A three day weekend at the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention in Melbourne has reinvigorated hundreds of youth ministers from around the nation, including 21 delegates from Western Australia.
Presenters came from the United States and around Australia to help shape the vision and direction of youth ministry in Australia, share resources, skills and networks for youth ministers.
Malcolm Hart, Senior Youth Ministry Projects Officer for the BCPL, said: “The ACYMC was a huge success. A significant event in the life of the Church and for the youth ministry community in Australia.”
The convention brought together 390 youth ministers from around the nation. The delegates came from youth ministry in schools, parishes, communities, movements and dioceses from Australia and New Zealand.
WA’s delegates came from Perth, Broome, Bunbury and Busselton.
The West Australians had a major role to play in the conference, with Perth’s Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Ministry director Anita Parker co-presenting a workshop at the convention covering ‘Online Youth Ministry’.
“Our engagement with young people through the internet is an issue that the Holy Father has highlighted as a need for today’s culture. As youth ministers, we are called to develop resources and provide information to young people on how to connect with God and our faith online through safe practices and engaging resources,” Miss Parker said.
The young people from Western Australia were quite involved throughout the conference and showcased the West at a National level. Simon Martino, a teacher from Newman College, was an MC throughout the conference. Sophie Stewart, a Year 11 Student from Perth assisted Australian Young Christian Students (YCS) coordinator Vicky Burrows in co-presenting a workshop from the YCS perspective of listening to young people. Ronan McGinniss from Youth Impact engaged leaders in a workshop on bringing the Gospel message to young people.
A strong component of the convention was the link of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference with youth ministers from around the nation. Apostolic Nuncio to Australia Archbishop Giuseppe Lazarotto, Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart, Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Darwin Bishop Eugene Hurley, Sandhurst Bishop Joseph Grech and ACBC President Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide who taught, prayed and mentored the youth ministers throughout the three days were inspired to see the large crowds gathered and the enthusiasm of the youth ministers.
“You are the ones who support the young heart of the Church. Your role is important and the Bishops of Australia want to continue to support you in this ministry,” said Bishop Hurley, BCPL chairman.
Dr Bob McCarty, executive director of the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) in the US, and his wife Maggie McCarty shared over 28 years of youth ministry experience with the Australian delegates.
They covered ‘Foundational and Inspirational Youth Ministry’, outlining the aspects of the changing Church landscape which requires youth ministers to adapt their approaches in bringing young people the message of Christ.
On the final day, Bishop Grech, the Bishops’ delegate for youth, commissioned the conference participants to spread the Gospel message throughout Australia.
“You must take the passion you have for Christ in your lives to the young people of the Church. You are to ground yourselves in the scriptures and God has called each of you to an important ministry in the Church,” the Maltese-born prelate said.
Brisbane Archdiocesan youth ministry worker Christine Anderson said that the content and process was “both exhilarating and challenging and overall leaves me excited and hopeful for the future of the Church and youth ministry.”
A major feature of the conference was the accessibility for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. A small team of AUSLAN interpreters were able to translate keynote speakers and workshops for those delegates who required this accessibility. The resources being developed from the conference will include DVDs with vision of both the speakers and the AUSLAN interpreters available as youth ministry resources for the deaf and hard of hearing community. The Bishops and many young people commented on this amazing ministry, which was inspiring to those who attended.