Melbourne News

Young Men of God weekend

Monday 13 August 2012

By Jay Ros

On 13-15 July the Young Men of God (YMG) formation weekend, ‘Wise Up, Stand Up’, was held at Worri Yallock north-east of Melbourne. About 40 men from Melbourne and some interstate visitors attended.

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The YMG formation weekend is all about equipping men aged 16-35 to realise more of their potential, and thus become the men that God has created them to be; men who are ‘fully alive’.

The aim is to lead men deeper into their life of faith. This is done through inspiring talks, recreation, small group discussions, and common time together. Essentially, the weekend provides, an opportunity for young Catholic men in Melbourne to deepen their sense of life-mission, create long-lasting and supportive relationships, and ultimately to encounter the person of Christ—the source of all transformation.

Over the weekend there were many inspiring speakers, including Bishop Christopher Prowse. Many of the men were moved during Bishop Prowse’s talk. He was able to connect with them in a special way and had a way of unifying them and getting them to really open up in their sharing groups.

A great part of the weekend was simply the opportunity to get away from the rat race and all the distractions, and get things into perspective; to allow time for prayers and quiet reflection and perhaps to see what might missing in your life.

The formation weekends are held once a year on the same weekend in July. YMG also has a national conference held in Sydney from 12–14 October as well as a weekend camping trip in summer at the beginning of the year. It also organises mission trips to the Philippines.