Youth Ministers ready to explore new frontiers
New and returning Archdiocesan Youth Ministers have taken part in a three day induction at St Christopher’s Pastoral Centre this week.
The induction helps train, form and equip the 25 youth ministers for their year of mission in parishes and schools across the Archdiocese.
Liarna Miller, 18, is in her first year of youth ministry and will be serving Carroll College Broulee, St Bernard’s Primary School and parish in Batehaven.
“I am looking forward to making a connection with the young people in my community and to be able to help them explore their faith and bring them a little bit of hope,” she said.
Gerard Teng, 23, has been a youth minister for six years and said that being a youth minster reaffirms his faith and he wants to continue doing what he loves.
“I have always loved going on mission trips and volunteering, and when an opportunity came up to be a youth minister I jumped at the chance,” he said.
Liarna Miller and Gerard Teng at the Youth Ministers Induction 2021
“I believe God has provided me with every opportunity that I have been given, and I want to share my experience and make younger students aware of the work that God does without us even knowing it.”
Gerard and Liarna both said that the induction helps them better understand their roles and allows them to build connections.
“The induction is very helpful with guidelines and getting to know the team, and knowing that we have support if we need it,” Gerard said.
The induction was led by Archdiocesan and Catholic Education leaders, with key representatives and guest speakers including Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Fr Tony Percy VG, Archdiocesan clergy, Catholic Education Child Protection Manager Lachlan Ellis and doctoral student in psychology Chloe Kelly.
Congratulations to all the Youth Ministers. Your work in schools and parishes is truly valuable. I suspect your role may also provide a lovely link between school and parish which at times seems to be a bit tenuous or hard to see. I hope 2021 is a special year for you all!
It’s time to consider what we can do for people who have lost their homes in Ukraine. We worked well to help families that were forced out of their homes in Vietnam and Poland. We were able to find homes for them in Australia and help them find friendship in our cities and towns.
We can form an informal committee to just think about what we can do. We can’t do it quickly, but every day we do nothing will be a sad day for families who we might have supported.
Please spread the message around your parishes.