everyday actions.
So, although parish life has its joys and challenges, I believe it is something worth investing in. Because a parish is at its strongest when generations walk together — when the wisdom of those who came before us meets the hope and energy of those coming after them.
Let us remember that we are not simply the future of the Church. We are part of its present, too. And each of us, no matter our age, has a role to play in keeping the light of faith alive.
Million Minutes Team Away Day 2026
Reflection written by George White, Chair of Trustees of Million Minutes
On Saturday 26th September, trustees and staff met for our team away day. We were privileged to be hosted by our new head office at St Mary’s Presbytery, Leyland; affectionally known as our ‘Number 10 North’. We were shown round the impressive site by Fr Joseph Bibby before we were led in our reflection by Phil Callaghan. Phil facilitated us through a review of our strategy which we formed in 2023. He taught us about ‘theory of change’ and led us honourably in deciphering where we had got to with our current strategy and where we might move in the future. There was much food for thought about how we might choose to move forward in our vital work. A fantastic day which was improved by two new potential trustees joining us online and sharing their reflections on the big questions as we explore the future. As we continue to look forward, we give thanks for all that has gone before us. This month, we say goodbye to our safeguarding trustee, Fr Ryan Service, who has been a vital part of our trustee board for the last 5 years. We give thanks for all he has done and been during his time with us and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
National Justice and Peace Network - Peace Grows Around Tables
Reflection written by Bernie Goddard, Engagement Officer of Million Minutes
At the beginning of summer I made my way to the annual National Justice and Peace Network Conference for the weekend. The theme of the conference was “Just talk” and Brian O’Toole opened the Friday evening speaking on the importance of dialogue, deep listening with intent and how every voice deserves to be heard. We were also reminded of how peace grows around tables and not walls which is important to our work and ensuring the voices of young people have a seat at the table. Brian reminded us that those not at the table are often on the menu. What a great way the set up the weekend ahead.
Saturday started with Billy Vaughan from Quakers in Britain who spoke about dialogue, freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. He spoke about democracy and the right to protest peacefully as a demonstration of dialogue. To peacefully protest is an act of visible concern and shouldn’t be treated as dangerous or suspicious make their concerns visible. Billy also reminded us about the importance of keeping the capital letter in “Just talk” which can allow “Just action”.
This then led into a panel discussion led by Sir John Battle on the subject of “Listening in local practice: Encountering others”. The panel considered how communities can overcome division by creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds and beliefs to meet. Bringing together people from communities to learn together and understand other views and experiences, to normalise encounters outside the circles they are used to hearing. Drawing on what unites and no what divides, allowing a better understanding of not always needing to agree on the same things and helping to eradicate fear but create opportunities for joint action.
The afternoon was an opportunity to attend workshops on various subjects to learn and explore social justice. I started off by attending a workshop lead by Brian O’Toole on information, misinformation and disinformation, looking at what we see and hear and how we can discern justly what is truth, mistake or intentionally misleading. Looking at the importance of knowing the difference in our world today.
Sunday morning, we heard from Fay from PeaceJam UK and Michael from Citizens UK. PeaceJam UK brings together Nobel Peace Prize winners and young people through mentoring to change the world. Fay spoke about the importance of young people having a chair at every table.
Michael shared about the importance of reaching out to people who we often don’t agree with or align with in our views. It’s important to meet the person and build a relationship before meeting the issue. To bring people to the table and not build walls.
The whole weekend was fantastic and one of the key things which has stuck with me is from Sir John Battle “We give the gift of our listening as service” which is a reminder of the importance of listening and the work of Million Minutes in listening to the voices of young people.
In Our Own Words: Agents of Change Invite the Church to Listen
Reflection written by Kate Wilkinson, CEO of Million Minutes
On Wednesday 15th July, the Million Minutes Agents of Change gathered online for In our Own Words, an event designed and led by young people to share their experiences of faith and invite the Church into a deeper conversation about what it means to listen to young people.
Agents of Change is Million Minutes’ youth leadership programme for young people aged 15-18, equipping them to become leaders for peace and justice through formation, mentoring, Catholic Social Teaching and opportunities for advocacy. The online event was the culmination of their journey together.
The event began with an observation shared by the young people themselves: the faith they experience is not always the faith that the world sees.
In a time when Christianity can sometimes be associated with division or exclusion the Agents of Change wanted to offer a different perspective. Their faith, they explained, is rooted in love, service, justice, solidarity and hope.
Rather than adults speaking about young Christians, this was an opportunity for young Christians to speak for themselves. Patrick, Dylan and Emily shared personal reflections on what being a Christian means to them, where they see their faith misunderstood, and how their faith inspired them to love, serve and act.
Their stories were followed by small group conversations, where young leaders and adult participants explore what they had heard.
Participants were asked:
What surprised or challenged you?
Where do you see disconnects between Church perspectives and lived faith?
What does the Church need to gear more clearly from young people?
The conversations were then brough back together by the young leaders, who reflected on the themes emerging across the different groups.
The response from the attendees was incredibly positive. One participant commented on “the depth of knowledge of the faith” demonstrated by the young leaders and their ability to articulate it, while another highlighted their “commitment to their faith and how they were able to clearly articulate what their faith means to them.” Several people spoke about the hope they took away from the event.
At Million Minutes, we believe listening to young people is about more than giving them a microphone. It means creating spaces where their experiences can genuinely shape the conversation. The event gave adults the opportunity to hear directly from young people about their lived experience of faith, while also creating space for dialogue and reflection.
