News
NETworks Issue 3, 2023
In this issue: Relevance for Mission · Revive Youth · 2023 Overview
RELEVANCE FOR MISSION
Relevant |ˈrɛlɪv(ə)nt | - appropriate to the current time, period, or circumstances; of contemporary interest.
35 years of ministry! This is the story of our year, celebrating and giving thanks for a ministry that has trained, formed and sent one thousand missionaries out to encounter over 750 thousand young people with the story of Jesus in their lives. One thing that certainly stood out for me was that NET's ministry to young people by other young people is relevant.
Our teams engage a key area that addresses an ever-growing concern for youth and young adult ministry within the Catholic Church in New Zealand and Australia. This key area is 'relevance'.
What we have found is that once a young person has an encounter with Jesus Christ, especially with other young people, relevance of faith and engagement with the Church become less of a barrier. This is the beauty of NET Ministries and the space it provides for young people to encounter Jesus Christ.
- Calling young people to ongoing encounters with Jesus Christ
- Providing meaning and purpose for young people
- Assisting young people to make positive impacts on the world around them through relationships, work and study, and community
The witness that NET Missionaries provide through peer with peer evangelisation, meeting young people where they are at, building relationships and providing opportunities for them to encounter Jesus Christ and become part of the Church is truly graced and blessed. Relevance for us is not how effective our marketing and social media posts are, relevance for us, is people! Jesus is and will always be relevant and this is what NET Missionaries do. They make Jesus and the Church relevant because of their personal and relevant encounter with Jesus and the result is other young people encountering Jesus because of this witness.
Here are a couple of quotes from students this year about their time with the teams that speak to this relevance:
"I really enjoyed the activities with the NET team as I was able to relate with their stories."
Year 13, Rosmini College Auckland
"I enjoyed when Tilly shared her story because I learned that it is never too late to start your faith journey"
Year 11, Marian College Christchurch
"I enjoyed the meaning behind it, I felt it was very tailored to us as year 12s and helped give guidance to us as we venture to the next step of life."
Year 12, St Joseph's College Katherine, Darwin
We feel so privileged to take this good and relevant journey with you and give thanks for all God has done. We look forward to continuing to minister with you, through your support, in the proclamation of the Gospel to the young people of Australia and New Zealand.
Praying you have a happy and Holy Christmas,
Mark Lysaght
Executive Director Australia & New Zealand
IGNITE CONFERENCE
It is always a joy to join with our partners in ministry, Ignite Youth at their annual conferences. NET was represented with all staff and three of the four teams over the two conferences: Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Diocese of Broken Bay, Sydney. Seeing over two and half thousand young people encounter Jesus, some for the first time, demonstrates that the Church is alive. We feel very privileged to partner with Ignite Youth and be one of their platinum sponsors.
NET GALA & FAMILY FUN DAY
On Friday the 20th of October we held a Gala combining with our annual fundraising event to commemorate 35 years of ministry to young people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. It was a terrific evening with supporters and alumni gathering to celebrate and give in kind and financial support. On Saturday we hosted a Family Fun Day at Australian Catholic University with a host of alumni providing music on the lawns between the Saint John Paul II building and Holy Spirit Chapel. Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane celebrated a 35th Anniversary Mass for us at 5pm.
NET EVENTS
LIFE MEMBERS
During the evening we inducted John and Linda Brady as Life Members of NET Ministries. Life membership is given for outstanding and meritorious service to NET Ministries. The Brady’s and in a particular way, John have contributed so much to NET and the NET Missionaries over many years including, hosting in their home, training and formation in Australia and NET Uganda, inaugural member of the NET Board for 10 years. Through their faithfulness and support NET Ministries has flourished.
SHAYNE BENNETT Founder of NET Ministries Australia
We also took the time to honour Shayne Bennett and hear from him about the continued relevance that NET’s ministry brings through young people to young people. Shayne spoke inspirationally about the privilege it has been to serve and experience the action of the Holy Spirit through the ministry of NET within this part of the world and Uganda. Shayne recently made the decision to step away from the day-today ministry of NET where he has been Program Director & Manager of our University Ministry. We will miss him but know that he is not far away and will continue to serve the ministry at our trainings and on the NET Board.
