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| MONTHLY NEWSLETTER November & December 2024 |
|  | Thanksgiving Mass for the NET Missionaries of 2024 |
| | “So, I want to say ‘Big ups’ to the Lord for what he has done and is doing” these were part of the final words of NET 2024 missionary, Chris Dougherty as he shared about his experience of his NET year at the Thanksgiving Mass on the 15th of November. This colloquial vernacular for a ‘big thumbs up’ (a good thing in Australia, especially if ‘big’), and well understood by his fellow missionaries, was met with joy and laughter.
The opportunity to celebrate these men and women who answered a radical call, to take their story of encounter with our God to Darwin (NT), Maroochydore (QLD), Auckland (NZ), Hamilton (NZ) was very special indeed.
Our theme scripture for the year was from Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Rom 15:13. As was said at their Commissioning Mass, let the God of hope saturate and inundate your being with joy and peace, and may your life abound in hope that overflows to those around you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are not just a recipient of hope; you are a dispenser of hope—a living testament to the boundless love and promise of our God. And this is what the NET Missionaries of 2024 have been this year! Their hope, contagious, their joy, contagious, and their peace, contagious! It reflected the glory of the God of hope to a world in need. Just like when the missionaries were commissioned, we believe they are called to continue to be agents of joy, peace and overflowing hope! Believing that this joy is not fleeting, and this peace surpasses understanding, it is a joy and peace anchored in the very nature of our unchanging God. As I said to them on the evening, “You are prophetic voices, allowing young people to make faith possible in their lives because of your witness; your witness of living a life of faith, a life of meaning and purpose that encourages other young people to do the same, and this impacts the world around you for positive change through your relationships, community and work. It does not end here - if anything a fire has been lit in you to continue to be this as a fully fledged members of the Church - wherever you find yourself! As a staff we are so proud of you, I am so proud of you. You now join a very special group of people. Alumni of NET Ministries - congratulations!” On behalf of the NET Staff and the Board of Directors, a “Big Up’s!”, thank you for supporting the NET Missionaries of 2024. From parents, family members, friends and contact people, supporters, prayers and financial generosity, it means so much to the NETters and to us as NET Ministries.Thank you for helping us make faith possible for young people through your generous support.
May you have a happy and holy Advent and Christmas and great start to 2025. We look forward to connecting with you then.
Peace,
Mark Lysaght Executive Director |
| | THANKSGIVING MASS & CELEBRATION |
| The Thanksgiving Mass on the 15th of November at St Mary’s, South Brisbane was celebrated by Fr William Aupito Luliano and Fr Isaac Falzon, alumni of NET Ministries. An almost full house gathered with the 2024 NET Missionaries for the Mass and celebrations afterwards. It was a beautiful celebration in bringing all that had taken place during the year and giving thanks. We are so proud of these young men and women and all they have given. |
| | |  | Fr William & Fr Isaac (Alumni) |
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| | A week before their Thanksgiving Mass the NET Missionaries debriefed their year in the place that they started, Peregian on the Sunshine Coast. It was a week spent unpacking their year, saying goodbye to team relationships and preparing for next steps. A solid finish to a good year! |
| |  | Final picture before leaving camp |
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| |  | The art of saying goodbye |
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|  | Jess Samaila & Josh Foxon |
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| | | Chris Doughertry, NET Darwin 2024, shared at the NET Thanksgiving Mass about his year on team |
|  | Hello everybody, my name is Chris Dougherty and this year I had the opportunity to serve on the Darwin team with four other ‘weapons’ in Kayia, Grace, Marlee, and Josh. We lived together, ate together we prayed together, we prayed together oh and did I mention, we prayed together? This was the foundation of our team.
We travelled around the Northern Territory proclaiming the gospel, sharing our testimony’s, and leading students to an encounter with Jesus. While based in Darwin we were also a bit of a travelling team, going as far north to the beautiful, Tiwi Islands and as far south to the heart of Australia in Alice Springs. Going out on country to the aboriginal Catholic community, Santa Teresa.
The Northern Territory is a very tropical and beautiful place, with amazing national parks, beautiful waterfalls, exceptional sunset’s and beautiful beaches which were ten minutes from our house. These beaches although very appealing, you probably don’t want to swim in because you might get snapped up by a croc - but people still swim there for some reason?
