Youth initiative launched

Published: 31 May 2009

Archbishop Bathersby with, from left, Sam Hodge, Brisbane Archdiocesan Commission for Ministry with Young People chair Greg Sunter and Melissa Baker

ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby has today, Pentecost Sunday, launched an initiative designed to support and grow the faith of young people throughout Brisbane archdiocese.

The "Come, Walk in the Light" initiative is addressed to all who minister to young people (12-30 years of age) in Catholic settings.

The initiative has opened with the archbishop's pastoral message to young people (see page 9) which is being released in digital form, downloadable from the archdiocesan website and posted on various social networking sites such as YouTube.

In his pastoral message to archdiocesan youth, Archbishop Bathersby expresses his desire to "strengthen my relationship with you who are the Church of the present and the future".

The initiative is the next phase of archdiocesan support for evangelisation and ministry with young people from 2009 to World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011.

Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan, who is liaison bishop with the Archdiocesan Commission for Ministry with Young People, said the initiative aimed to build on the enthusiasm created by Sydney's World Youth Day 08.

"'Come, Walk in the Light' uses a number of follow-up strategies recommended by this youth ministry," Bishop Finnigan said.

Bishop Finnigan said that parishes are welcome to broadcast the archbishop's message at weekend Masses.

"It would also be very appropriate to broadcast the message for students in Years 10-12 in our secondary schools and to Catholic young people at tertiary campuses," the bishop said.

"Parishes, ethnic communities, schools and tertiary campuses are also asked to promote the archbishop's message to young Catholics through the various networks at their disposal."

Copies of "Come, Walk in the Light" will be sent to parishes, ethnic communities, youth movements, schools and tertiary campuses.

From May 29, the archbishop's pastoral message was to be downloadable at www.bne.catholic.net.au