Melbourne News

Parish youth leaders' retreat

Thursday 26 July 2012

By Jack O’Sullivan, Archdiocesan Office for Youth

Kairos Catholic Journal

YOUTH Group Leaders from over 20 parishes braved the cool seaside breezes of Port Phillip Bay, to gather at Don Bosco Campsite, Safety Beach from 13th- 15th July to ‘Rest, Reflect and Renew.’

The retreat was inspired by the Year of Grace and challenged the Youth Group leaders to encounter Christ afresh. Participants explored God’s grace in a variety of different ways; examining their own spiritual gifts, reflecting on where and how they encounter Christ in their ministries, as well as learning alternative prayer techniques and having time for adoration and reconciliation.
The final day of retreat had an outward focus, with participants encouraged to not only take the ‘Year of Grace’ back into the youth groups they lead, but to also incorporate it in their everyday lives.

As with most retreats, strong friendships were formed, prayer and reflection time was abundant and inspiration was found. The presentations by Sr. Rita Malavisi rsj, Fr Chris Ryan mgl and Fr Nicholas Pearce all struck a chord within the participants, who noted that the speakers really understood the hardships and joys of Youth Ministry. One leader summed up the retreat experience saying, “It was much needed. A place and time for inspiration, encouragement and renewal.’

For more info about the Archdiocesan Office for Youth visit  www.cam.org.au/youth

Photos courtesy of Archdiocesan Office for Youth