- The buttons on the top narrow down the resources that are visible on this page. There are many more themes and kinds of resources, to see more click through the page numbers at the bottom, or to narrow down resources hover on the menu and choose a theme/kind to focus in on.
If you come across any really great resources, please do get in touch and us know about them!
This page contains a lot of resources, and can be too much for those using mobiles or older computers. There is a page that contains fewer resources that will be easier to load here.
CYMFed National Catholic Award Scheme – resources launched
Launched in early February 2016, at the CYMFed National Leaders’ Congress, the Faith in Action Award Scheme acknowledges and celebrates young peoples’ involvement within our communities. The award encourages volunteering and offers points for reflection. The award is split into four different levels tailored to different age groups.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross in the Year of Mercy, with Fr Nick King SJ, produced by Southwark Catholic Youth Service.
These can be used for individual prayer and reflection via the podcast, or in larger groups using the videos.
Podcasts and videos are here
The prayer for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
On Tuesday 8th December, we begin our Jubilee Year of Mercy which will take us through World Youth Day and many other events, before ending in November 2016. Take a look at the prayer written by Pope Francis especially for the Jubilee Year of Mercy:
The Origins of Chaplaincy – From Fr David O’Malley SDB
Wednesday the 11th of November is the feast of St Martin de Tours, the first chaplain! Below is an extract from Fr David O’Malley’s book ‘School Ethos and Chaplaincy’, available from Don Bosco Publications and on Amazon
“The story of chaplaincy begins at the gate to the city of Amiens in 337 CE. Martin, a young soldier in the Roman army, was walking into the city during a bitterly cold winter. The crowds were hurrying past a half-naked beggar who was close to death. Martin, unpaid and having only his military uniform, stopped and looked at the man who gazed back at him expectantly, with hand outstretched. After a slight hesitation, Martin took out his sword and then removed his cloak and sliced it through the middle giving one half to the man and using the other half to cover himself again. Read more
Alpha Youth Film Series
Alpha in the US have created some really good videos directed to young people. It’s not a Catholic resource, but is focused more on questions and opening up a space for people to start to engage with their faith, so we think it’s well worth looking at! Read more
Climate Action Simulation Game
Remember trading trainers? Then the trade game? There’s a new climate based simulation game for groups! Check it out and find all the resources you need on the CAFOD site here
King of Hearts – NYS 2015
The 2015 National Youth Sunday Resources are online, you can find them all here, order printed resources from Redemptorist publications, or download them directly from the Bishops Conference Website through the links below. Read more
Migrant Debate Resource from the Columbans
Migrant Crisis?: The Big Debate
A PowerPoint from Columban Justice and Peace Education. For use with young people to explore refugees and faith responses.
The Columbans Justice and Peace Education team have created this resource to for their work, but wanted to share it with a wider audience.
You can download it here!
Commissioning Chaplains – Fr David O’Malley SDB
Taken from Fr David O’Malley’s Blog
This is the time of year when many chaplains are commissioned or re-commissioned for service in school communities. Commissioning can be a very helpful experience for both the chaplain and for the school community because:
- It highlights the spiritual dimension of the school and the seriousness with which the school approaches its ethos.
- It emphasises the different role and relationships that the chaplain has to maintain within other professional relationships at school.
- It allows the school to recognise its formal links to the church as a a church school, especially if the dean or some local clergy take part in the commissioning.
- It is a formal invitation for others to recognise and pray for the chaplain and be ready to support their work.
CAFOD Refugee Crisis Resources
It’s been all over the news, but is a topic that’s always worth looking at. Find some of CAFOD’s resources about the current crisis that will also be useful after the news stories die down. Find their resources here.
The E-Testament
The Salesian Media Office shares a reflection, video and prayer each week to help young people reflect on the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. It’s updated each week and is a great resource for young people themselves and form time prayers!
You can find the site here: http://www.the-etestament.co.uk
Be Revolutionary: A CAFOD Confirmation resource
CAFOD have put together a really great confirmation resource called ‘Be Revolutionary’!
You can find everything you need to know about it, and the resources themselves on CAFOD’s site here
“In this Confirmation resource we hope to provide an adaptable set of activities that you can integrate into your own Confirmation programme. The aims of the activities are to enable your confirmandi to explore the concept of justice and feel part of the global Church. We also provide some practical ways for young people to put their faith into action.”
Bread Reflection
This is a lovely Eucharistic reflection on bread from Fr David O’Malley SDB
Laudato Si Summary
A lovely video summary of Laudato Si from James Martin, great for use with young people!
Laudate Si Resource
This is a video produced by the Vatican to go out as they publish the whole forty thousand word document. It is in English, as well as Italian and Spanish. Read more
Fantastic Icebreaker Website
This site has loads of game ideas, and is broken down to make it easy to find what you want! http://www.icebreakers.ws
The Word Exposed – Cardinal Tagle
Many of us saw Cardinal Tagle on Flame 2, he puts out a Gospel reflection each week called ‘The World Exposed’. They tend to be uploaded on the Saturday night and are on the Sunday readings of the following day. You can find the latest ones through this link!
Revision, that time of year again…
We’re heading towards exams, this means many of the young people we work with will be revising, or more likely procrastinating! While it’s good for them to get away from these pressures, I always found it was helpful to remind myself of some useful study skills basics so I could be useful if this is what they needed.
I just found a couple of great posts on the Talking Donkey RE site with videos that are really great!
Pope Francis’ Prayer for the Jubilee Year of Mercy!
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,
and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.
Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; Read more