200,000 minutes of silence to speak up for voiceless young people

Parishes, schools, organisations and individuals have joined together throughout Lent 2019 to support to young people, and help raise money to change their lives. Thousands of people taken part in Million Minutes’ ‘siLENT’, creating 195,495 minutes of silence. Their silence has given voice for those young people who are overlooked and silenced in today’s world.

Participants were sponsored for their silence, raising thousands of pounds for youth led social action projects, which help to transform young people’s lives across the country. Just last month siLENT money supported a project for young people from a special needs school in Manchester. The young people are creating an allotment – which is in itself a great thing – but the fruit and vegetables they grow will be shared with local refuges and asylum seekers, who are seeking safety in the area.

Million Minutes' Director Danny Curtin said: "I'm delighted that once again young people and their adult supporters have clocked up hundreds of thousands of minutes of silence! What a testimony to how committed our Catholic community is to young people. Pope Francis, in his letter last month, ‘Christ is Alive’, encouraged the Church to find new ways to reach out to young people and to help them speak up for their peers. siLENT is one way to do that, and we’re overwhelmed by the response.”

Million Minutes also organise the Celebrating Young People Awards, supporting the Catholic community to recognise and honor the young people in its midst.  To nominate them for a Celebrating Young People Award, visit: millionminutes.org/awards. Deadline for nominations is the 24 May 2019.

For more information about Million Minutes’ youth social action grants please visit: millionminutes.org/grants

To discover how Million Minutes can support parishes and schools equip young people to take an active role in social action please contact: kate@millionminutes.org

Let’s speak up with silence

We are surrounded by noise. A constant barrage of demands and expectations to do something, to buy something, to achieve something, to become something different. We are pulled in all sorts of directions, stretched and pressured to respond. For young people it can be overwhelming, struggling to discover their place and to find their voice amidst the noise. In the middle of this confusion and stress, their experience of the world is anything but peaceful.

And I am heartbroken by the continued rise in violent crime, highlighted in recent days by the death of two 17 years olds. They had their whole life ahead of them. This violence, the constant pressure, the noise has to stop. We need to make a change.

Our society desperately needs young people who experience peace. We need young people who realise they are valued, and know that they can have a voice and make a difference. In the midst of the noise and the violence, our young people must be a beacon of hope to their peers. We, older adults, need to stand with them and support them. We can help them be the changemakers.

This season of Lent give us an opportunity to seek peace, by giving up some of the things which fill our lives with distractions. There are many ways to do this in Lent, but I encourage you to consider siLENT from Million Minutes. Young people and adults coming together in solidarity to give up some of the things which fill their world with noise (your phone?) and spending time in silence. By reflecting on ourselves and the world around us, we try and find that inner peace.

This collective silence has its own voice. The silence speaks up for those young people who are overwhelmed by noise and violence. Many people will be sponsored for their silence, raising money for projects that promote peace, and give young people a voice – projects like Safe Haven, from For Jimmy.

I will be staying siLENT in solidarity with all you dear young people and I shall be keeping you all in my prayers.

To see what individuals, parishes, schools and communities are getting up to this siLENT please visit: https://millionminutes.org/silent40.To discover more about creating safe havens visit: http://forjimmy.org/building-safe-havens/

Join siLENT at: https://millionminutes.org/silent

Reflection by our champion Margaret Mizen.

Fasting from chatter and remembering dust

I usually fail my Lent commitments. Surely this year, I’ve chosen one which is a manageable minimum - I only have to stay silent for 24 hours!

However, it turns out not saying anything is easier said than done, especially when in company of loved ones. I tried it for half an hour the other day. There was an almost irresistible desire to fill the terrifying gulf of quiet - fill it with anything, even if it is just hot air.

I think this is because I prop myself up by speaking. To feel like I’m being heard, prompting conversation and ideas - this serves as a sort of crutch. Maybe we all have one of these something which reassures us that we’re still ticking and still valuable.

And yet, on Ash Wednesday, we are told “remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” …

Even though this phrase, accompanied by the mark of ash on the forehead, kicks off the penitent season of fasting, we need not read it as an indication of our worthlessness. Even when we are dust and will return to dust, we are dust made alive by God’s breath (Genesis 2). Even when we don’t offer anything, when we don’t “perform” and when our lives seem like useless fallow earth, we still reflect God.

So, I’m looking forward to being silent for a bit. Being freed from all those trumped-up efforts to justify my existence, just watching them roll by like tumble-weeds might be quite a relief…

The other side to the Million Minutes siLENT project is an important form of witness that there are those with less voice or whose voice is less heeded.

Amidst all the unimportant chatter, every so often there is something very important to be said. But how often are they swept under the carpet? And how often are those who speak them silenced?

Francis Stewart (CAFOD Theology Programme Advisor) will be staying siLENT for 24 hours on March 28th along with other individuals, schools, parishes and communities throughout the Lenten season. Please support them in their endeavours by visiting: http://millionminutes.org/silent40

The WYD Experience…

An event calling those from each corner of the Globe to represent. A communion of millions of Young people. Where Heaven meets Earth. This is World Youth Day!

St John Paul ll started WYD envisioning Young People from across the World gathering to celebrate their Faith. WYD provides this rare opportunity and both Poland in 2016 and Panama in 2019 have powerfully shaped my Faith in unique ways.

