By Joshua Low & Anita Parker
The second Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention (ACYMC) was held from the September 21-23 at the Campbelltown Catholic Club in New South Wales, with those involved in youth ministry from around Australia coming to participate.
Approximately 350 youth leaders gathered with religious and bishops throughout the three day convention.
The convention covered a wide range of issues which young people face in today’s society, as well as in depth information on youth ministry and the running of successful youth programs and also saw the launch of the Australian Catholic Youth festival, which is to be held in Melbourne next year.
Twenty representatives from Western Australia travelled to ACYMC to take part in the event, which provided several plenaries and workshops by several notable figures in the Catholic faith community throughout Australia, including Bishop Anthony Fisher of Parramatta and Sr Hilda Scott OSB of the Benedictine Abbey in Jamberoo.
“This convention is a key training ground for youth leaders, priests, religious and teachers helping to guide young people in their faith journey. It’s such an energising gathering of passionate youth ministers from around the country who share a common mission in the Church,” said Anita Parker, Director of Catholic Youth Ministry in Perth.
“There are so many great resources and ideas to be shared in how we can continue to build the ‘young heart’ of the Church in Australia.”
The launch of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) was part of a formal dinner on the Friday night at the convention where special guest Fr Rob Galea performed his music for the 350 guests and had the bishops dancing to One Direction’s song ‘What makes you beautiful’ mashed up with the praise and worship song ‘Trading my sorrows’.
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival is targeted to gather 4,000 Australian Catholic youth from Year 9 students to 25 years of age in Melbourne from December 5-7, 2013.
It is anticipated to be the largest national gathering of Catholic youth since WYD Sydney 2008.
It will be a festival of fun, music talks, workshops, service and activities celebrating the young heart of the Church.
The theme of the convention was to break open the message of the National Vision document for Youth Ministry in Australia Anointed and Sent.
A theme song was written by local musicians, the keynote presenters shared their ministry ideas on the goals of youth ministry, and at the final liturgy all youth ministers were given a blessed jar of oil to remind them that they are Anointed and Sent to teach the Good News to the youth of Australia.
Members of the West Australian group who made the trip over to Campbelltown described the convention as an amazing and unforgettable experience, and one which they hope to encounter again in the next Catholic Youth Ministry Convention to be held in 2014.
For information on upcoming national youth events go to youthministry.catholic.org.au or youthfestival.catholic.org.au.