A Year of Growth and Grace for St John’s Youth Group

Throughout 2025, St John’s Youth Group at St John’s Cathedral, Norwich, has continued to flourish as a vibrant centre of faith, fellowship and formation.

Every Tuesday evening, between 40 and 60 teenagers gather for prayer, teaching and community, a remarkable growth from just a handful of committed members only a few years ago. This increase is seen by many as a clear sign of the Holy Spirit at work, breathing new life into the young Church in East Anglia.

A key element of each weekly gathering is the talk or formation session, often led by members of the Ignite Team or by young leaders from within the group. These talks cover a wide range of topics and do not shy away from the challenging issues young Catholics face. One notable example was the four-week series on Theology of the Body in May 2025, entitled Love vs Lust, which offered honest discussion of real-life questions from a Catholic perspective.

Formation also comes through encounters with those working in important ministries. In September, Rachel from Rachel’s Vineyard, a charity dedicated to providing healing after abortion trauma, visited the group to speak about pro-life issues in a gentle and reflective setting. Such sessions help equip young people with a deeper understanding of their faith and its relevance to the world around them.

The group’s activity reaches well beyond the walls of the Cathedral. Each week, up to 15 young people serve at the Tuesday 5.30 pm Mass, witnessing through their commitment at the altar. They also put the Gospel into action through charitable works. One highlight of the year was their involvement in Operation Christmas Child, during which they packed an impressive 85 shoeboxes for children in need, a practical expression of the love and community spirit they strive to cultivate.

Alongside formation and service, the youth group is also a place of friendship and fun. Games at the start of each session and shared meals encourage a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A new initiative launching next term, a designated “games master” for each week, promises even more creativity and laughter.

Older members, from sixth form and university age, have also become involved in Enkindle, a new programme designed to equip young Catholics to share the Gospel confidently and live out their faith in daily life. The strong sense of fellowship developed within the youth group has enabled many to join Enkindle together, strengthening its fruitfulness. These young leaders are already serving the wider diocesan community by supporting events such as Hope and assisting with Confirmation and First Holy Communion programmes.

Two members of the group shared how deeply the youth group has shaped their faith journey.

Simone Mathias, who joined in Year 13 and now helps to lead the sessions, said, “I think the biggest blessing I received this year was being invited to youth group. It has helped me to grow so much as a person, I have learnt so much about my faith and what it truly means to live it out and put it into practice”.

Enzo, who joined in Year 11 and is now in Year 12, said, “Youth group is a place to both relax in the company of my friends and come into a deeper understanding of my relationship with God”.

Their testimonies reflect the heart of St John’s Youth Group: a place where young people can deepen their faith, form lasting friendships and experience the joy of being part of a supportive and prayerful community.

As the group looks ahead to the coming year, its members remain grateful for all that God has done and excited for all that He continues to inspire in the young Church of East Anglia.

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