Catholic Deanery of Eastbourne and St Leonards

Youth Focus



St Mary Star of the Sea, Hastings, a mural of this year’s First Communion Candidates named on fish

Some of our Youth who attended Flame 2025 with their spiritual leader Fr Ian Byrnes

First Communion children receiving certificates at St Joachim in Hampden Park, Eastbourne

The Our Lady of the Holy Rosary , Bexhill, Confirmation Candidates with Bishop Richard at Arundel

The Lumen Christi , Eastbourne Churches Confirmation Candidates with Bishop Richard at Arundel

Click the images here for a large version. These photos were kindly supplied. If we have inadvertently published any in error, please let us know.

Celebrating First Communion, Confirmation, and New Beginnings

Since Easter, our deanery has been truly blessed. Across our parishes, over 150 children received their First Holy Communion, and several older youths were Baptised, having made the courageous decision to come to the faith of their own accord. These celebrations are powerful signs of God’s grace at work and a joyful reflection of our own quiet revival in our deanery.

The First Holy Communion celebrations took place in our deanery parishes between Sunday 11 May and Sunday 21 June, filling our churches with joy, reverence and the wonder of children encountering Christ in the Eucharist for the very first time.

Further, over 80 young people were Confirmed—the majority at a beautiful service led by our Bishop in Arundel Cathedral on Saturday 3 May, and a handful receiving the Sacrament locally. These young people, supported by their families and catechists, have taken a bold step in owning their faith and opening their hearts more fully to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Please continue to pray for these young people, their families, and the catechists who have faithfully journeyed with them. Their spiritual growth and continued formation remain vital as they deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church.

Applications to receive the Sacraments including Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation in 2026 will open in Autumn. More details will be available in parish newsletters and on parish websites from September.

Looking Back: FLAME 2025—A Day of Faith, Joy, and Inspiration

Over eighty young people and their leaders from our deanery joined ten thousand others at Wembley Arena on March 15 for FLAME 2025, the largest Catholic youth event in the UK. This biennial gathering was a powerful celebration of faith, filled with energy, music, and deep moments of prayer.

Our young pilgrims had a truly wonderful day. Highlights included performances by One Hope Project and Adenike, alongside stirring testimonies and worship. The keynote speaker, Bear Grylls, inspired the arena with his personal witness to faith, courage, and resilience. He also generously gave every attendee a copy of his new book, The Greatest Story Ever Told—a gesture that was warmly received by all.

This experience was more than just an event—it was a vibrant reminder of the strength and beauty of our Catholic faith lived out in community.
Let us continue to pray for our young people—those who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation, and those who joined the vibrant pilgrimage to FLAME 2025. May the joy and grace they encountered, whether in the quiet of parish life or in the energy of Wembley Arena, remain with them, encouraging them to grow ever deeper in love and service of Christ.

Image of Flame 2025 on the front page by Mazur © Mazur/CBCEW


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