Before we travelled to Panama we stayed with families from the parish of Sacred Heart Hatillo, Costa Rica. One day, with young people from the Dominican Republic, we helped the local community serve those without a stable home by making sandwiches for them and shared an afternoon playing music and dancing together. This struck me – I realised we were very literally living out the message of the Gospels: “For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink”. (Matthew 25:35). 

Later in Panama we shared a time of Adoration with the Holy Father on a field of millions of people. You’d expect noisiness but I heard nothing but silence. Utter silence. I witnessed a sea of people - hands grasped in Prayer, eyes fixed on Jesus. It was so deeply moving to see all of these people, my age, sharing what I believe.

Through these encounters World Youth Day has kindled in me what it truly means to live being Christ-like.

Reflection from Chris Burkette a member of the Walsingham House team.

“Learn from our mistakes”, Cardinal Tagle tells young pilgrims

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila offered a challenge to young pilgrims at World Youth Day (22-27 January 2019). Hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims had gathered in Panama, many of whom from the small Central American countries nearby.

“If the world that we elders have left to you is not as just, as loving, as peaceful as you would like, learn from our mistakes. You don’t need to follow our bad examples; learn from our good examples!” he said.

The remarks came after hundreds of young volunteers donned wireless headphones as part of a ‘silent play’ exploring Pope Francis’ vision of the culture of encounter and Caritas’ global Share the Journey campaign. Each was encouraged to meet a new person and explore their lives and losses, joys and hopes – all in complete silence.

The event ended with a Share the Journey walk through the centre of Panama City to greet the Holy Father as he passed pilgrims in the Popemobile. Hundreds of young people shouted, sang and took selfies along the route, to the bemusement of local onlookers.

Pilgrims from more than twenty countries across all regions of the world came together for the afternoon and the closing session was standing room only at the historic Teatro Anits Villalaz as young people squeezed to hear about migration from Irene, a young Nicaraguan refugee and Jorge, a young campesino from Panama.

Migrants are “human bridges between countries”, Cardinal Tagle reflected. “Do not let prejudice based on ignorance, based on information that lacks evidence to create fear in us.”

Instead we should, “meet a migrant – that’s the way to overcome fear – meet a real person, just like you, and then the fear disappears!”

It is understandable that people in host countries should feel fearful, said Irene, but to overcome the fear of the migrant, we must “look to their humanity” and recognise their rights. “We need to speak about migrants and not exclude them or treat them as if their rights are not important”.

“Being part of this gathering, of Caritas, helping the migrant and the environment, we put in our drop of water to form an ocean, little by little we will change the world,” said Jorge.

“We feel pain and joy, and have rights the same as everyone,” said Irene, “people need to acknowledge us migrants – we are differently equal.”

Reflection from Daniel Hale Million Minutes Trustee and Head of Campaigns at CAFOD (Caritas England and Wales).

Nominations Open for Celebrating Young People Awards 2019

Nominations are now open for the fourth Celebrating Young People Awards. The awards –powered by Catholic charity Million Minutes – honour the achievements of young people across the country who make our communities a better place. There are eight award categories, which take their names from Catholic social teaching and recognise the enormous, often unseen, social action of young people.

Parishes, schools and individuals are being invited to nominate young people. If you know an unsung hero or heroine or a group that have worked together to help their community, put them forward for an award now at www.millionminutes.org/awards.  

The award nominees will be invited to attend a special ceremony in London’s West End in July. Cardinal Vincent Nichols will be the guest of honour and present the Pope Francis Award to one lucky young person.

Last year’s Pope Francis recipient was Aaron Omotosho (aged 18) from Loreto College, Manchester. Aaron founded the Help Manchester project which encourages young people locally to support day centres that feed and shelter homeless people each day. He also set up a computing project, Console Code, for underprivileged young people in North Manchester. Aaron has an extraordinary and generous approach to life. For example, he personally helped a refugee with no friends or family in the UK, whom Aaron met him in the library. Acting as a friend, Aaron has given the man invaluable physical and emotional support.

His college chaplain said “Aaron is quite unique as all of this is entirely his own initiative, and he has truly changed people’s lives. Aaron really, genuinely cares about those living in poverty and making their voices heard.” Most people will never know how generous, compassionate and loving Aaron is and has been, but receiving the Pope Francis award shed some light on his fantastic work.

Danny Curtin, CEO of Million Minutes said, “Across the country young people are changing our world in quiet and unassuming ways-week in and week out. It is young people like Aaron who inspire the rest of us to live out social action in our communities. Young people get an increasing amount of stick in the media and wider society, but their energy and commitment is so often inspirational. To our Adult & Young leaders reading, this is your call to action: nominate a young person or group you know for a Celebrating Young Peoples Award today.”

 RECOGNISE. NOMINATE. INSPIRE.

From ‘Hey Arthur!’ to “Hey Andy!’

When thinking about detached youth work I often think of the late 90s children's TV show 'Hey Arthur!’ if you're from a certain generation, you'll know and love it too. 

It had a catchy opening song, which starts… 

‘Everyday when you’re walking down the street

… and the chorus of…

… what a wonderful kind of day.

When we can learn to work and play,

and get along with each other

 It’s the anthem for a detached youth worker! It fits so well with youth work that takes you out and about, seeking to be recognised and recognise others. And in that mutual, shared space, allow trust to build between you all. 

