VISITING Melbourne priest, Fr Dan Benedetti of the Missionaries of God’s Love, was a huge hit as guest speaker at various dynamic faith opportunities for young people in mid-September.
Hosted by Brisbane’s East Deanery, his four-day schedule consisted of two youth Masses, a high-school aged event, young adult retreat, a seminar on evangelisation and a reflection day for all involved in youth ministry.
Themed, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death then Christ will shine on you” based on Ephesians 5:14, organiser and youth ministry co-ordinator Christian Nobleza said he was “particularly keen on getting Fr Dan up to Brisbane”.
“Having met him as well as other Missionaries of God’s Love over the past few years, I knew that they could make a significant contribution to youth ministry in the deanery, particularly as we prepare towards World Youth Day next year,” Christian said.
The various opportunities of the week provided young people with the chance to “realise that faith and Church isn’t boring, untrue and irrelevant”.
A constant message coming quite strongly through all of what Fr Dan had to share with the young people was a particular quote from the late Pope John Paul II, that ‘It’s particularly hard being a young person in the world today, but you can do it’.”
Founded in 1986, the Missionaries of God’s Love is an order of priests, religious brothers and sisters with a mission to young people especially.
For more information about youth ministry in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane contact Christian on 0401 017 144 or email youth.edeanery@bne.catholic.net.au
