On a stormy winter evening I headed down the M6 and M42 to visit the St Carlo Acutis Youth Group (Juniors). My colleague also embarked on a similar journey to attend the Seniors group.

Horrible outside, but a lovely warm welcome for us both at Our Lady of the Wayside, Shirley and Olton Friary, Solihull as we headed to visit the respective youth groups.

The St Carlo Acutis Youth Group is a collaboration between Our Lady of the Wayside, Olton Friary and St Augustine’s churches in the Solihull area. 

It provides a welcoming safe space every Friday during term-time for young people of varying ages to grow in faith, build lasting friendships, and take part in fun and enriching activities.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was greeted at Our Lady of the Wayside by Juniors youth leader Maeve, but it soon became clear…

As the doors opened and around 25 children flooded in the parish hall was filled with joyful, excitable, noisy youngsters. Eager to get started on the evening’s activities and play with their friends outside of school.

A chance to let their hair down, let off steam, interact with each other in a neutral environment.

As youth leader Chris (also a teacher) explained: “It may look chaotic, but they are having a great time. It is not a completely structured evening – they’ve had a whole week of being told what to do.

“They interact with each other in a natural way, spiritual way. Feeding the soul can happen outside of school and church, here it is right now.

“Carlo Acutis is my inspiration. He wouldn’t say ‘I’m tired at the end of the week’. I have to come and help, it’s what he would have done.”

Each Friday session starts with prayer and reflection time. At the Juniors group the theme was ‘Jesus is the light of the world’, which was reflected in the craft activity of painting glass jars as tealight holders. Each child left with a (battery-operated) tealight to remind them Jesus is the light of the world and always with them.

Over at the Seniors group (which is split into two to cater for various ages and attracted around 40 attendees) there was Bible Charades and a music activity.

A definite highlight of the evening is the tuck shop, where you can get your hands on three treats (the £2 donation per child helps to pay for this).

At the Juniors group, leader Becky helps to run the tuck. She has been involved with the youth group from the start.

“I have two teenage children and when I look back, I realise it was good for them to have friends’ groups. Time together in Christ. A sense of belonging in a group.”

At the Senior group, running the tuck shop is also an opportunity for some of the group attendees to add to their Duke of Edinburgh award.

Fr Andy at Our Lady of the Wayside and Fr Biju at Olton Friary regularly drop in to see how the Friday sessions are going. Both are delighted with the success of the groups to date, which highlights the strength of support between Church - School - Community.

As the second half begins (after tuck) at the Juniors it’s time for games. The children have boundless energy and are happy to just run around and have fun with all manner of energetic activities.

Over at the Seniors, which is led by Ray McNally, youth group chairman, and several youth leaders, there’s a discussion on Evil amongst the older young people (different topics are discussed and debated, with all opinions and viewpoints are welcomed and kept within the room).

Whereas the rest worked on logo designs for Olton Friary’s upcoming 150th anniversary of the laying of the founding stone.

So, lots going on to keep everyone engaged for the Friday night sessions.

And all too soon youth leader Chris was saying to the Juniors “All good things come to an end” and they settled down for night prayer and a little discussion.

My eyes were opened during this youth group visit. It was wonderful to see children engaged, having fun, living their faith. And hats off to the youth group leaders who make it happen every week, they are doing an amazing job.

The youth group started out small in September 2023 and has steadily grown – highlighting just how much a youth group facility was needed. It has some 16 youth leaders and is proving to be a great asset to parish life with some inspirational and moving stories of faith and growth. 

The St Carlo Acutis Youth Group model is soon to be presented to the Birmingham East and North Deanery to see if it can be replicated in other parishes.

Anyone interested in finding out more can email Ray McNally, youth group chairman, via [email protected] 

Faye Fawcett and Caroline Bletso, Diocesan Communications Officers