Who’s Andy then?

I was reminded of this song when we were out on an observation session for the first time in a new parish. There was a big park with lots of interesting and different spaces, one of them being a young people’s Adventure Playground! 

Sweeping the front and clearing the yard of this playground was a solitary figure. He didn't seem particularly special, he wasn’t making a song or dance out of anything, but we very quickly found out, that he was actually very special indeed. 

Before long two groups came along.

The first was a group of Year 7 or 8 girls, who shouted pass us... 

'Hey Andy!

You open?'

Clearly ‘Andy’(meaning the playground) was not open.

I think at this point he was a dragging out a sad looking dead Christmas tree…

'Nah, Wednesday...'

was his reply.

The next group was a young family.

Two teenagers and their baby in a pram. They shouted past us too…

'Hey Andy! When you open?!'

'Wednesday!' 

‘Ah great see you then…’ 

I loved it. Let me tell you why.

Greeting people when you’re out and about in London can be very rare. This was the brazen opposite.

Also it wasn’t just a greeting. I think recognised the young people saying something deeper:

Remember us?

We know who you are… (and what you’re offering us)

We’ve got something we share

(even if it’s just that you open the park for us after school)

And they are trying to do it in a ‘cool’ way. All the meaning is subtly there, in the shout that shows there’s already a layer of rapport and understanding, enough that they’re confident enough to shout out the question, over the heads of stranger.

Maybe I’m reading in too much, but I’ve also experienced this in the past.

Where’s the hot chocolate?

OK we always did take a flask of it along, and of course we also made the best in the world,

but it gave us a focal point. The conversations, games and birthday celebrations (!) and prayers (!!) we shared around that flask.

Where’s Kate?

Recognising the memories and experiences shared with absent members of the team, and recognising their absence, being used as a way to invite some fresh experiences.

And these were very commonly the first thing we would hear when we rounded a corner, sometimes we even saw the young people.

What’s the point then?

I think the most important,  and heart-warming bit of this ‘stand-in’ questioning (asking the same odd question again and again) is actually that there are people with whom young people share something with. That they want to engage with these people and what we are being offering. Perhaps the young people, in their own way, are showing these people that they appreciate it, and are stating this publicly, and often in a code that only the people in question understand. I like the recognition and trust that speaks of.

I would love to see more of it in our city.

I’m thankful for spaces for young people, and feel inspired to help make sure there are more.

Hey Andy

I’m thankful for you, you young people

And your the Adventure Playground!

By Tadz Billam (National Coordinator of Courtyard) 

Looking ahead to 2019

It`s crazy to think that a little over 4 months ago I arrived and started this job, it’s been a whirlwind of a few months and I am finally getting settled into my role as Engagement Officer. Its been great to meet and travel across London hosting workshops, talks and stalls and networking with all the amazing people we come across. Since I started at Million Minutes, we have employed our latest colleague Sophie Aulton. It`s been wonderful working alongside side her and Tadz in Romero House, Sophie has been a real asset to the team and I have immensely enjoyed having her as my team mate as we attend various events together.

As we look forward to the new year, I am really excited to get siLENT going. Its been great to see individuals, schools, parishes and organisations interested and engaged with Million Minutes. And to have them signed up already onto our siLENT 40 Calendar for 2019 is amazing!

As January approaches I can’t wait to hit the ground running and get as many people possible involved over the coming Lenten season. To those reading this I look forward to working and meeting with you soon, and I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. And to all our friends thank you for your support over the last coming months.

 If you are at all interested in siLENT please have a look at our webpage and resources. You can sign up today by going online at: www.millionminutes.org/silent/.

Become a featured participant on our siLENT 40 calendar. Get involved: http://millionminutes.org/silent40

By Kate Eastmond

Rediscovering the joy of waiting this Advent

Waiting. Let’s face it, no-one likes it.

Maybe it’s a London thing but waiting even two minutes for a Tube, bus or train gets me huffing and puffing.

And it’s not just me. From instant streaming to next-day delivery, we want things now and society gives them to us almost immediately.

We simply can’t wait. Every second counts.

But waiting is good for us. The meaningful things in life – from raising children to political change – take time. Advent is an opportunity to remember this.

As Christians we need to take the time to pause and be reflective. The season of Advent is all about waiting. We are all waiting in anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ.

So let this Advent season be a time of excitement and anticipation, a time with loved ones and family, a time of hope, a time of peace and quiet contemplation, a time to slow down, a time to just be.

That way, when Jesus does arrive at Christmas, our hearts and minds can know the full impact of his arrival.

By Daniel Hale (Million Minutes Trustee)

For Jimmy-Message of Hope

For Margaret and Barry Mizen, the charity For Jimmy has always been for their son. Jimmy Mizen was tragically killed in an unprovoked attack a day after his 16th birthday, at his local bakers in May 2008. 

Since that day the family have been determined to focus on two outcomes. First, that they will not be beaten by his death and secondly that something good will come from it for the benefit of young people.

Barry and Margaret share Jimmy’s story across the country in schools, churches, prisons, Pupil Referral Units & community groups. With societies threatened by an epidemic of knife crime Jimmy’s mum, Margaret says that her challenge to young people is to “Go out and be the change makers, the peacemakers, to make a difference.” 

