Section Navigation: |
Who We Are
The Team
BCYS Director - Sarah Barber
Sarah has recently become Director of the BCYS (September 2009), having been our Events Manager for over 7 years. She has been part of the BCYS since she first came to Lourdes aged 14! Sarah went to the Ilford Ursuline, and later graduated with an MSc from the University of Westminster. She and her husband, James (who she met through the BCYS!) now live with their two children in Billericay.
Sarah likes spending time with her family and friends - going on long walks, visiting London, volunteering for CAFOD and taking photos. Sarah is especially grateful to the youth workers who affected her life when she was younger (Fr Pat Sammon and Sister Mary Harrington), they and others were a key influence in Sarah wanting to work with young people.
Sarah loves all sorts of music, from show tunes to Coldplay. She is a Billy Bragg fan but enjoys listening to him talk as much or more than when he sings!
Sarah feels privileged to work for the BCYS, and is grateful for the opportunities it has given her to be part of the lives of so many amazing young people. She would like all young people of the Diocese to feel really welcome to get involved with the BCYS, and hopes that by doing so they make new friends, are strengthened in their faith, and challenged to make the world a better place for all.
Her favourite quote is:
"Remind me each morning of your unfailing love, for I put my trust in you" Psalm 143:8
For enquiries about booking a retreat for a parish or school group at Walsingham House please contact Sarah Beresford, Director or Kylie Burns, secretary. For lots more information about the House and the Team who work there, please visit the Walsingham House website.
Events Manager - Clare Sullivan
Since becoming involved with the BCYS in 2004, Clare has been a part of a variety of events, from local Youth Masses, to World Youth Day in Australia, to helping at a homeless shelter, as well as 3 trips to summer Lourdes and two more at Easter with the HCPT.
These experiences and the people she met within the youth service inspired her to volunteer for a year at Walsingham House. She then spent a further year volunteering in the Youth Office, working alongside Sarah to help co-ordinate events such as Youth Gather and Lourdes.
As she takes on her new role as Events Manager Clare is looking forward to continuing and building upon the work of the youth service, so that other people may experience the same enjoyment, friendship, growth and faith that she has found in the BCYS.
BCYS and Walsingham House Co-Chaplain - Fr Daniel Mason
Fr Dan was born in Dollis Hill in North West London but both of his parents were born in Essex, his dad in Gidea Park and his mum in Hornchurch. After growing up in Hertfordshire and in Somerset, Fr Dan saw the light and, like the prodigal son in the gospel, went back to his roots to study Philosophy and Politics at the University of Essex.
At university Fr Dan was involved in the student Catholic Society and started to think seriously about whether God was calling him to be a priest. It was on pilgrimage to Lourdes, praying in front of the grotto, that Fr Dan made the decision to try his vocation as a student for the priesthood. After being accepted by Bishop Thomas, he was first sent to Oscott College in Birmingham for three years and then finished off his studies at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. After a year spent as a deacon in the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead (where he had to get used to being called “Deacon Dan” for a whole year!) Fr Dan was ordained a priest in the Chapel of New Hall School, Chelmsford on June 7th, 2003.
After ordination Fr Dan was appointed as an Assistant Priest at Brentwood Cathedral for four years before moving to St Antony’s, Forest Gate. In June 2009 the Bishop appointed Fr Dan to take over from Fr Dominic as Youth Chaplain and to work in the Catholic Parish of the Royal Docks alongside Monsignor John Armitage.
BCYS and Walsingham House Co-Chaplain - Fr Dominic Howarth
Fr Dominic was ordained Priest at St Joseph the Worker, Hutton, in 2002. He was born in West London (which explains why he supports QPR!) but became an Essex Man from the age of 16 months. Fr Dominic lived for many years in Hutton, near Brentwood. He left Essex to go to University (Oxford) and then he travelled the world, and particularly enjoyed time in Kenya and India. Coming back to the Diocese, he worked at Walsingham House for two years, and from 1996-2002 he trained to be a Priest in Rome. His specialisation there was Moral Theology, in particular issues of social justice in the workplace. Fr Dominic likes swimming, the cinema and the theatre.
Fr Dominic lived at Walsingham House from 2004 - 2008 and continued to serve as Chaplain & Director of the Youth Service while serving as Assistant Priest in Basildon. In September 2009, Fr Dominic stepped down as Director but will remain as Chaplain for another year, serving alongside newly appointed Youth Service Chaplain, Fr Dan Mason (see above).
His favourite quote is from St Francis de Sales:
"Be who you are. Be it well. And all for the glory of God!"
BCYS Support Team
Administrator - Suzanne Reeves
Suzanne joined the Youth Service in February 2007 when Eileen Lawson retired after almost 25 years. She is married to Glen and lives in Billericay. They have two children who attend St Peter’s RC School in Billericay.
Suzanne was born in Camden, North London. She attended Maria Fidelis Convent School and worked in London before meeting Glen and moving to deepest, darkest Essex.
Suzanne was inspired to join the Youth Service team after witnessing one of their fundraising events, the Joint Schools Concerts, held at the Brentwood Centre each Christmas. At the time Suzanne was a mother of one of the participants, the next year she was helping to organise the event! It is her ardent hope that her own children will be part of the Youth Service when they are older and enjoy the friendship, faith and fun the Youth Service represents.
Suzanne accompanied the pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2008 citing this as one of the most thought provoking and inspirational experiences she had witnessed.
Suzanne and her family are currently looking forward to visiting her best friend, who emigrated to New Zealand six years ago, later in the year.
Volunteer Fundraiser - Jane McAuliffe
Jane has worked for the BCYS for the last two years as our Fundraiser, but has really turned her hand to “all things financial”, really helping the BCYS to make the most of our resources. She volunteers for us for 3 days a week, and besides helping the BCYS, she is also actively involved in her parish, St Vincent’s, Becontree.
Walsingham House Support Team
Administrator - Kylie Burns
Kylie has worked as the Administrator at Walsingham House for the past five years. Besides being the cheerful voice at the end of the phone, Kylie is a busy Mum, married to Andrew, with two teenage daughters who she adores and loves to spend time with. Kylie says that “the best part of working at Walsingham House is working with the volunteer teams – each year is different.”
Please visit the Walsingham House Team page for more information on the current team there as well as the Director, Sarah Beresford and Assistant Director, Jon Cornwall.
Youth Leadership Team
The BCYS is very lucky to have a dedicated group of young leaders from across the Diocese. In many cases they have been part of youth service events, particularly the Lourdes trips, since they were 15. Now still firm friends with those their age, they have remained a vital part of the BCYS, since on reaching 19 they have made the choice to help other young people. As leaders, they also continue to have a great time!
The BCYA (Brentwood Catholic Young Adults) exists to offer events targetted at those aged 18+ so that leaders too have an opportunity for fellowship without the usual responsibilities associated with leading young people. For more information on the BCYA, check out our BCYA pages.
If you are 19-30, and would like to become a BCYS leader, you are very welcome. Please contact Sarah.