Page 9 - Unity Edn 44

Youth News UNITY
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Painting Bush Retreat Social Justice in Action Ignite: One Night

YYAM Training YYAM Training Wadeye Team
H ey There! The NET team, Harry, and I then travelled to Wadeye
for the Annual Wadeye Bush Retreat. The retreat
I’m Kathryn the Youth Coordinator for the
Darwin Diocese. You might remember me from
together with Elders, Fr Steve MGL and Fr Leo
previous editions of the Unity Magazine. In March my was run by the Young Church leaders of Wadeye,
secondment (from teaching) to the Diocese started MSC. The retreat started on Sunday and went until
where I am now working full time in Youth and Wednesday, and over the four days it was evident
Young adult ministry across the schools, parishes that the Holy Spirit was truly present. We all painted
and diocesan levels. It is a role I am very passionate two images: the first was ‘Our relationship with God’
about, and having been a youth Coordinator in and the other was, ‘who is God to us?’
Adelaide, it’s great to be back in a Ministry role. You On the last night we stayed up until 1:30am singing
may remember that a few years ago we had the and dancing around the campfire so full of joy, love,
wonderful Benita in a very similar role, and I am peace and happiness. A big thank you goes to Mark,
grateful to her for the foundations she has set. Fr Leo, the Youth leaders, the 50+ attendees, the
During the Covid-19 months, my job looked very Traditional Owners who welcomed us onto their
different. Schools weren’t accepting visitors, the country, and to Benita for having helped establish
NET team had gone home, and our Churches were the retreat many years ago.
closed. Even the annual youth camp, Breakaway, On our return from Wadeye, I then hosted a two-day
had been cancelled! However, as we know, God Leaders Training for our Diocesan Youth and Young
always gives us a rainbow after the storm. During Adult leaders. We had leaders from Shine (African
the shutdown, I developed a Youth and Young Adult Youth Group), Limitless (Casuarina Youth Group)
Ministry Handbook. This covers many practical and and the Catholic Young Adults Committee. Christine
logistical aspects of running Youth groups, as well as Smith, who is our Diocesan Safeguarding and
the legal side with the relevant policies, procedures Integrity Officer, presented a course on Safeguarding,
and risk assessments included. This handbook has Safe Churches, and risk analysis. We then looked at
been checked by the Professional Standards Office our own gifts and how these can be used in Ministry,
and will be available shortly. and finished by writing SMART goals specific to each
When schools and Churches reopened and were ministry group for a 1 year and 5 year timeframe.
accepting visitors, our NET team also came back. These goals just blew me away. Keep your eyes and
This saw some school and community visits, and I ears peeled over the next year to see some of their
worked closely with schools and their Social Justice goals become reality!
groups. Follow the Youth Office on Social Media: Facebook:
The end of September/start of October was an Darwin Diocese Office for Youth and Young Adults
incredibly fruitful few weeks. It started with Ignite and on Instagram: @NTCatholicYouth
One Night which saw in-house events in Alice Springs
and Darwin, as well as other centres across Australia, Merry Christmas and may you and your
family have a Happy, Safe and Holy
and online. The night was full of music, a national
game of heads and tails, a thought-provoking talk Christmas.
by Nattasha Mierendorf, and the chance to write
another young person a letter of encouragement.
These letters were sent back to Ignite HQ, and they
will re-distribute the letters to those who attended Kathryn
(Australia wide).

www.darwin.catholic.org.au 9