Considering this season of Advent, Margaret’s message is one of hope: “With excitement, joy and a sense of deep reflection we anticipate the celebration of Christmas. When I look at the beautiful baby Jesus lying in the crib I am filled with a sense of peace and optimism for the future. That is why I believe we must be there for our young people, who are our future, especially those who are suffering and do not see a peaceful path ahead of them. Jesus showed us how to bring hope to life and at this special time of year my faith is strengthened to bring that hope to our young people and guide them to making a better world. Let us teach our young people how special they are, how loved they are, and how much promise they offer." 

Another project of the charity involves creating ‘Safe Havens’ which young people can turn to if they feel they are in danger. Shops and businesses display a sticker that promises protection and staff are trained in how to offer a safe space. These havens help build safer communities for our young people. 

How can we help to create safer communities and offer hope this Advent?

Please consider taking two minutes out of your day to say Jimmy’s prayer this Advent Sunday with your communities and young people.
 
Lord, we thank you for the gift of Jimmy.
Thankyou for the joy he brought to all who knew him.
May his life and witness give hope to all our precious young people.
Amen.
 
To find out more about the charity please visit: forjimmy.org

We are delighted that Margaret Mizen is one of our champions. It is their message of peace, a principle of our Catholic social teaching, that we want to share with young people.

Encounters at Courtyard

My first month at Million Minutes has gone so fast! I love working in our small but very energetic team comprising of Kate, Tadz and Danny. I have been able to meet volunteers and young people as well as plan engagements events and facilitate workshops. In this time, I have learnt so much about the positive effect that detached youth work can have on young people. Just chatting to young people can make a huge difference. You may be the only person to have spoken to that young person today that hasn’t tried to tell them off or said something negative to them (as often happens in schools to young people who are ‘on the edge’). Our encounters allow us to bring something positive to their day. Building up relationships with young people can really help boost their self-confidence and make them realise they are valuable human beings with so much to offer.

I have also had the opportunity to meet many volunteers, all with different, yet inspirational motives for wanting to help with the Courtyard project. Some are parents themselves or have worked with young people in the past, aware of the hardships that young people experience every day, and others are just compassionate beyond belief, wanting to help others in any way they can. The creativity, drive and compassion they bring to the team is astounding. They will be truly able to bring something to the young people they encounter, accompanying them wherever they want to go.

In the coming weeks I am eager to carryout the events that we have planned to engage more people in Enfield. I am looking forward to meeting new people and telling them about the potential that Courtyard has and seeing how they can bring their own qualities to the teams they will be working with.

December Courtyard events:

• ‘Pizza Fuelled Purpose’, youth chat & pizza, - Wed 5th Dec eve

• Courtyard Coffee Morning’, Enfield Film, questions, cuppas and pastries – Sat 8th Dec morn

• You Know Who?!, Enfield Edition, enjoyable mapping event to find young people, volunteers and community links – Wed 12th Dec eve. (flyer below)

• ‘Streets walk’ learn how we observe our area and groups of young people (observe only, no chatting) – flexible, or - Thurs 13th Dec eve after Parish Rosary

January event:

Offering Hope-Two opportunities to attend conversations around the nuts and bolts of good youth work projects. For more details and to register: millionminutes.eventbrite.co.uk

Additionally, if you would like to find out more about Courtyard then check out our website by visiting: https://courtyardproject.org.uk/

By Sophie Aulton (Courtyard London Worker)

Youth charity picks up challenge of Youth Synod

Stay silent for a change in solidarity with young people

The Synod on youth, which came to a close in Rome at the weekend, has called on the whole Church to accompany young people, including those who are most vulnerable in life. The Synod Bishops concluded with a message to young people declaring that the Church “does not abandon you” and “is ready to accompany you on new roads”.

Bishop Ralph Heskett, who attended the Synod as the ‘bishop for youth’ from England and Wales explained:

“At the end of the Synod, the Bishops called on the Church to accompany young people, including those who are excluded. We’re being invited to ‘stand bravely’ by their side, together discovering how all young people can live with dignity and supporting them to play their part in building today’s world.”

Million Minutes is inviting people to sign up now to use their ‘siLENT’ initiative as an opportunity to respond to this call. During Lent 2019 people are asked to take time to ‘stay silent for a change’ in solidarity with young people who are excluded, for whom silence in society isn’t a choice. Each minute is sponsored to raise money to support projects that accompany young people to change their lives and their local communities through projects that are based on Catholic social teaching.

Bishop Ralph added:

“I’ll be joining siLENT. It’s a great opportunity to be in solidarity with young people and to raise support for them”.

Sarah Burrows, a young adult from London, took part in the Synod preparation meeting in Rome involving over 300 young people from across the world. She says

“I’ll be staying silent in Lent as I see the need turn the Synod vision into a reality. We must seek ways to accompany young people and to enable them to help transform society.”

Joe Beatie, Coordinator of Walsingham House youth retreat center in Brentwood Diocese said:

“As a youth minister, every day I meet the young people that the Synod calls us to accompany. I see their absolute joy and I see the struggles they continuously face. They have so much to share with us and we can learn so much from them, but they need the space to be heard. I look forward to joining siLENT in solidarity with them. I will be speaking up with my silence and helping to raise money to give young people a platform and a voice”.

