‘Rethinking Spaces’ is this year’s theme for Plexus, organised by the Malta Catholic Youth Network (MCYN). The annual conference will focus on neurodiversity, particularly autism, and on how youth ministry can become more inclusive and reach more young people.
The keynote speaker will be Mark Paine, Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, who has 28 years of experience in primary education and special needs education.
Neurodiversity is no longer a “fringe” issue – it is the living reality of families sitting in every one of our pews. And yet, many people navigating these challenges still find themselves on the margins: overlooked, misunderstood, or simply unseen. Whether it’s the cost of professional support or the honest uncertainty of not knowing how to respond to “different” behaviours, the result is the same – people feel alone in a community that was made for them.
That’s exactly where you come in.
Pope Leo reminds us that genuine peace is built on justice and dignity. We may
not be able to stop wars on the other side of the world, but we have enormous
power over how we treat the person beside us in our shared spaces. Loving the
vulnerable isn’t a lofty ideal; it is our Catholic calling.
Youth leaders told us in our meetings, parish priests mentioned the concern,
and community members have brought the subject – asking how to keep youth
ministry truly open and welcoming, without feeling overwhelmed or ill-equipped
to do it well.
So this year, Plexus is answering that call.
Together, we will bring our real experiences to the table, let the Gospel stretch and challenge us, and walk away with practical tools to lead with greater confidence and compassion. Because the goal isn’t just inclusion as a policy, it is belonging as a culture. Parishes and communities where every young person is genuinely known, warmly welcomed, and unconditionally loved.
This is our commitment. And you are invited to join us on Saturday, 10 October at 8:30am at the Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat.
Plexus is an annual conference open to anyone involved in youth ministry.
For more information and to register, visit mcyn.org/plexus2
