INVITATION
In recent years TY students in many schools in the Elphin diocese, after having participated in some workshops with Trócaire personnel, have opted to become Lenten Youth Ambassodors in their school and / or parish community. We invite all 2025/2026 TY students to consider this opportunity.
WHAT IS A LENTEN YOUTH AMBASSADOR?
A Transition Year student who, having participated in relevant workshops, supports Trócaire’s social justice, climate change or charitable objectives in their school and / or parish community by advancing an initiative they come up with and agree on during Lent 2026.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE?
Trócaire, in partnership with the Elphin diocese, have prepared an introductory PowerPoint Presentation for interested TY students. TY students may request this through their TY Co-ordinator / Religious Education Teacher who in turn can request same from Justin Harkin (Elphin Diocesan Project Leader) by contacting Justin on 087 6171526 / justin@elphindiocese.ie .
Following on from this introduction, Trocaire will be happy to send a Trócaire Team Member to your school to provide either a morning or afternoon workshop to all interested TY students.
We are particularly keen that TY students experience this initiative as an opportunity to exercise their gifts and abilities in their parish or school community, and that related experiences will help them recognise practical ways they can support people in need and promote social justice.
Time spent as a Lenten Youth Ambassador may also be put toward a St. Pope John Paul II Award or Gaisce Award.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS & DATES & TIMES OF INITIAL TRÓCAIRE WORKSHOP
Information will be added as TY classes and year groups express interest and sign up for introductory morning or afternoon workshops.
Trocaire have indicated that the following October time-slots are available and that starting and finishing times are flexible.
- Monday 13th Oct.
Morning –
Afternoon – Mercy College Roscommon - Tuesday 14th Oct.
Morning – Scoil Mhuire Ballygar
Afternoon – St. Cuan’s College, Castleblakney. - Wednesday 15th Oct.
Morning – Ursuline College Sligo
Afternoon – CBS Roscommon - Thursday 16th Oct.
Morning –
Afternoon – - Friday 17th Oct.
Morning - Monday 20th Oct.
Morning –
Afternoon – - Tuesday 21st Oct.
Morning – Castlerea Community School
Afternoon – St. Nathy’s College (Achonry Diocese) - Wednesday 22nd Oct.
Morning –
Afternoon – Coláiste Chiaráin Athlone. - Thursday 23rd Oct.
Morning – Abbey Community College Boyle.
Afternoon – - Friday 24th Oct.
Morning – - Tuesday 4th Nov.
Morning – Mercy College Sligo
ADULT PARISHIONER INVOLVEMENT
Where TY students opts to adopt a parish-based initiative, the Achonry and Elphin dioceses will seek to support initial contact with local clergy and Parish Pastoral Council Officers. Pending the chosen initiative, certain Safeguarding procedures may apply.
In many cases in the past parents, grandparents and other adult family members of TY students have been very helpful.
PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY TY STUDENTS 2021 – 2025
- Creation of visual displays in churches and schools,
- Presentations at Masses,
- Promotion of Trócaire’s Lenten social media campaign through students’ own networks
- Raising awareness with junior cycle students in schools through Social Justice games
- Fundraisers – Cake Sale, Football Blitz, School and parish showings of the movie, The Letter,
- Building Bug Hotels
- Presentations to Primary School children.
THE ROLE OF THE ADULT PARISH VOLUNTEER (where applicable)
Occasionally TY students opt to undertake a parish-based Lenten project which involves adult participation too. When this is the case, it is recommended that the group invite an adult, who is willing to undertake Garda Vetting and Safeguarding Training, to journey with them, and be a point of connection and contact with the adult parishioners who will journey with them.
Ideally this person will:
3) be open to being a friendly presence during related meetings in the parish
4) assist the Ambassadors put shape on one or two manageable projects
5) ensure that safeguarding requirements are met when Ambassadors gather to progress their project
6) affirm and praise the work undertaken
7) facilitate Ambassadors access any additional help that may be required.
As most TY students are competent and talented people who have other commitments it is not envisaged that Lenten Youth Ambassadors and Adult Parish Volunteers will meet on more than one or two occasions.
TRÓCAIRE TEAM
We are most grateful for the support of the following:
Deirbhile Craven, Church Youth Officer
Stephen Farley, Post-Primary Education Officer
Jane Mellett, Church Outreach Manager
Marie-Anne Michel, Volunteer and Outreach Officer
SUPPORTING RESOURCES
Diocesan and Trócaire personnel appreciate that Lenten Youth Ambassadors may require additional support. This can be requested by contacting Deacon William, Justin or Deirbhile (see contact details below).
ADDITIONAL ENQUIRIES:
Justin Harkin
Pastoral & Faith Dev. Services
justin@elphindiocese.ie
087 6171526
Deacon William Gacquin
Diocesan Trócaire Representative
williamgacquin@eircom.net
086 1693902
Deirbhile Craven
Trócaire Church Youth Officer
deirbhile.craven@trocaire.org