Extending Youth Ministry into far-flung places

AN IDEA birthed at the announcement of the Year of Youth two years ago is now bearing fruit for regional dioceses around Australia.

Particularly so with a youth team led by the Missionaries of God’s Love (MGL) Sisters travelling to three remote dioceses in 2018.

Three MGL Sisters – Therese Mills, Bernadette Toohey and Amy McCabe, two MGL Brothers – Buddhika Perera and Nelio Dos Reis, as well as five lay young people – Jess Bond, Xavier Direen, Aodhan Kirk, Larissa Lagas and Nathlene Ng, have been based in the Diocese of Townsville since March.

The team has assisted with local youth engagement initiatives and youth leadership training within schools and parishes, with plans to move to the dioceses of Darwin and Port Pirie for three months each for the remainder of 2018.

The Sisters felt inspired to reach into regional dioceses after the announcement of the Year of Youth came amidst the 2015 Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Adelaide.

“Much of our work at the moment takes place in the context of city Youth Ministry, where there are large youth offices and ample opportunities for youth engagement,” Bernadette says.

“We were inspired to reach further afield in the Year of Youth to ensure that youth in the remotest areas of our country receive the opportunity to engage with the life of the Church and know about this year that has been set aside with them in mind.”

Answering the call

A number of lay young men and women have responded to the opportunity to volunteer on the team for nine months, motivated by the opportunity to meet young people in rural parts of our country and participate in the Year of Youth in a meaningful way.

For Aodhan Kirk, 19, the chance to serve within the Church in Australia was a large part of his decision to join the team from his home town of Murrumbateman, NSW.

“After doing missionary work overseas I really had a sense of the need in my own country to bring Jesus to people and the challenge that presents and I got excited about that,” he said.

“The opportunity to see and minister to many parts of the Australian Church within the Year of Youth was something that sat well with me and that I saw as a really awesome opportunity.

“I’d love to see growth and revival in the Church in Australia and see many young people seek Jesus in the context of the Catholic Church.”

The team members are enjoying the opportunity to forge authentic connections and see the Holy Spirit at work in a range of places around Australia.

“We are very aware that the places we visit are each flourishing in their own way and have a uniqueness and giftedness already present,” Therese, who is leading the team says.

“We’re hoping to bring some support and encouragement in partnering with dioceses, parishes, schools and young people in remote areas who are at times isolated from opportunities to connect.”

Connecting with indigenous communities

An important element of the Sisters’ work in each diocese will be connecting with Indigenous young people and communities.

“It is part of our charism that we are drawn to work with our Indigenous brothers and sisters wherever we go,” explains Therese.

The Sisters have previously worked with elders and school students within the Diocese of Townsville and enjoyed the opportunity to return during the Year of Youth.

During their time in the diocese, the team has built strong connections with St Patrick’s College, Townsville, as well as Abergowrie College, Ingham, two boarding schools with Indigenous students from some of the remotest communities in the country.

“It’s been a highlight to work with these young people and engage in the richness of their culture and the depth of their faith and spirituality,” says Therese.

“There’s something very precious about being with these young people and listening to their stories, hopes and struggles.”

Secondary school retreats

The team has also assisted in running secondary school retreat days, working with the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team and offering training and formation for a team of Youth Engagement Officers, who have been selected by the Catholic Education Office to maximise school students’ engagement in the Year of Youth.

The team will be in Townsville to witness the key event for the Year of Youth, a day with US-based singer Jesse Manibusan, which will attract youth from all across the diocese, before travelling by road to Darwin this month to begin ministry there.

The hope of the team, and those with whom they are working, is that a difference will be felt by the contribution they are offering.

“I guess it’s that old adage that if it makes a difference to one person, one group or one youth minister, then we will have met our goal,” reflects Bernadette.

“We’re part of an incarnational faith, so in our experiences so far of coming into someone’s home diocese, parish, school or youth group there’s been an incredible sense of having the opportunity to meet people, walk with them for a while, listen and become connected.

“I’ve felt very changed through those we have met as well.”

The original article was first published by Melbourne Catholic May 2018 edition and is used with permission.