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?
We have youth groups right across the Diocese that you can join and connect with.
Youth groups include prayer, formation, talks, retreats, festivals, worship and outreach opportunities. A number of parishes have thriving youth ministry programs that gather on a regular basis. Some even foster the best of their local musicians and provide music for a youth-led mass.
Leadership in youth ministry is a wonderful way to express our God-given talents. It calls forth the gifts of young people, empowering and supporting them in ministry to their peers and wider community. It also provides opportunities for adults to gain skills and experience in mentoring youth.
Today, many young people want to serve, and others are willing to take a chance to make the world a better place. Leaders and older members of the Church must continue to listen to and benefit from the many graces of youth, supporting them to discern their vocation and identify their call in the world, within communities where they are safe, nurtured and respected.
Whilst the Parish should be the centre of the engagement of young people, the Diocese supports them with a broader network of like-minded individuals when it might seem like they are small in number or working in isolation. Here, they can share their hopes and dreams for youth ministry in their communities. During the year Youth Ministers and Leaders from across the Diocese come together on retreat. This is where they ‘fill their cup’ and are formed for their own roles as witnesses to young people in their community.
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, young people will travel with Bishop Michael to Melbourne for the next ACYF when over 10,000 young people will share 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.
