The M.Y. Mission Team (Middlesbrough Youth Mission), is the first youth mission team to be created in, and for, the diocese and has been established by Bishop Terence Patrick. Our members include Youth Chaplain Fr. Paul Farrer, team leader David Barwick, and team members Hannah Coyle, Dominique Finn, Deborah McIntosh and Louise Williams. We live at the Mission House, St. Thomas More’s Convent, next door to St. Thomas More’s church so if you’re passing be sure to stop in for a cuppa – the kettle’s always on!

The team aims to help young people explore their faith and deepen their relationship with Our Lord, Jesus Christ. We provide missions in the schools and parishes of the diocese. Our first mission is in All Saints secondary school in York, entitled “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives” and it is a time for renewal for the full school. By using all of the saints that are part of the schools heritage we hope to help them explore how each of them can develop as a school community in the future. This mission will include working with All Saints for a whole week and delivering sessions to all of the year groups, 7 – 13.

After this mission we will be heading out to a few primary schools including Sacred Heart, Northallerton and both St Patrick and Christ the King Primaries in Thornaby so we have an action packed first term and it certainly doesn’t let up after Christmas. It’s all go go go and its incredibly exciting for all of us.

‘I am very excited by the possibilities that having a Mission Team gives us. This group of young people have great stories to tell just in terms of their own faith. Their willingness to live that faith ‘out loud’ alongside other young people is a great gift to our Diocese.’ Said, Fr Paul.

‘We can’t wait to get into the schools and start working with other young people in our diocese. It’s a very exciting time for us being at the beginning of this experience and we can’t wait to see where it will lead us’ said David and Hannah.

‘I’m really enthusiastic about being part of the very first mission team. I am proud of this area, because I’m from here, and I’m looking forward to giving back to the diocese’ said Deborah.

Check us out at mymission.org.uk and see what we’re doing.