SUNNYBANK Area Youth (SAY) have relaunched their youth ministry program under a new name – Dimensions Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
Interest in the youth ministry program, which had been at the cutting edge of youth ministry in Brisbane archdiocese for some time, had been declining since the beginning of this year.
After consultation between young people in the area, it was decided to re-invigorate the program and incorporate young people from Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Acacia Ridge, now being administered by Sunnybank parish priest Fr Ray Kearney.
Sunnybank youth group co-ordinator Paul Catchlove said the aim was to bring together youth and young adult members of the two parish communities to experience, proclaim and celebrate the richness of Catholic tradition and spirit in their lives.
Paul said it was evident the youth ministry program – once a group for high school aged youth (12-18 years) – had evolved and now included young adults and young married couples.
‘It was also felt by many of them that the youth group was a little exclusive, and did not incorporate Our Lady of Fatima Parish,’ he said.
‘A number of people felt that they no longer belonged, while at the same time they saw no group or other avenue which they could to join.’
He said the idea of a new direction was thrown around and on August 13 the launch of the new youth and young adult ministry program was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Sunnybank.
Mr Catchlove said the parish had been blessed with a series of gifted and talented youth ministry co-ordinators in Rodger Carter, Andrew Beiers and Damien and Susan Gambley, who were able to bring focus to the skills and enthusiasm of the youth with whom they worked.
‘This saw the lay apostolate really thrive here in the parish,’ he said.
However, he said, as with any group, it was the challenge of people co-ordinating the youth group to continue to stoke the fire of passion within the hearts of those involved.
The new youth ministry kicked off with a Firestarter night on August 28, organised by Emmanuel Youth Outreach and further events were planned in the future.
For more information about Dimensions Youth and Young Adult Ministries e-mail pwc@bigpond.net.au or phone Paul Catchlove on (07) 3344 3393.
