AWARE of God’s presence in her life, Kedron parish youth worker Jess Woodward has taken a new direction.
Late last year she began as MAGiS Ignatian Young Adult Ministry Queensland co-ordinator.
MAGiS is a ministry of the five Ignatian orders in Australia – the Faithful Companions of Jesus, the Sisters of Charity, the Jesuits and the Christian Life Community.
It’s a ministry specifically for young adults from 18 to 30 years and Jess will build on its past success in Toowong parish.
“I will be supporting and growing the existing Brisbane group and connecting them to national and international opportunities with MAGiS,” she said, saying how much the movement has grown since WYD08 in Sydney.
“MAGiS is an international youth movement with groups all around the world but they came to Australia in a big way in 2008 with World Youth Day and there are MAGiS groups in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and now Perth as well.”
Jess said her two-year ministry in Kedron parish helped prepare her for the MAGiS role and its “foundational pillars” resonated with her.
“They say it all for me – fellowship, service and Ignatian spirituality,” she said.
“…To have companionship with other Catholic young people, be aware of God’s presence in their lives and respond selflessly to others through acts of service.”
The 2011 MAGiS national retreat was held late last year at the Sevenhill centre of Ignatian spirituality in South Australia.
“It was great to join with like-minded people from all over Australia,” she said.
“We were called to reflect on the year that had passed and our desires for the year to come.
“It was a great way to experience Ignatian spirituality, prayer and discernment.
“It was wonderful to leave the city behind and just ‘be’ in the beautiful countryside.”
This month, 20 Australian young people including Jess and former Stuartholme College, Toowong, student Ally Lynch, who are representing Brisbane, are taking part in an international immersion.
“We fly into Kolkata (India) and will spend a day with (Blessed) Mother Teresa’s community before taking an overnight train to a remote community where we will be hosted by locals and do what they do,” Jess said.
“The really unique thing about MAGiS immersions is the level of reflection and processing time provided for us.”
In February “MAGiS Sundays” are being planned for the first and third Sundays of the month following the 5pm Mass in Toowong.
For more information take a look at www.magis.org.au
