On a busy Friday night in Maynooth,on 16 March, over 30 young adults gathered in the local Saint Mary’s Parish Centre for the inaugural ‘Hopefest’, a vibrant event that brought local youth together for social time, spiritual reflection, and inspirational inputs on various faith-based topics. Organised by the Archdiocese of Dublin, Hopefest is designed to encourage young people to engage with their faith in a community setting, offering them an opportunity to share their experiences and learn about different local projects or groups they could get involved with.
The first Hopefest gathering was especially significant as it marked the beginning of a new initiative inspired by the theme of the Jubilee Year. The event aimed to provide a platform for young adults to lead peer-to-peer ministry in a simple, accessible way. At its core, Hopefest is about fostering a sense of local community, where young people can connect with one another, share their interests, and inspire each other to participate in faith-based activities.
The evening kicked off with a chance for attendees to reconnect with old friends or make new ones before the evening’s scheduled activities began. The event then shifted to the first of four speed inputs with the first presentation exploring the concept of Jubilee, reflecting on the scripture theme and offering insights into upcoming opportunities for young adults to engage in their faith throughout the year.
Next, the group focused on the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis and heard a brief overview of his life, his role in the Church, and how attendees could get involved with events surrounding his canonisation, set to take place on 27 April, 2025. Following this, a local young adult group shared information about their weekly prayer gatherings and their mission to support young people in the city. The final input focused on the Taizé Community, offering a glimpse into the group’s spirituality before participants transitioned to the parish church for a peaceful time of Taizé prayer.
By close, the gathering had successfully fostered a sense of community and inspiration. Despite the simple structure, the evening had a significant impact, sparking plans for future Hopefest events in the region. The Archdiocese of Dublin plans to continue hosting Hopefest gatherings across local deaneries, especially throughout the Jubilee Year, as young adults take the lead in building stronger faith communities in their areas.