Our group started its activities in November 2014 with a common vision of wanting to put our faith in action. Our aim is to campaign for those in need (both globally and locally) drawing inspiration from Matthew’s Gospel (25: 35-40)  “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something  to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

We meet once a month to learn more about topics of social justice, such as:

  • Homelessness
  • Refugee crisis
  • Modern slavery
  • Disabilities
  • Persecution because of Faith
  • Torture

Our children are encouraged to challenge their own pre-conceived ideas by looking at the issues from a Christian perspective.

We often have speakers coming from different charitable organisations who help us to deepen our understanding of the topics. Children from the group are then  encouraged to act, to put their faith in action.

Our youth have been doing so by:

1 – Holding presentations at Masses to raise awareness (CAFOD campaigns like “Power to be” and “Share the Journey”)

2 – Writing cards to people unjustly  tortured and imprisoned  in order to encourage and support them

3 – Fundraising for many different charities:

  • Every year the children have participated in a “sponsored sleep rough challenge” raising thousands of pounds for the homeless.
  • They participated in the organising of a music concert in aid of a Kenyan orphanage and the East Africa Emergency Appeal.
  • They ran coffee mornings in aid of “Hope for Justice”, “Jesuit Refugee Service”, “CAFOD Syrian Refugee appeal” etc.

4 – Serving our Parish Community :

  • Children actively serve by participating regularly in the Liturgy by reading or serving at Mass.
  • Every year they  lead one of the Stations of the Cross with a focus on issues of social justice.
  • They organise an annual Christmas Afternoon Tea for the housebound and the elderly of the Parish.

Right from the beginning the St George’s Youth J&P group has enjoyed the support of our Parish priest and of the entire Parish community who are always very generous and encouraging in everything we do.