The money raised from siLENT will help people like Andre. At 16 Andre was isolated from lessons at school due to his behavioural difficulties. Lonely and frustrated Andre was given a second chance when volunteers from the local parish (funded by Million Minutes) encouraged Andre and accompanied him to help out at his local primary school. During the year his confidence grew so much that he built relationships with young people in his local neighbourhood. Knowing what being isolated felt like, he saw opportunities to include others, like supporting a child using a wheelchair to take part in a basketball game with his peers.  “I feel empowered,” he said. Andre overcame his own difficulties to use his voice to make a change for other young people.

Danny Curtin, CEO of Million Minutes, said

“Let’s speak up with silence. Sign up now for siLENT 2019. Instead of simply cutting out sugar or chocolate, take time to give up the things that fill life with noise and restlessness. By doing this you will not only allow time for silence, but your sponsorship will make a real difference to young people supporting the Church to accompany young people, especially those without a voice.”

Stay siLENT for a change. SIGN UP TODAY at: millionminutes.org/silent/.



THIS LENT STAY siLENT FOR A CHANGE. GET SPONSORED. CHANGE LIVES.

2018 Caritas Festival

On Tuesday the 2nd of October Million Minutes was delighted to attend the 2018 Caritas Festival in Whitefield, Manchester.

Sr Judith setting up the afternoons activities

Caritas Ambassadors from 22 schools across the Diocese took part in the day`s event. The day provided an excellent opportunity for the young people to interact and share with each other and hear about the amazing projects Primary and Secondary schools had been supporting throughout the year.

It was clear from the energy and enthusiasm in the room that the students loved the day. Highlights included the musical celebration in honor of the New Bishop`s Awards and the afternoon activities, which saw each school given the challenge of figuring out the Superhero behind the 14 Caritas charities present. This enabled the teachers and students to hear from the different charities and as a partner of the event, Million Minutes were able to share our story and network with the schools and organisations present.

Million Minutes was also provided with an opportunity to promote siLENT and our grants scheme. All in all, a great day was had by all.

Million Minutes X Caritas Salford Water Bottles

Million Minutes stand at the event

We've reached the million!

Million Minutes has reached a huge milestone - we've clocked up a million minutes of silence!

Million minutes started in 2011 to give voice and support to young people to change their lives and our world, raising money through sponsored silences

Thanks to a partnership with the Diocese of Brentwood, this Lent we have smashed the million minutes target and are well on the way to our second million.

Million Minutes' Director Danny Curtin said: "I'm delighted that together we've clocked up more than a million minutes of silence! It shows that we're prepared to stand with young people, especially those who don't get heard in today's world."

The last seven years have seen some big new projects, from the Celebrating Young People Awards to the Courtyard detached youth work project.

And the silence continues with siLENT, this year supported by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Delia Smith, Margaret Mizen Bishop Alan Williams and a host of schools and parishes.

Youth-led grassroots projects enabled by the sponsorship are spread across the country - from a children's holiday camp in Basildon to an intercultural programme in Bolton. All of them have young people leading social action on behalf of others.

There's still time to join silent 2018. Take part here

Sponsor someone here

Stay siLENT for a change

Let’s speak up with silence! Join us in creating a deafening silence in Lent 2018!  Take time to give up the things that fill life with noise and restlessness. Not only will you allow time for silence, your sponsorship will make a real difference to young people without a voice, for whom silence isn’t a choice. 

Corey Scott (pictured centred) was recognised for his inspiring work supporting other young people with disabilities at the 2016 Celebrating Young People Awards - read about his story here.  Corey then decided to take part in siLENT 2017 and offers these reflections.

“I wanted to participate in siLENT because I thought it was an inspiring concept, one which I feel is rarely highlighted. It is important to encourage young people to engage in spiritual conversation as well as practical action, fiercely challenging the idea that anyone, regardless of who they are, should be ignored and not listened to.

The most challenging part of silence for me was not being prohibited to talk all day and not being able to respond to my online communication. I have a very sociable and personable character, taking seriously the welfare and happiness of all my close friends and family. I feel that the initiative really pushed me to a limit I would have never have expected to reach during the daily rhythm of ordinary living. I really exceeded my own personal comfort zone and came to the realization that no task is too great. If you put your mind to it truly there are no boundaries that cannot be concurred.

At the time I was going through personal difficulties with some friends relating to confusion around identity. The campaign reminded me and allowed me to put into perspective the trivial aspects of my life and concentrate on what was more valuable going forward.

It also made me realize that faith is a life long journey. Despite the inevitable and understandable doubts you may have from time to time, it is better to stick at it regardless of life’s bumpy road. It really requires individual investment and understanding of how faith can be real to you in your daily life. You never know what the rewards may be, but the daily challenge for all people of faith is to share the light with the disconnected on the fringe of our society without judging them.

The most rewarding part of silence is knowing that I am making a positive difference to so many people that I will probably never get to know or meet but it fills me with pride to have the knowledge that I may be making some of the poorest places in the country slightly more bearable to live  for some of our most vulnerable young people.

I think siLENT attracts all ages but I am glad it mainly supports young people because they are often the most in need. I would encourage anyone to take part in siLENT - the campaign gives you time to thank God for all the good things you have in life, even the smallest blessings that you may over look. It also allows you to communicate and get to know him better, whilst reflecting how your relationship can grow and blossom, if only your willing to let it be and allow him in.”

