These initiatives are underpinned by the goals of the ACBC Office for Youth document, "Anointed and Sent."
- To foster the personal and spiritual growth of each young person
- To draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community
- To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
The DCMYP envisioned the following initiatives: Sacred@Seven, Pints with a Purpose and Thread Days. They have been key drivers in the support of pilgrimages to World Youth Day and the Australian Catholic Youth Festival.
With the support of the diocese, the DCMYP advocated for the employment of a Mission & Outreach Support Officer to support their work and a Young Christian Students Worker to support the introduction of the Young Christian Students Movement (YCS) in our high schools.
The DCMYP meet monthly on the fourth Thursday of the month. In order to navigate the “new normal” in 2020 the DCMYP were able to meet virtually via zoom. This was quite beneficial in that it allowed more participation for council members from different deaneries. From the monthly meetings the DCMYP were able to modify events by holding Pints with a Purpose via zoom and in doing so; they were able to connect with speakers from across the country and engage people from different parts of the diocese. In a similar way Sacred@Seven was modified by offering Live streaming from St Therese’s, New Lambton, through the MN Catholic Youth FB page.
The DCMYP identified the need for more social gatherings (in a COVID-19-safe way) as a result of many people feeling isolated and missing face to face interactions. Following from Sacred@Seven the event continues at Wests New Lambton, where people gather for dinner or supper and a chat. There have also been picnics, bush walks to Glenrock Lagoon and more to come in 2021.
The DCMYP are currently seeking expressions of interests to join the council in 2021. The council are both an advisory and action- oriented team who help develop, plan, strategise and organise oppourtunities for young people to connect with other young people and offer them safe spaces to explore and develop in faith; and be empowered to be missionary disciples.
It is indeed a new year and we cannot know for certain what this year will bring but the DCMYP are united in their mission and passion for young people to live their best, most fulfilling and joy filled lives. It is our hope that young people experience the fullness of life through faith, in relationship with each other and through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As St Catherine of Sienna asserts: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.
For more information on joining the DCMYP or on our events please contact Mary-Anne de Luca.
Mobile: 0409 077 373
Email: Mary-Anne.DeLuca@mn.catholic.org.au
If you would like to be part of the Diocesan Lenten Program in preparation for the upcoming Synod, please do not hesitate to contact me.