WRAP UP WEEK. THANKSGIVING MASS & BANQUET
Fr Josh Whitehead (left) Fr Isaac Falzon (right) celebrating our Thanksgiving Mass
When the missionaries return from a year of service there is much to unpack. Our time at Iona College Campsite on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast was a time to unwind, celebrate and prepare for mission life outside the context of NET Ministries.
At the end of the Wrap Up week the NET Missionaries were joined by family and friends at our Thanksgiving Mass at St Peter’s Church in Coolum, celebrated by good friend, Fr Josh Whitehead, and alumni and recently ordained, Fr Isaac Falzon, both priests of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. We then convened back at Iona College Campsite for a Banquet where we were treated to a 2 course meal from Good to Eat Catering.
Nothing really substitutes or can express fully the thanks we have for the ‘yes’ of each NET Missionary and what that has meant to thousands of young people in Australia and New Zealand.
REVIVE YOUTH
In 2023, we were excited to welcome a NET team to the Diocese of Auckland. The team has broken new ground in the Diocese this year, with their ministry taking 3 forms,
- Providing high-quality Encounter Day retreats in our secondary schools
- Launching a weekly youth ministry in a local parish
- Providing support for Diocesan youth events
The success of the NET team’s ministry has exceeded our expectations. Over the course of the year, they have carried out ministry in 13 of our secondary schools, sharing the gospel with over 4000 secondary students. One Director of Religious Students remarked, “These were the best retreats we have had for a long while.” The team launched ‘Revive Youth,’ a weekly youth group at Holy Cross parish in Papatoetoe. The launch was a significant event, which included dinner, games, praise and worship music, testimony prayer, and a free ice-cream truck! Since launching, the youth group has been getting consistent engagement from 25-30 young people. It has been a highlight to see the impact that this ministry is having on the young people who participate. Young people who were withdrawn when they first started attending Revive Youth are now confidently engaging with their peers, their leaders, and their faith. Several of the teens have shared that Revive Youth is “the highlight of their week.”
The team has been an energetic and youthful presence in the wider Diocese, providing valuable support for events including Masterclass youth ministry workshops, overnight retreats, and local World Youth Day celebrations The presence of the NET team this year has been transformative. We are so grateful for the team’s work across our secondary schools, parishes, and wider Diocese. We’re look forward to having a NET team return to Auckland in 2024!
Sam Brebner
Manager, Ministries to Young People, Catholic Diocese of Auckland
2023 OVERVIEW
These statistics represent the ministry that our missionaries undertook throughout the 2023 year. And the fruit is clearly abundant, with an overwhelming amount of the feedback given to our teams being positive.
When asked about their experience of the time shared with our team, some incredible responses were shared by both teacher and students alike.
“I enjoyed small groups, because we got to talk about things that we usually wouldn't share to a bigger group and things we keep close to our heart.”
Year 12 Student Aquinas College
“I’ve never seen this group of children so engaged in anything connected to religion, and that is down to [the NET Team’s] enthusiasm, energy and connections [they] built.”
Teacher Villa Maria College
“When the members of NET team prayed for us. I really felt good after that and I feel like God has heard me.”
Year 10 Student Catholic Cathedral College
“We have really loved working with NET. They are inspiring, loving and open. Our students have loved being with them, just as we have.”
Teacher Marian College
“[I] feel like I have learned more about myself and it is always great to meet like-minding people who are willing to share their faith”
Year 13 Student Rosmini College
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Thank you for your support of our ministry this year. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we pray for you and your loved ones, that you would experience joy and peace throughout the Christmas season.
From all of NET Staff and Missionaries of 2023.
Peace.
Mark Lysaght
Executive Director Australia & New Zealand
Can you help us rebuild the church by transforming the lives of young people across Australia and New Zealand?
As always, please pray for us as we seek to fulfill our mission. We hope to see young hearts transformed as they encounter Jesus. That's why we exist. Thank you for your generosity.