MISSIONARIES of God’s Love founder and moderator, Fr Ken Barker, met young people from Darra-Jindalee Parish after the monthly youth Mass on June 27.
During the Mass at the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Jindalee, parishioners marked the end of the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal.
The parish’s youth group collected more than 500 tins of soup and 100 pairs of pyjamas, along with blankets, doonas and cash, for distribution to the elderly, underprivileged and homeless.
Chris Hall, representing St Vincent de Paul’s Family Support Centre in Inala, attended the Mass and accepted the donations on behalf of the people who will receive it.
Dominican Father Mike Champlin from the United States, who was relieving for parish priest Daniel Carroll, celebrated the Mass.
After pizza and Coke, Missionaries of God’s Love Fr Ken Barker, who is involved in evangelisation and spiritual renewal mainly among young people, led an evening of faith sharing.
The Missionaries of God’s Love is a congregation of priests, brothers and sisters working as missionaries in Australia, Kenya, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and the Phillipines, who focus on youth issues.
Fr Barker spoke to the group about ‘becoming fire’ and explored the themes of understanding young people’s role in renewing the Church.
Darra-Jindalee youth leader Christian Nobleza said: ‘It isn’t that often we have an international speaker visit the parish.
‘He [Fr Barker] explored the themes of how God is empowering us for work in the Church, raising up heroic men and women to envangelise in his name.’
He said the young people were inspired after listening to Fr Barker’s faith sharing.