YOucat Forum

During the World Youth Day which was held in Madrid in 2011, Pope Benedict XVI gave to each participant a copy of the new youth Catechism: YOUCAT. During his Homily at the closing Mass the Holy Father urged young people “not to keep Christ to themselves…we are to share with others the joy of our faith…for we have been given the extraordinary task of being disciples and missionaries of Christ to other lands.” This is an awesome task and a responsibility that all the baptised are asked to undertake. In the introduction to the YOUCAT the Holy Father invites young people to “Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance…to make a sacrifice of your time for it! Study it in the quiet of your room; read it with a friend; from study groups and networks; share with each other on the internet…continue to talk with each other about your faith.”

We cannot hand on to others that which we do not possess ourselves. In order to be the missionaries that the Holy Father encourages us to be we need to know our faith. Knowing our faith means that we encounter the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. It is this encounter with Christ, that moves us, inspires us to hand on our faith and makes us the people whom, from all eternity, God has destined us to be.
In response the Holy Father’s invitation the Youth Service of the Diocese of East Anglia has put together a website to help people come together, share, discuss and learn about the faith. Youcat Forum provides a place to discuss topics and ask questions that perhaps otherwise would go unasked.

Youcat Forum currently has two priests and a youth worker on its administrative team who are available online to help with discussion - threads and questions. Should you have a question that you want to ask a priest in a one to one situation you can contact one of our priests directly through the web form in the “ask a priest” section.

Who are we:

Fr. Michael Collis BA, STB
Fr. Michael Collis studied at Oscott College, Birmingham and was ordained a priest in 2010. He currently serves as an assistant priest at St Peter and All Souls, Peterborough. He is also chaplain to, St John Fisher High School and University Centre Peterborough. Fr. Michael has been on two World Youth Days.

Fr. Luke Goymour BA, STB
Fr. Luke studied at Oscott College, Birmingham and was ordained a priest in 2010. He currently serves as an assistant priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist , Norwich. He currently serves on the Diocesan Youth Council of East Anglia. Fr. Luke has been on three World Youth Days.

Mr Hamish MacQueen BN(hons), RN
Hamish MacQueen has been in full time Christian Ministry for nearly 20 years. For the last eight years he has been the Director of Youth Services for the Diocese of East Anglia. He lives in Norwich with is wife April and three young children. Hamish has been to four World Youth Days.