'The truth shall set you free' (John 8:32)

The Fourth Annual Youth Festival organised by the Catholic Youth Services of Southwark and Brentwood was held at Aylesford Priory on Saturday, 7th July 2007. 420 young people attended. The theme of the day was 'The truth shall set you free' to mark the 200th anniversary this year of the abolition of slavery.

Richard Reddie from Set all free spoke about modern day slavery.

The many activities included sport, drama, music, creative glass painting, clay sculpting, banner making and the opportunity to express the theme through graffiti art.

The main groups from Southwark came from:

Our Lady Immaculate, Tolworth
Christchurch, Eltham
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Hythe
St John the Baptist, Purley
Our Lady of the Rosary, Hayes
St Lawrence of Canterbury, Sidcup
St Joseph, Roehampton
St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill
Virgo Fidelis, Upper Norwood
St Anthony of Padua, Anerley
Sacred Heart, Wimbledon and
Holy Cross, Catford.

Other smaller groups came from around the diocese.

The day ended with Mass. Bishop Kieran Conry from Arundel and Brighton was principal concelebrant. Southwark priests who concelebrated the Mass included Father Geoff Munnery (Chaplain: Southwark Catholic Youth Service), Father John O'Toole (Christian Education Centre) and Father Brendan McQuillan.

CAFOD released 200 helium balloons with prayers and hopes attached to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.