ACYMC

Report

Josh Clayton

In September this year, I was given the opportunity of being able to attend the Australian Catholic Youth Ministers convention. This was possible because of the great generosity of the Cathedral Parish and Fr Pat, who’s financial assistance enabled me to attend.

One of the great things about the conference was the wide range of experience and techniques that were brought together in one place. Whether it was the youth ministers from the Oblates of Mary. Right through to school teachers in Trundle, they came together to discuss, how to reach young people and discuss the importance of knowing a loving and joy filled God.
For me this was a important area that needed to be acknowledged. Speaker after speaker, talked about the importance of showing God as he really is, a God that wants us to know his love, but also to be joyful and happy.

Fr Rob, and God does not make Rubbish!

Importantly, the conference also discussed important practical areas of faith development for youth ministers as well as for youth. It was a striking point that was taken on board by lots of people at the conference. The question was posed, how can we introduce God to others, if we don’t know what God is to us……….simple but extremely important.
The speakers were amazing, from Sr Hilda (from Jamberoo abbey and the abbey fame), Bishops Fisher, Ingham and Hurley, plus multiple workshops run by fantastic people from all over the country. It was truly a nation wide event, that was designed to give ideas for implementation into our wide and diverse Church, rather than a one size fits all technique that would squash the individual strengths of dioceses and individuals….there is no one answer!
Some of the practical things I felt strong about and took from the conference included;
Having a wholistic approach to ministry to youth in a parish.
Developing your own prayer life.
Allowing youth to mix in a way that suits them.
Giving youth a sense of power over their future of their gatherings.
The need to continually educate and inform, there are always new things to learn.
Practical solutions and ideas for groups.
Guidelines for professional standards in youth Ministry, so very important!
Have Fun!

Some of these things are easy to do and can happen how, others will take Pastoral councils years to work on, but the main thing is to remember that the Church is alive and here now. We must welcome these young people, they are our future and hope, God Loves them too much, for them to never meet Jesus.
What can we do to help a young person see Jesus in who we are?
 Tough question, but one all of us as Catholics must answer.