to respond to the needs of Catholics in their 30s. This was then extended to
include groups for those in their 30s as a way of helping us to grow more in
God’s love through one another.



Project 2030 is sponsored by the Sacred Heart Fathers (Dehonians) who take
ultimate responsibility for it in union with the Church at the local, national
and universal level. The Director and Chaplain is Fr Hugh Hanley SCJ, who began
the group. It is open to all Catholics in their 30s and to others who accept
the Catholic ethos.



Other groups can affiliate to Project 2030 if they accept its basic principles.
We are always open to new developments and ideas coming from group members. We
keep asking ‘What do you want to do? How can Project 2030 help you to do that?



There is no formal membership. Anyone in their 30s is welcome to get involved
in groups, events, activities, etc. All you have to do is to request to be on
the mailing list. There is no obligation to attend any specific events, though
the more you get involved the more you will feel that the group belongs to you.
Everyone is equal. There are no formal committees. Everyone's ideas are
important, especially if you can put them into action.



There is no membership fee, but donations are always gratefully received as a
way to supplement the funding that at present comes from the Sacred Heart
Fathers (Dehonians). If you would like to make a contribution to the group, to
help it to continue to reach out to others in their 30s, then send a cheque any
time (made out to ‘Project 2030’) to Project 2030 Office, St Joseph’s
Presbytery, 1 Tatton St, Stockport, SK1 1EJ. As a way of saying thanks we also
raise funds to support the missions in India and poor families there. This is
our designated charity.



There are Thirtysomethings groups in and around Dublin, Glasgow,
Liverpool/Manchester/North Wales and London. We are open to starting up groups
in other areas where there is sufficient interest and demand.



People from other areas, where there are no groups, are welcome to attend
events in the nearest group and to take part in the joint events which are
arranged for all the areas e.g. pilgrimages, holidays, retreats, weekends etc.



The 30s groups work out their own area programme, according to their interests.
This depends on individuals who are prepared to be organising contacts for
meals, walks, retreats, evenings out, cinema, theatre, Masses, talks, etc.
Anyone can suggest an idea, especially if they are able to put it into action.
You can make the group what you want it to be. We try to suit all tastes with
social and spiritual events both of general and minority interest.



Everyone contributes to the sense of belonging in the group by their individual
gifts, by their openness to others and the gift of friendship which welcomes
everyone. No one should feel pressurised to organise anything, but we depend on
those who are able to be diary secretaries, contacts for local events, run the
text reminder service, edit the webpage or magazine, organise larger events,
etc. The generosity of people is remarkable, as well as the sense of community
and looking out for each other. Things are well organised, yet the atmosphere
is informal.



Each of the 30s groups has its own programme of events, which is co-ordinated
by a diary secretary, with the help of Hugh and the Project 2030 Office. Events
can also be suggested at short notice, if they don’t clash. Details of these
will be sent round by the office by email, or by text.



If you would like to organise an event contact the diary secretary for your
area with details. Think of something that you enjoy doing and would like to
have others join you. You can always organise an event along with someone else.




People can also be contacts for their own parish or area. It’s possible to set
up a sub-group in your own local area, as long as everyone is also registered
with the larger group so that they can find out what is happening in other
areas and take part if they wish. At least once a year the sub-group will put
on a larger event which will be open to other people from surrounding areas.



Every year there is a review meeting of each group to look at issues and
direction. In between there are Think-Tank meetings which, again, everyone is
welcome to attend. These look at issues that have arisen, plan for future
programmes, and help maintain the spirit of the group.



At least every two years there is a review meeting with representatives of all
the 30somethings groups to look at common issues and help to move Project 2030
forward.



Project 2030 will continue to welcome new ideas that come from Catholics in
their 30s. As individuals and as a group, we are not defined by what we do now
but by what we can become. We will continue to look for ways to respond to the
needs of people in their 30s inside and outside the group.



Through Project 2030 we build up a sense of community and belonging to the
Church. People become close friends, but we try and avoid being exclusive in
any way. Only in exceptional circumstances would we invite some members of the
group to an event that is not open to everyone. We are grateful for the
benefits that we receive from the group, especially in meeting up with others
of a similar outlook to ourselves, and we want to do all we can so that others
can feel welcomed into the group and enjoy the same benefits that we have.



One of our priorities will always be to do what is best for new people and to
make them feel welcome, so that they know they can make a contribution to the
life and development of the group right from the beginning.



The Thirtysomethings is just for those in their 30s. As people move into their
40s they can join the Fortysomethings, who follow the same basic principles as
the 30s groups. Planning meetings are only open to those in their 30s so that
the younger ones keep ownership of the group. You cannot be a member of both age
groups – you need to commit to one or the other.



There are Twentysomethings groups in each area for those in their 20s. Where
there are Fortysomethings groups the 40s will sometimes invite the 30s to
special events. The Thirtysomethings in their turn can invite the 20s to some
of their special occasions. Project 2030’s priority is always to consider what
is best for the younger people in each age band.



The Thirtysomethings are careful not to encourage those in their late 20s to
join the 30s group too early. We need them to stay and support the younger
Twentysomethings.



We believe that young adults in the Church have a special contribution to make
to our world today. We have chosen to continue as followers of Jesus Christ in
the Catholic Church. The Church wants to listen to their experience and to
learn from them how to move into the future. Where do we want to be in 2030?
What kind of people do we hope to become? Where do we want to be in the year
2030? Where is God leading us in his love?



For further information contact:



Hugh Hanley SCJ, St Joseph’s Presbytery, 1 Tatton Street, St Petersgate,
Stockport, SK1 1EJ



Tel: 0161 476 3234 or hugh@project2030.fsnet.co.uk