When someone’s discernment journey leads to a vocation to the consecrated life, there are mixed emotions: the joy is often tempered by sadness as the person leaves us and goes off to study for the priesthood or to join a religious order. Kathy Shaw who organises our SPARK Social Justice group for young adults reports on the formation of SPARK’s Catholic Young Men’s Group and news of two of its members who are leaving to pursue their vocations to the religious life…:
We are sadly saying farewell to two members of our Catholic Young Men’s Group, who are joining religious orders. One young man originally from Ireland is joining the Dominicans and one member from Lithuania is joining the Jesuits in Austria.
As often happens, all the best ideas in SPARK come from our membership and the idea for the Men’s Group came from a synodal listening event we hosted in February 2025. Listening to ‘SPARK Voices’ is a key part of what we do, and the theme of “What could the Diocese of Leeds do for young Catholic men?” was also chosen by a member of our Faith and Friendship Group. The mixed gender discussion observed that social networks in church were often aimed at women, with limited appeal for men “there is a lack of comfort for men in the spaces that exist”. An overwhelming theme emerged from these and other consultations, young Catholic men were looking for a feeling of belonging “a fraternity, somewhere to share our faith”.
The final report was circulated to the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission which leads SPARK and to the Bishop of Leeds. Bishop Marcus unexpectedly called into our Faith and Friendship group to hear what the SPARK members might want to share with him directly. This visit, alongside the feedback from the Commission was really valued by everyone who had contributed their views. So, fast forward to where we are now … as a result of these discussions a regular group was curated by our SPARK member, Conor. We continue to host and support these gatherings in the lovely venue of Hinsley Hall and discussions around faith, fraternity and connection are an integral part of every occasion.
We send Stephen and Laurynus all our prayers from SPARK and the Justice and Peace Commission as they dedicate their lives to God’s work. This is such a significant milestone for them both in their spiritual journey and perhaps being part of a group of peers, sharing their Catholic identity, offered an opportunity in their discernment to combine reflection, prayer and dialogue. Their faith and perseverance has brought these young men to take this meaningful step; their warmth, devotion and compassion will make them both valued members of these communities.
If you would like to hear more about the work of SPARK Social Justice, or you think you have a good idea and would like some help to make this happen, just get in touch and have a chat. Contact: sparks.jandp@dioceseofleeds.org.uk or call 07756 717 032
As more young men are becoming interested in the Catholic faith, they often express a wish to meet in single-sex groups of their peers. Another of these groups set up recently for both the Leeds and Middlesbrough Dioceses is The Oratory of St Joseph, currently for men aged 21 to 35, which meets at Hinsley Hall on the last Thursday of each month 6.30pm to 8pm, for a talk, supper, and social time.
The young men and women in the SPARK Voices discussion feel that Catholic Young Men’s Groups are needed, as so many of the social networks in the Church have more often been aimed specifically at women’s participation. There are still many women’s groups across the Catholic Church nationally and in the Diocese of Leeds. Two examples are the UCM (Union of Catholic Mothers, although one does not have to be a mother to join!), which thrives at six parishes across the Diocese: Bingley, Bradford, Castleford, Garforth and Ossett) and the group co-ordinated by the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal at St Clare Convent, Corpus Christi Church, Osmondthorpe which meets 7pm to 9.30pm on the first Friday of each month.
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