June update: Time to celebrate

Youth Leader Update 21/06/18

www.cam.org.au/youth

Celebrating the Year of Youth 2018 - click HERE for more information

Dear Youth Leader,

This month we are taking a step back from exploring our Anointed and Sent focus areas and being a little reflective. We want to encourage youth leaders and parishes to take stock and celebrate their achievements in Youth Ministry. Next month marks the ten year anniversary of World Youth Day in Sydney 2008 and we are striving to recapture the joy, enthusiasm and hope of WYD08 with a series of resources (more information below).

We also have two important formation opportunities for all youth leaders. First is our LEAD Workshop Day (formerly Blueprint) which is being held on Saturday 21 July. LEAD is an opportunity to learn new skills and techniques to assist you in your ministry. We encourage all leaders to join in this workshop day. Please also see below for details about the upcoming Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention (ACYMC) which is a national formation event. The AOY is offering limited subsidies to enable leaders to attend. We encourage leaders to apply early and join us in Parramatta!

God Bless,
The AOY team

We are encouraging and highlighting the importance of reflecting on achievements to motivate yourself and your group. It is also a way to thank and give Glory to God for the work He has done through us. We’ve put together a few tips on ways to celebrate the wins!

With Your Youth Group

Do you know when your youth group was formed? Have you celebrated its birthday? Why not have an annual celebration for your group and share with each other what makes the group important.
Do you honour the work of leaders and key stake holders in the group? Some leaders have put a lot of effort in and a simple home-made badge/trophy/certificate could be awarded in your group.

With Your Community

Your parish and/or movement is part of your support network. They love knowing what you are up to. When you have run a fabulous camp or retreat, do you share this with your community? Why not put together a quick two minute presentation at Mass with a short testimony to tell the parish about it? You could also write up a little note for the parish bulletin to share your successes.

With your socials and online

This year marks 30 years of NET (National Evangelisation Team) in Australia and they’ve been posting some amazing photos of teams from the past 30 years. Celebrating with images and videos can be a great vehicle for memories!
The AOY has put together a series of reflection videos to celebrate the 1 0 year anniversary of World Youth Day in Sydney. These videos are designed to be shared across social media along with a range of archived images from the event.

Resources celebrating WYD Sydney 2008
The AOY has put together some resources to help parishes and youth groups celebrate the 10 year anniversary of WYD08. Our resources include tips for ways you can celebrate as well as videos you can download and some Intercessory Prayers that can be used in your Masses on either 15 or 22 July (the World Youth Day Opening Mass was 15 July 2008 and the WYD Mass was 20 July!). Check it all out HERE

LEAD – Registrations closing soon!

Please note that Saturday 21 July is the date for the LEAD Workshop Day (formerly Blueprint). It is the AOY’s annual training day, equipping those working or volunteering in youth ministry with skills to effectively evangelise young people. The day includes a keynote presentation, workshops options for entry level and experienced youth ministers, networking opportunities and a delicious morning tea and lunch! Cost is $10 and includes a resource valued at $25! Registration is essential and closes on 12 July. More details and registration HERE

Pre-Synodonal Meeting

If you receive our newsletter, The Word, you may have read about Angela Markas. Angela was the official Australian Catholic Bishops Conference delegate to the gathering of young people at the Vatican prior to the Synod of Bishops on “Young People”. You can watch her speech HERE and read her presentation HERE. A final document was produced from the week of discussions and presentations. Titled “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment,” it is available for download and recommended to read HERE

Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention – Apply for $200 subsidies

The ACYMC provides high-quality formation and training for those engaged in youth ministry across Australia. It brings together all those who are engaged in ministry with young people in a Catholic setting from schools, parishes, dioceses, movements, religious orders, communities, universities, vocations offices and social service organisations.

The AOY sees this as a great formation opportunity and is offering a limited number of $200 subsidies, which will go towards the cost of registration. Apply now via our website. Details and the application form can be found HERE, just scroll down a little!

Chosen (12-15 July)

The Chosen National Youth Conference is being held in Melbourne and brings together young people aged 18-30 from all walks of life celebrating Jesus. This is a great formation opportunity for leaders and young adults. With an array of highly sought after international and local speakers coupled with award winning music bands, the conference is not to be missed. All details HERE

Other Bits 'N' Pieces

Six30 Holy Hour – every Thursday night from 6.30pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Details HERE

The Melbourne Archdiocese has a range of positions available at the moment, details HERE

Mass for Young Adults (18 July)
Monthly at St Peters and Pauls, South Melbourne. Details HERE

The Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry are looking for volunteers to undertake training to assist them in their ministry of showing compassion in times of crisis and supporting community during and after emergencies such as bush fires.Details HERE

Paid presenters needed! The Jewish, Christian, Muslim Association of Victoria (JCMA) run workshop days for schools, where representatives from each faith share their personal journey and engage with students. They require more Christian presenters. If you are interested in helping, email HERE or visit HERE for more information.

Theology of the Body course: God, Sex and Life. 10-week course at St Benedict’s, Burwood commencing on 10 June. Details HERE

FAQs of Faith presented by YUM (30 June) Have you got questions about faith? Come along and get some answers! Panel featuring Bishop Mark Edwards OMI and other speakers. Details HERE

Pilgrimage from St Anthony's, Glen Huntly to St Aloysius, Caulfield (June 30). In honour of the jubilee year of St Aloysius. Details HERE

iStand Weekend (29 June – 1 July) Weekend run by YMT Melbourne filled with games, dramas, sport, prayer, good food, live music, testimonies and talks for school years 9-12. Details HERE

Don Bosco Winter Camps - Junior Camp 2-5 July for 9-13 years and Senior Camp 9-12 July for 13-16 years. Details HERE

Young Vinnies Movie Night Fundraiser (29 July) at Holy Eucharist Parish, St Albans. Details HERE

Women's Retreat :Melbourne Heart of Love (9 July) Enjoy a powerful retreat with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Free event. Details HERE

T@P July - Apologetics 101: Seven Truths of the Church You Must Know To Defend Your Faith (9 July) with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. Full details HERE

The Big Q Conference (21 July) The Dominican Friars of Melbourne are holding a symposium of short talks from seven Friars. More details HERE

The Vinnies Social Extravaganza (25 Aug) Young Vinnies are hosting a social night of fun at the Melba Speigletent. All welcome. Details HERE.

After more AOY events - see our calendar HERE