Join us in staying silent for a change. Click here

Glittering Night of Celebration for Young People

Outstanding social action by young people was recognised at the third Celebrating Young People Awards.

On Thursday 23 November 2017 hundreds of young people, youth workers and teachers, family and friends gathered in London's Leicester Square to celebrate the inspirational lives of so many young people, nominated by you. 

The 2017 Celebrating Young People Awards, hosted by Million Minutes and with guest of honour Archbishop McMahon, highlighted some of the amazing young people across England and Wales who are transforming lives in their local communities. 

See all the stories of the young recipients here.

See all the photos here.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool Presented the Pope Francis Award to 18-year-old Aaron Omotosho of the Loreto College in Manchester. Aaron founded and continues to run a project called Help Manchester which encourages young people locally to support day centres that feed and shelter homeless people daily. Aaron studies Computing, and has set up a computing project for underprivileged young people in North Manchester. “Aaron is quite unique as all of this is entirely his own initiative, and he genuinely cares about those living in poverty and making their voices heard,” says his college chaplain. Aaron is an active member of the college’s Social Justice Group having helped raise funds for and awareness of local homelessness charities, as well as CAFOD and Laughter Africa further afield. Archbishop Malcolm congratulated him and the other young people, telling them that “you are not the Church of tomorrow but the Church of today”. He described the evening as “uplifting”.

See his story and the story of all the awards here

Margaret and Barry Mizen, who have worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation since their son Jimmy was murdered in 2008, presented the Jimmy Mizen award It recognises young people who have shown commitment to the common good or peacemaking. Winners were Hannah Rai and Zoe Ray from St Mary’s Catholic School Newcastle upon Tyne who organised a recent conference on welcoming refugees; Anna Chapman from St Anselm’s School in Kent who is a mentor for younger students with anger or behaviour problems; and Ella Holliday (pictured with Margaret and Barry) from St Bede’s School in Lytham who is a Young Peace Journalist, supported by Pax Christi, and who focuses on the plight of refugees.  

See all the stories here.

The Chaplaincy team for The Douay Martyrs Catholic School, Ickenham, Diocese of Westminster, received their Cardinal Hume Award from Cathy Corcoran (CEO of the Cardinal Hume Centre), and former Centre Client Jordan Downer. See all the stories here.

St Edward’s Youth Catholic Council from Keymer, West Sussex, whose ages range between 12 and 14, were winners of the Cardinal Hume Award for ‘living out the option for the poor’. They have thrown a spotlight on the issue of rough sleeping, asking how they as young people can improve the situation for homeless people. Their ‘big sleep out’ fundraiser got sponsors online and after Masses. They built shelters out of cardboard boxes and slept rough for a night on the church patio to raise awareness. The response from the parish has been enthusiastic, with one person commenting that, “these young people keep our Catholic community fresh and vibrant”. See all the stories here.

The awards ceremony enjoyed music from the choir of Sacred Heart School in Hammersmith.  In her thanks at the end Margaret Mizen, a champion of Million Minutes, urged those present to continue to support Million Minutes and undertake next year’s ‘siLENT’ Challenge. 

Celebrating Young People Awards: Shortlist 2017

The shortlist for the Celebrating Young People Awards 2017 have been announced by Million Minutes. Now in its third year and with an ever expanding list of nominators, we have received nominations from schools, parishes and organisations across England and Wales. The awards honour the achievements of those young people who make our communities and  a better place. Their achievements are a witness to all of us of the dedication that young people have to make a difference.

Young people were nominated in six categories, each celebrating a different aspect of Catholic social teaching lived out in action. The nominations recount examples of ordinary young people with extraordinary commitment. We hear of young people taking the initiative to find new ways to serve those around them, alongside others who tirelessly and without complaint get on with the challenging situations they find themselves in - often resulting in the most inspiring examples of social action. There are young family carers, volunteers, campaigners and eco warriors, to name just a few. The judging panels had a difficult task, but they have now chosen their shortlists - see below - and the award recipients will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Leicester Square on 23 November 2017. (The CYMFed Youth Leader Award and the Pope Francis Award do not have a shortlist. The recipients will be announced at the ceremony).

St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity

St Greg's Young Carer Ambassadors: St Gregory the Great School, Oxford
Caitolin Ali: Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, Liverpool
Alex Griffiths: Bishop Milner Catholic College, Dudley
Hannah Burton: Ursuline High School, Wimbledon
Ethan Suppaya: St Bonaventure's Catholic School, Forest Gate
Daisy Douglas: Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham

Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor

Julie-Anne Ntege: Catholic Chaplaincy, Southampton
Wiliam Kent: Newman House, London
Chaplaincy Team: The Douay Martyrs Catholic School, Ickenham
Jacinta Villabolos-Finigan: Priory School, Birmingham
Aaron Omotosho: Loretto College, Manchester
St Edwards Youth Catholic Council: St Edward's and St Luke's Parish, Keymer

Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the environment

Joab Pelling: St Joseph's Catholic High School, Newport
Charlotte Bray: Newman University, Birmingham
Matthew Gowens: Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, Fleetwood
CAFOD Climate Champions: CAFOD
Eco Committee 2016/17: St Gregory's Catholic Science College, Harrow
The One World Group: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley

Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the dignity of workers

Billingham YCW Group: St Thomas of Canterbury Parish, Billingham
Alexandra Grant: St Mary's Catholic High School, Croydon
Jonathan Wright: Thornleigh Salesian College
Artur Sobota: St Paul the Apostle Parish, London
St. Anthony's YCW Impact Group: St. Anthony's RC Girls' Academy, Sunderland
St Vincent’s Young Adult Group: St Joseph's and St Vincent's Parishes, Nechells

Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation

Dylan Went: Finchley Catholic High School
Chris Hill: Ratcliffe College, Leicester
Courteney Manning: Cardinal Allen Catholic High School, Fleetwood
James Teague: St Joseph's Parish, Wealdstone and HCPT group 144
Niamh Ross: St Thomas More Catholic High School, Crewe
St Gregory's Harrow, Sixth Form: St Gregory's Catholic Science College, Harrow
Kelsea Curran: Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, Liverpool

Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace

Just.Is: St Mary's Catholic School, Newcastle upon Tyne
Yeshi Berhanu: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Victoria Roddis: Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham
Joshua Vicente: Courtyard Project, Wood Green
Anna Chapman: St Anselm’s Catholic School, Canterbury
Ella Holliday: St Bede's Catholic High School, Lytham

Outstanding Young People Celebrated By Cardinal Nichols And Catholic Community At Londons’ Barbican Centre

Outstanding social action by young people was recognised at the second Celebrating Young People Awards.

On Tuesday 19 July 2016 hundreds of young people, youth workers and teachers, family and friends gathered at the Barbican Centre to celebrate the inspirational lives of so many young people, nominated by you. 

The 2016 Celebrating Young People Awards, hosted by Baroness Hollins and Rt Hon Ruth Kelly and with guest of honour Cardinal Nichols, highlighted some of the amazing young people across England and Wales who are transforming lives in their local communities. From the young family carer upholding human dignity, to the young man campaigning to improve the living standards of those living with disabilities, all the young people we met are living out the social teaching of the Church. Their commitment and drive is infectious, mixed with real humility. 

Cardinal Nichols chose and presented the Pope Francis Award from the hundreds of nominees. Congratulations to Matthew Martin, a sixth form student from Bolton, Greater Manchester. For the past two years, Matthew has been helping people who are homeless in Bolton, Greater Manchester. From November to April he gives up every Saturday night, from 7 pm – 1 am, preparing and serving food to between 50 and 70 people aged between 16 and 90. 

Danny Curtin from Million Minutes, said: “Through these awards we are celebrating all the inspirational young in our Catholic communities. Too often young people are overlooked, or even blamed for societies’ problems. What we want to say through the example of the young people we are celebrating tonight is that young people can be the difference in this world, and sometimes the rest of us just have to take time to stop to realise this.”

Baroness Hollins said, “We need to take time to celebrate young people, to celebrate all of you gathered here tonight and the hundreds more who have been nominated. We are celebrating all of you. Thank you for your commitment to build a more just and peaceful world – a world where everyone can flourish.”

Rt Hon Ruth Kelly, Pro Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, said: ““I’m so delighted that St Mary’s is involved in these awards and partnering with Million Minutes. It reflects our commitment to the Catholic community and to helping to transform young lives”.

You can read about and be inspired by all award recipients here and photos from the night are on our Flickr page.

We’re looking forward to continuing the journey with all the award recipients. In October we’ll meet together for a weekend to learn from and inspire one another. 

The 2017 Awards are planned for November – we’ll announce them here soon.

Pope Francis Award Recipient returns from life changing trip

Last year, 1 July, saw the inaugural Celebrating Young People Awards in London's Leicester Square, organised by Catholic Charity Million Minutes. The awards recognise and celebrate young people living out the principles of Catholic social teaching, from the young family carer upholding human dignity, to the teenager promoting peace by leading the campaign to eliminate bullying in his school.

On that night, Cardinal Vincent Nichols gave the Pope Francis Award to Ryan O'Neill a psychiatric nursing student from Merthyr Tydfil who, in his free time works tirelessly supporting and inspiring young people. As part of his award, Ryan has just completed a tailor-made study trip to Argentina to trace the footsteps of Pope Francis.

Here Chris Knowles, Trustee of Million Minutes, who accompanied Ryan, writes of the trip:

On 1 July 2016 we found ourselves in a suburb of Buenos Aires, staying in a building called the ‘minimo’. This building, in years gone by was surrounded by a farm set up by Padre Bergoglio, it sat in the grounds of the Maximo College, the Jesuit theology and philosophy college that Bergoglio lived in as Provincial, and the community (and seminary) that he subsequently rector of. It was a exactly a year before that we were say in a theatre in Leicester Square and Ryan O’Neill received the Pope Francis award from Cardinal Nichols for efforts supporting young people on the margins in South Wales as part of the 2015 Million Minutes Celebrating Young People Awards.

The study trip, supported by the International Young Leaders Network, was an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Pope Francis, to learn about context from which he came, and to see how the Church in Argentina tried to live out its responsibility to the most vulnerable in society.

