Junior pastoral conference in Tullamore today

Local organisers are set today for the third national parish youth conference, set to take place in St Mary's Youth and Community Centre in Tullamore. The theme of this year's conference is "Our Faith, Let's Celebrate". The conference has been organised by Ciara Molloy, and speakers on the day will include Bishop Kieran O'Reilly, Andrew O'Connell and Nicola Marshall. Nicola travels from London for the event, and will share her experience of youth ministry and Youth Alpha, which has been running in Ireland since last September. Leaving Cert student at Tullamore College Michelle Molloy will also speak, as will Hannah Evans from Trocaire and Ger Brennan. Gerard Gallagher, who has worked since 1994 with Catholic Youth Care in Dublin and wrote the book "Are We Losing the Young Church?" will also attend the event, which will be facilitated by Will Faulkner from Midlands 103. Tullamore Junior Parish Pastoral Council was founded in September 2006 and since then has grown from about 18 members to a current council with over 27 members from secondary schools in Tullamore and Kilbeggan. Registration for today's event, which costs €5, began at 9am and the event will conclude at 5pm. More information is available from www.tullamoreparish.ie.