Meet Young People
Young people are the 'here and now of the Church'.
Are you looking to deepen your faith, make friends and get involved in the community?
ALIVE Catholic Youth Maitland-Newcastle
ALIVE Catholic Youth is launching May 2026!
First, a visible opportunity for young people of all ages, locations, and walks of life to engage meaningfully with Christ and their faith; second, a clear sense of belonging and identity with the Church in this Diocese and with each other, forming lasting friendships and developing as missionary disciples.
ALIVE will feature three flagship events – beginning with the ALIVE Launch, followed by the ALIVE Youth Retreat and Young Adult (YA) Retreat later in the year – as well as grassroots initiatives.
On Sun 24 May, 2-5pm at the Factory Theatre in Adamstown, we will welcome all to experience the ALIVE Launch – a taste of what ALIVE will be like, and an invitation to engage with its future!
The Mission & Evangelisation team is also supporting parishes in developing youth ministry pathways – that young adults, primary school students and high school students might all have concrete opportunities to find friendships, opportunities for encounter, and meaningful formation as missionary disciples. See below for the current offerings in the Diocese.
Youth groups
Young adult groups
Keen to get involved in your local youth group
- MacKillop Young Adults: every Friday night, 6:30pm, 7 Milson St, MacKillop Parish Hub, Charlestown; see @mackillopya on Instagram
- EPIC Youth: Quote from Jonathan McCallum; see @epicnewcastle
- Wallsend-Shortland: young adult group first Sunday of the month; 3rd Sunday of the month, “Ask A Priest”; St Patrick’s Church Wallsend
Leadership opportunities
Want to make a difference? Want to empower young people to come ALIVE in their faith?
Pilgrimages
Another offering every few years is the opportunity to journey on pilgrimage to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival or to World Youth Day.
In 2025, almost 100 young people travelled with Bishop Michael to Melbourne for ACYF when over 6,000 young people shared their faith from across the country together. In 2027, young people will do the same as we journey with the youth of the world to the next World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea.
Check with your local parish what is on offer or contact Mission & Evangelisation.