The young leaders had already tested a shorter version of their workshop at the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s Social Action conference earlier in July. Archbishop John Sherrington, who attended their workshop, reflected that the Church needs to create more spaces for young people to be heard and to engage in conversations with adults. He also highlighted that there is much the Church can learn not only from young people’s voices, but from the way they facilitate conversations. The online event built on that experience, bringing together young leaders and adults from across the Church and Catholic social action networks.
The online event concluded by asking participants to identify one concrete action they could take as a result of what they had heard whether it meant listening differently, creating more opportunities for young participation to changing something within their own community.
The response to the Agents of Change programme had left the young people keen to remain involved. Many of the current cohort want to continue contributing to Million Minutes’ work and to help shape the programme for future participants. This is perhaps one of the most exciting outcomes of the project.
Our hope was that the Agents of Change programme wouldn’t simply be a one-off leadership programme but a programme that would help to build a network of young Catholic leaders who are confident in their faith, passionate about justice and equipped to use their voices to make a difference.
As Million Minutes looks towards the next cohort, we want to continue creating opportunities for young people to lead, to question, to challenge, to dream and to act.
Because young people are not simply the future of the Church, they are the Church NOW!
Dilexi Te Young Adults Reading Group
Reflection written by Chris Knowles, Programme Manager, Bon Secours Young Adults GB
Over six weeks a group of young adults came together to explore Dilexi Te, Pope Leo’s first teaching document which focused on our love for the poor. The opportunity to explore the document together and share our own reflections on the text, enabled by Bon Secours Young Adult Ministry and Million Minutes, helped us engage with the document at a much deeper level.
Dilexi Te, an Apostolic Exhortation published by Pope Leo in October 2025 but started by Pope Francis before his death, focuses on how central the poor are to the Church, both its mission and its identity. “I often wonder”, Pope Leo laments, “even though the teaching of Sacred Scripture is so clear about the poor, why many people continue to think that they can safely disregard the poor.” This document challenges both the wider Church to take Christ’s call to serve the poor seriously, but also each and every individual, that each, according to their own ability need to take this commitment seriously and not leave it to others.
Twenty people came, whenever they were able, each Thursday night for 75 minutes over a six week period having engaged with the chapter being explored that week. As rich and deep as the conversations were, there was plenty of opportunity to keep things light and build relationships with others who also cared about the Church’s mission in this area.
Joe Wells, Co-Founder of One Hope Project, a project of young adults encouraging creativity in music and other areas of ministry said “Joining the Dilexi Te reading group was a real blessing. As I read through the book, I found myself both inspired and challenged. Having the opportunity to unpack the content together online and hear the insights of others helped me to reflect even more deeply on Pope Leo’s writing. I’m involved in music ministry in the Church and undertake projects that help people to lead music and engage with it as a way of praying and encountering God. Following this reading group, I feel inspired to think more deeply about how our work can be a blessing to those on the margins and a place of encounter with the poor.”
The relationships built through the course of the six weeks have led the group to want to meet again, to both take on Magnifica Humanitas with a wider group of young adults, and come together in person to deepen relationships and explore how we God is calling us to bring to life the calls Pope Leo is giving us.
If there are those in their 20’s and 30’s interested in going deeper into where Pope Leo is calling the Church, reach out, stay in touch and keep eye out for upcoming opportunities!
CSAN Leadership Conference - Rome
Reflection written by Kate Wilkinson, CEO of Million Minutes
In the final week of May, I had the privilege of joining colleagues from across the Catholic social action network in Rome for the CSAN Leadership Conference. Bringing together leaders from charities, diocesan Caritas agencies and Catholic organisations from across England and Wales, it was a chance to step away from the day-to-day of our work and discern together about how we, as a collective, can build more compassionate communities.
For me, one of the greatest strengths of Million Minutes has always been our willingness to work collaboratively. Spending time with others who share a commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, justice and human dignity was both encouraging and energising. And in many of our discussions and times of discernment it was great to be able to bring in the voices and experiences of young people.
The conference invited us into four working groups: one on young people, one on the dignity of work, flourishing communities and the challenges facing our organisations.
Unsurprisingly, I found myself in the conversations around young people. We discussed the importance of l listening to young people but also and importantly moving beyond listening towards genuinely sharing power and responsibility with them. It reinforces something we strive to do every day at Million Minutes, to ensure young people are not just beneficiaries of our work but active partners in shaping it. This workstream greatly affirmed the work that we do and I was delighted to be able to share our work to help develop youth engagement across the network.
Alongside the workshops, we heard from inspiring speakers from across the global Caritas family and the wider Church. Each talk left me inspired with new ideas and dreams for the future of Million Minutes and many reinforced the need for our work and the way in which we work. It was great to hear, for example, from Rebecca Rathbone who is responsible for youth at Caritas International. To hear that internationally they are championing youth participation at trustee board level and beyond was great to hear and their call encouragement to each organisation to include young people and their experience was really encouraging.
A highlight was also attending the Papal audience and being able to visit the dicastery for integral human development as well as Caritas International. To hear from Pope Leo, and to meet with leaders in the dicastery and caritas international was a wonderful reminder of our connection with an international community who are also committed to the work we do.
I headed home after a truly wonderful conference feeling extremely grateful to be part of such a vibrant network of people committed to the common good. The conversations has during the week have already sparked new ideas and partnerships that I hope will benefit Million Minutes and, most importantly, the young people we exist to serve.
A huge thank you to the CSAN team for all their work in organising such an important and life-giving conference. I would also like to thank my colleagues who attended for their generosity in sharing and commitment to collaboration working for the good of all our communities.
