Catholic Youth Parramatta News

One Direction – a call to holiness

Catholic Outlook August 2012 Catholic Youth Parramatta News

By Fr Suresh Kumar MSFS, Diocesan Youth Director

The Youth Breakfast with the Bishop series has proved to be a blessing for the young people of our Diocese with almost 140 at the breakfast on 14 July 2012.

The topic, One Direction – a call to holiness, was chosen to help us to explore our call, given by God, and the need to respond.

The day was set well by the fantastic singing by Revive, a youth band from Blessed John XXIII Parish at Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens. Their ability to adapt a song from the group One Direction showcased their talents.

Bishop Anthony introduced Fr Warren Edwards, Vocations Director for our Diocese. The Bishop said he has decided that Fr Warren’s vocation is to be the greatest Vocations Director in the world, with God’s grace, as he strives to bring young men to work in the vineyard of the Lord.

The Bishop invited the gathering to respond to God’s call generously and not to be “perpetual discerners”.

Fr Warren spoke with humour as he invited the young people to consider vocation. His talk was supported by Br Benedict MacKenzie, Sr Julie Brcar and Sr Judy Bowe, who shared the lifestyle and charisms of their congregations.

We thank God for such opportunities to discuss His call, which is unique to each one of us. Certainly God will not make a phone call or send a text message or update your Facebook status as religious. But we can feel the prompting of the Spirit in our hearts. It is up to us if we want to respond to Him.

To find out more about vocations to priesthood in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and religious life contact Fr Warren Edwards vocations@parra.catholic.org.au or visit: www.parra.catholic.org.au/vocations

Diocesan Youth Ministry Resource Day

Resource day.

By Annabelle Bhandoo, Diocesan Youth Worker

Catholic Youth Parramatta held a Diocesan Youth Ministry Resource Day on 30 June 2012 for all youth leaders, leaders in training, those interested in youth ministry and musicians.

There was the opportunity to look through many of the resources available in the Diocesan Youth Office including a library of books, CDs and DVDs.

Fr Andrew Bass, Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese and Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral was the first speaker. He gave a presentation about various forms of music and how to use music to help the congregation enter more deeply in the Sacrament of the Mass.

Appropriate genre and use of music are very important within the liturgy. He showed resources for purchase and others that are free to download.

The other speaker was Alice Bradshaw, who shared her knowledge and experience with the Life Teen’ program, which she has helped to run for many years in St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill.

A yearly subscription to Life Teen gives the youth leader plenty of material to use and follow in the running of their youth group. CYP has a current subscription to Life Teen, which is very user friendly.

The resource day was also an opportunity for leaders to share their youth ministry experiences, to speak about any difficulties they might be facing or have their questions answered either by the guest speakers or by the other youth leaders.

There was plenty of free material for the youth leaders to take home. Youth leaders can borrow the resources from the Diocesan Youth office. For a copy of the resource list, contact CYP tel (02) 8838 3418, youth@parra.catholic.org.au 

Diocesan Youth Mass a source of great blessing

Youth Mass.

Diocesan Youth Masses are a source of blessing and provide opportunities for the young people to give witness to their faith. The CYP office chooses different parishes from various deaneries in order to give a sense of unity and belongingness.

These opportunities open up the parish youth group to exhibit their talents in music, singing and organisation for the greater Glory of God.

On 24 June 2012, the parish of St Andrew the Apostle at Marayong hosted the Youth Mass, which was well attended by young people. There were opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Mass. Thanks to those priests who made themselves available.

Mass began with a melodious singing of the Youthworks! choir. Fr Ron McFarlane, St Andrew’s Parish Priest, was the principal celebrant for the Mass, which was concelebrated by Fr Suresh Kumar MSFS, Fr Luan Le OFM Cap, Fr Jose Manjaly MS and Fr Ed Kenny.

The parishioners generously provided food for the young people after the Mass. During supper, Youthworks! surprised us with the flash mob. It was an amazing display of their talent in dancing and an atmosphere of friendship, unity and love.

Our sincere gratitude to Fr Ron, Fr Jose, Youthworks! and the parish team for organising this event. May God Bless us all.

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