By Emilie Ng
MIXING family time and a vibrant Catholic faith life is no trouble for the Thetadig family.
The Catholic family of eight from the Banyo-Nundah parish is out to show that families lead the best youth groups.
Since 2005, the Thetadigs have been an important part of Banyo-Nundah youth group The Voice, fostering faith among young Catholics.
Mum Rita Thetadig established the parish youth group in October 2005.
Mrs Thetadig didn’t need to look too far for members, with six children eager to share the faith with other young Catholics as part of The Voice youth group.
All six children have been involved in the parish youth group, either lending their voices in the choir, attending youth events or helping in overseas mission trips.
Eldest child Joans is one of the junior youth leaders and helps co-ordinate the youth choir.
Joans said her family had been an integral part of the youth group and her faith journey.
Having grown up in a vibrant and active parish family, she said other families were beginning to be more involved in the Banyo-Nundah parish.
“Other families see us, and are encouraged to bring their families to events,” Joans said.
Young family members, from preschool-aged and even toddlers, are welcome to join in all the youth group events.
“It’s family evangelisation,” Joans said.
The Samoan-Australian family has also extended the youth group’s ministry to include mission projects to their home country.
Group members visited a Catholic college in Samoa after supporting the community financially for a number of years.
The Voice youth group now hopes to bring young people from Samoa and New Zealand to Australia for a Catholic cultural exchange program in 2016.
Fundraising for the 2016 project will begin with the youth group’s annual dance.
Joans said the dinner would encourage people to get “back to their roots”.
Roots festival dance will be held on Saturday, December 6, from 7pm at the Virginia Golf Club, Banyo.
For more information or to buy a ticket contact Joans on 0435 887 812.
