AFTER 10 years looking after the spiritual needs of young adult Catholics, the Brisbane Archdiocesan Young Adult Ministry office has closed.
About 300 people gathered at St Stephen’s Cathedral on December 5 for the ministry’s last monthly Mass which had catered for the needs of Brisbane’s married or single young adults in their 20s and 30s.
Archdiocesan Moderator, Fr Peter Meneely, who presided at the Mass, said the Archdiocesan Young Adult Ministry office, which was part of Brisbane Catholic Education, had been an important part of the archdiocesan Catholic community for the past 10 years.
‘But while the archdiocese will continue to support the young adults within the Church, sadly, it can no longer have a separate Young Adult Ministry and the current journey of the office has come to an end,’ he said.
He gave thanks for the people who had worked in the office during the past 10 years, those who had worked with them, and especially the people who had assisted with the organisation of the final Mass.
‘We rejoice for all those who shared your path with them, prayed, laughed and cried with them and all who have benefited from their work,” Fr Meneely said.
‘As we experience the pain of this office closure, and the uncertainty of change, may we feel the presence of your love and the support of your guiding hand.’
Fr Meneely also asked the congregation to pray a special blessing over Young Adult Ministry co-ordinators Julie Moran and Madonna Botting.
Ministry to young adults in the archdiocese will be looked after through a new vicariate called Faith and Life.