While staying in the Jesuit community in San Miguel we visited the poor neighbourhoods in which Pope Francis worked, the local areas in which he was instrumental in the in the efforts to reach out and set up new chapels and parishes. We were welcomed into these communities with such generosity, while there were often language barriers, their openness and affection towards us was unmistakable. As we got further into these neighbourhoods it was clear that, the further you got from the main road, the more deprived it got. The buildings were more basic, and fewer of the roads were tarmacked. For Ryan, “visiting the poorer parts of Argentina is heart-breaking, but at the same time visiting their houses and experiencing their attitudes, seeing how open they are to helping others was very moving”. After sending out seminarians on pastoral duties, Bergloglio used to check the bottom of their shoes for dust and dirt. Having spent some time in these communities, it’s clear that this was a good way to know that you’d reached those families that needed the support of the Church the most…!

On the 2nd of July we were privileged enough to be invited to a mass in one of the poor neighbourhoods near the Jesuit college as they celebrating the lives of two Assumptionist seminarians who were 'disappeared' during Argentina's last dictatorship. Raúl Rodríguez and Carlos Antonio de Piero were taken in the middle of the night 40 years ago by men in army uniform, and their bodies have never been found. They were studying at the Maximo College where Fr Juan Carlos Scannone SJ, a friend of Pope Francis and a theologian quoted in Laudato Si’ taught them theology. Fr Scannone celebrated the mass with an Assumptionist priest who lived with the two seminarians, and only survived that night because he went home to spend a night at his parents’ house.

We also got the time to learn about the reality of the social problems in the big city from the cold face in a Jesuit homeless shelter in the centre of Buenos Aires. Over the last 10 years demand has grown and grown for the simple services they provide. Even only a very short period of time we were able to build relationships with those that came to the centre because we ate together, prayed together, learnt together and even celebrated Argentinian independence together with a Mass and a fantastic fiesta! Often they felt so welcomed at this centre because, unlike other projects in Buenos Aires, they were treated with the dignity and love.

After receiving nominations for over 250 young people, Million Minutes, in partnership with St Mary’s university Twickenham are now preparing for this year’s Award Ceremony on Tuesday 9 July at London’s Barbican Centre. 

Celebrating Young People Awards: Shortlist 2016

The Celebrating Young People Awards honour the achievements of truly remarkable young people who make our communities and our world a better place. Their achievements are an inspiration for us all, showing us all how ordinary young people can do the most extraordinary things.

 Nearly 250 young people were nominated for awards in six categories, celebrating how they put Catholic social teaching into action. We're received inspiring nominations telling us stories of  young family carers, dedicated volunteersand passionate campaigners, to name just a few. With nominations drawn from schools, parishes, organisations and individuals  throughout England and Wales our judging panels, made up of celebrated figures, had a difficult task. But the six separate panels have now  chosen their shortlists - see below - and the young award recipients will be announced at a glittering ceremony this Summer. (The CYMFed Youth Leader Award and the Pope Francis Award do not have a shortlist. The recipients will be announced at the ceremony). 

Cardinal Hume Award: Living out the option for the poor
Tom Morris & Emily Tierney:  Kenelm Youth Trust, Birmingham
Sixth Form Homelessness Campaign Group: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley
Justice and Peace Group: Notre Dame RC Girls' School, London
Year 12 General Religious Studies Group: St Anselm's College, Liverpool
Matthew Martin: Holy Cross College, Bury
Caitlin Nunez: St Angela's Ursuline School, London

Joseph Cardijn Award: Protecting the Dignity of workers
Marc Besford: Ushaw College, Durham
Martins Banjo: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, London
Kirsty Anne Watson: Drayton
Alice Stella: South London
Corey Scott: Blackburn College and HCPT
Daniel Fazackerley: St John Rigby College, Wigan

Barbara Ward Award: Caring for the Environment
Owen Bond: Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton
St James Climate Bloggers: St James Catholic High School, London
Angelique Carlin and Emily Pranarauskait: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Sam Abraham: All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield
Anthony Adusei Poku: St Bonaventure's, London
SPH EcoTeam: The St Philip Howard Catholic High School, Bognor Regis

Dorothy Day Award: Fostering community and participation 
Charlie O'Sullivian: St Joseph's College and HCPT Group 721, London
Charlotte Walmsley: Holy Cross Catholic High School, Chorley
Reena Joseph: St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley
Megan Auld: Loreto Sixth Form College, Manchester
Anna Joy Marshall: St. Hugh's Parish and NJPN, Chesterfield
Flavia Sofia Bernardo Matos: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

Jimmy Mizen Award: Promoting solidarity and peace
RHUL Inter-faith group: Chaplaincy, Royal Holloway University of London
Emma Atherton: Pax Christi, Liverpool
John Ruggerio: Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, Worcester
Adelaide Laureta and Canice Marcel: St Angela's Ursuline School, London
Newman Catholic College London Citizens: Newman Catholic College, London
Douay Martyrs Chaplaincy Team: The Douay Martyrs School, London

St Josephine Bakhita Award: Celebrating human dignity
Abbie Walker: Sacred Heart Catholic College, Liverpool
Angeline Umba: Holy Cross College, Bury
Madeleine Kennedy: L'Arche Manchester
Christopher Austria: St Bonaventure's, London
Nicola Mattocks: New Addington Church, London
Helen Olorunsuyi: St Angela's Ursuline School, London