TWENTY people for the Western Hills Antioch group in Brisbane were commissioned during a youth Mass at St William’s Church Grovely on June 22.
The purpose of the commissioning ceremony was to introduce the Antioch leaders and their team to the parish and ask parishioners for their prayers and support.
Parent couples Peter and Tricia McDade and Ruth and Michael Johnstone were commissioned first, followed by Antioch le
aders Katey O’Brien and Luke Johnstone and a team of 14 young people.
Antioch is a Christian youth movement aimed at young people aged from 15-21 to help them grow in love and faith in a community of peace and trust.
Team leader Katey O’Brien said being a member of an Antioch group had helped her grow both mentally and spiritually.
‘I have been in Antioch for two and a half years and I have gained so much,’ she said. ‘The main thing is that my faith in Christ has grown so strong from the experiences I have at Antioch on a weekly basis. Antioch has helped me grow and helped me mature and I think it has made me more confident as well.’
Katey said she decided to become a leader because she thought it would be ‘really rewarding’ to help assist other young Catholics in their faith journey. ‘It’s also going to be a great learning experience.’
Team members Luke Elford, Sarah Simpson and Jorjia Orreal had different reasons for joining the group but all agreed being part of the group was a positive experience.
‘I think it has made me a better person and has really developed my spiritual faith,’ Luke said.
‘I thought it would be a good experience to help others on their faith journey,’ Sarah said.
‘I thought it would be a chance to meet new people and try something new that would be good for my development as a person,’ Jorjia said.
The group will hold an Antioch weekend on August 8-10.
For more information phone Katey O’Brien on (07) 3351 1801 or Luke Johnston on (07) 3354 3506.
