Seven young people from St Andrew’s Parish, Teesville, have received a temporary commissioning as Ministers of the Word from parish priest, Canon Edmond Gubbins. The young people aged between 15 and 17 will all be commissioned fully by Bishop Terence Drainey at the Diocesan Commissioning Day for Ministers of the Word at York.

The new initiative is the latest undertaken by the parish in a bid to encourage young people to take more responsibility in the life of the parish. The ‘magnificent seven’ attended an in-house training course over the past few months which was facilitated by Kath Gallagher. They were then commissioned in a short ceremony during the Christ the King Youth Mass on Saturday 22nd November and each received a temporary faculty until they attend York in May.

The theme of the Youth Mass was ‘Reclaim the future for Christ’ and after the Mass, Parish Youth Leader, Paul Terry, said ‘What a brilliant way to celebrate Christ the King and National Youth Sunday. Sometimes, to understand something, we need to ‘step out’ from the constraints of ‘the box’ and view from the outside in or from a different angle. Here this evening by thinking outside of the box we have started to lay some firm foundations to ensure that our young people feel part of the parish. We need to make those foundations stronger, so that we can build on them and that is the challenge for us all as we enter a new year. If we take a step back, reassess the situation and all pull in the same direction WE WILL RECLAIM THE FUTURE FOR CHRIST!’

Keep up-to-date with St Andrew’s Parish at www.standrewsteesville.org.uk