In discussion with Bishop Joe in December 2008, his key identified priorities were as follows:

    * Re-establish the Youth Ministry Reference group and meet regularly
    * Provide opportunities for young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
    * Encourage continued and wider spread Catechesis sessions that are more than just a “one off” meeting with Bishop Joe. Get local priests and REC’s involved, as well as key leaders who have engaged in theological study. Target places to offer Catechesis, talk at deanery meetings about the model.
    * Focus on Discipleship, choose key youth and young adults and concentrate on developing relationships with them, encouraging them in their personal faith journey, and create small retreat opportunities for them. Continue to build trust.
    * Have a Diocesan Event twice a year, based on Receive the Power Live model with good bands, testimonies, drama. Use our local people, like Robert Galea upfront, but also our own people in organising like the schools rally. Create opportunities through Drama, Music and Art, giving young people the ability to “celebrate and let go” in their faith
    * Build relationships with the other Victorian Dioceses, so that an event is possible across the four dioceses (perhaps a festival, similar to Black Stump)
    * Look at conclusions of the Youth Leadership Gathering (Sydney Nov 08) to see how we can develop in line with the National Blueprint (and contribute on a national level)  See appendix
    * Increase the number of “youth masses” across the diocese and see that they are done well, not just with music, but with celebrating the word
    * Look at Palm Sunday as Youth Sunday, perhaps with a Stations of the Cross in public
    * Balance between time with people and time preparing for events.
    * Ensure Geraldine has more upfront substantial work in one particular deanery (Goulburn Valley)