A REAL “first” is being celebrated in the Passionist congregation as it is set to “make a difference” to youth ministry in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Last month provincial superior Fr Joachim Rego and the congregation’s council appointed Brisbane’s Christian Nobleza to “oversee the direction and animation of youth ministry initiatives across the entire province”.
Christian said he “is no stranger to the communities and ministries” he has been assigned to support.
“The work I now undertake with the Passionists and Marist Brothers have really highlighted for me the internationality of the Church,” he said.
“What I’m looking forward to the most in this new role is working across different cultures.
“Our parishes in Marrickville, Sydney, and Endeavour Hills, Melbourne, in particular are very culturally-diverse communities and I think this adds a lot of life and vitality to how faith is expressed and celebrated in these places.”
Christian said he has been “confronted by people who have said that they don’t believe cultures should mix”.
“I often think that these attitudes come from a place of fear and ignorance and perhaps even for the sake of convenience,” he said.
“But my involvement with the Passionists over the years has shown me that the message of the Gospel often draws us into places and relationships which are noticeable, uncomfortable, inconvenient – and for life – and that’s where the real growing happens.”
Having ministered within the order since 2006, Christian will remain based at the Passionist Monastery, Oxley, in his new role but will be required to travel to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Before beginning his ministry with the Passionists, Christian served as a volunteer youth leader at his “home parish” of Darra-Jindalee, then took up a two-year role as youth ministry co-ordinator for Brisbane East Deanery.
At the beginning of 2009 he moved on to take up new appointments with the Marist Brothers Sydney Province in the areas of youth ministry, vocation promotion and international development.
“My hope is that where the Passionists have a presence, young people will be able to encounter authentic relationships where their faith can grow in ways which are life giving to the world around them,” Christian said.
For more information about involvement in Passionist Youth Ministries contact Christian on 0401 017 144 or email christian.nobleza@passionists.com
