Year in Review 2024 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 25 2024 Reports The Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group (SYM– RG) was established by Bishop Shane Mackinlay in late 2023. The membership consists of seven lay people and two priests, and our purpose is to provide support and advice to the Office for Mission and Pastoral Life, Bishop Shane and the Sandhurst Mission and Pastoral Council (SMPC) in the visioning, development, planning, implementation, and review of ministry with young people today. In 2024 the key task of the SYM–RG was to recommend a direction and pathway for ministry with young people in 2025 and beyond. The Reference Group members themselves brought significant knowledge, skills and experience to this task, but other groups and consultative processes made contributions that should not be overlooked. For example, surveys of the young people who joined in the Sandhurst 2023 World Youth Day pilgrimage to Lisbon provided important baseline data, and Rev. Jackson Saunders led consultation sessions with young people regarding the Synod on Synodality. Advice was also sought from the SMPC about the strategic direction and goals of the Diocese. These sources were drawn into a larger process of discernment that was undertaken by the Group under the leadership of Gen Bryant and Dr Chris Cotter. On 4 July, Gen facilitated a formation day designed to support the development of the Reference Group and its members, and the cultivation of a pathway forward for Youth Ministry by proposing the development of a partnership between key bodies considered critical to the success of youth ministry in Sandhurst: the diocesan Chancery through the Office of Mission and Pastoral Life; priests and parishes and Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd schools and office. The formation day brought clarity and impetus to the partnership idea, resulting in the shaping of a Detailed Proposal for a Formalised Sandhurst Youth Ministry Partnership. This document outlines a clear vision and goals for ministry with young people in the Diocese, describes the various partners and their roles and strengths, and the types of paid and voluntary positions that may be required to bring the goals to fruition. Ultimately, the partnership proposal was endorsed by Bishop Shane and the SMPC which set the stage for the development of position descriptions for a new Sandhurst Youth Ministry Team. The purpose of this Team is to establish and grow strong connections with the aspirations and hopes of young people and our Sandhurst parishes, priests and schools, as well as operationalising the Sandhurst Strategic Mission and Pastoral Goals as they relate to ministry with young people. I am very pleased that Bishop Shane has appointed Mrs Claire Spinelli as Youth Ministry Team Leader, and I look forward to the recruitment of additional team members in early 2025. Claire will be well supported by the SYM–RG when she embarks on this recruitment and develops a work plan for the Team. We also look ahead with hope and optimism to a range of exciting opportunities for young people in 2025 and beyond, including the Australian Catholic Youth Festival which will be held in Melbourne in late 2025. Finally, I would like to thank the Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group members for their time and service. They have been invaluable in helping to shape the future of Youth Ministry here in Sandhurst: Mason Crosier, Jasmine De Lai, Georgia Gordon, Hannah Gundry, Brendan Lindsay, Miggy Podosky, Rev. Jackson Saunders, Rev. Nathan Verallo and the wonderful support and guidance we received from Dr Chris Cotter and Leslie Cooper. Michaela Brooks Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group Michaela Brooks Chair Sandhurst Youth Ministry Reference Group
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