While the Territory had all of this beauty to witness and experience, I think what captured my heart the most were the people and communities. Somewhere that did this, was when we went to the Tiwi islands, a Catholic community off the coast of Darwin. While we were there, we were able to work in the schools helping in classrooms, mingling with the students, playing sport and running retreats; with some of them held on the beach. |
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| Every time we went there, we were welcomed by everyone we encountered, from the school to the parish and even just walking up and down the main street. People would welcome us and be so ready to share and teach us about their culture. This spirit of welcome was a true witness of the Fathers heart for us. I went there with love to share but what I received in return was far greater than what I could give. I got to witness firsthand the realities of the poverty in which they lived, yet, they had a pure joy and love that couldn’t have come from their material possessions but only from Jesus Christ himself.
Something that I witnessed across the schools we ministered in, was a real openness to God and to what we had to share. I really noticed this in our retreat days that we ran, when we got to our prayer and reflection sessions. What I witnessed was, I’d say 70% - 80% of the students receiving prayer in that time and they are having encounters with Jesus. This openness I think is a testament to what God has done through the other NET teams that have been in Darwin in the previous years.
So, I want to say ‘Big ups’ to the Lord for what he has done and is doing in the Northern Territory, and to all that have served there in the previous years. And a big thank you to all who support us whether that be financially or prayerfully, we greatly appreciate it. This mission couldn’t be done without you all.
Thank you and God bless! |
|  | NET Darwin Team (L-R Josh, Kaiya, Marlee, Grace & Chris) with Supervisors, Chelsea & Caleb |
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| | | PRAY FOR THEMPlease continue to pray for the 2024 NET Missionaries as they go back to their lives post mission.
“The greatest gift that we can give to each other, is to pray for one another”
If you would like a copy for your home, Church or workplace please click the link below and we will send you a PDF copy to print off.
The NET Missionaries will be so grateful for your prayer support as they pray for you. |
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| | | These statistics represent the ministry that the missionaries undertook during the 2024 year. The fruit is clearly abundant, with an overwhelmingly positive feedback given to our teams. |
|  | SOME STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND |
| “The NET team were really fun and changed my previous opinion on God” – Yr 9 student – Alice Springs |
| “The games were very fun so I enjoyed those. The chapel had to be my most enjoyed though as it was the first time I have ever felt Jesus presence” – Yr 9 student – Baradine college |
| “Feeling a sense of belonging from everyone in the NET team” – Yr 8 student – St John’s College |
| “Writing our own prayers because you could really get closer to God and Jesus” – Yr 6 student – Siena Catholic Primary |
| “I loved when they talked about their journeys because it made me feel not alone because everyone goes through things” – Yr 10 Student – St Dominics College |
| | | We are still looking for women to serve on NET in 2025. If you know anyone, ask them to make contact with us ASAP! |
|  | If you or anyone you know is interested, could be interested, or you think they would make a great missionary serving with NET Ministries - let us know!
More information can be found here |
| | | | This year we say goodbye and farewell two staff. Thank you, to Elise O’Callaghan and Darcy Rogers, for all you have given to NET Ministries during your time with us. We are so grateful and we will miss you. All the best with your new endeavours!
Here are a couple of words from them about their time with NET Ministries. |
| |  | Elise O’CallaghanI remember finishing my time serving on the Darwin NET team in 2021 and leaving the dusty warmth of Peregian with a quiet certainty: I’d be back. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant or in what capacity—but I didn’t need to know. I trusted God, if anything my time on team had taught me that He has always been faithful.
By 2022, I’d moved on from NET and felt at peace closing that chapter. But the Lord had other plans. When I heard Him knocking at the door of my heart to return as a supervisor, I took a leap of faith and moved to Brisbane—uncertain if we’d even have enough missionaries to secure a job on staff. Of course, God was faithful.
My first year on staff was full of awe and excitement as I stepped into the sacred privilege of supervising and journeying with women.
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| Alongside learning practical skills like mastering Excel and processing donations, I also learned to listen deeply with the ears of my heart.
By my second year, I found a rhythm in my work that allowed me to fully surrender my efforts to God, trusting Him to work through me. Though the days were often busy and demanding, this year has been one of profound abundance, hope, and blessing. NET has been a spiritual home for me these past two years, and I’m deeply grateful—for the women I supervised, the staff I worked alongside, the impact of the NET teams, and the prayer warriors and benefactors who make this mission possible.
If I had to sum up my journey with NET in two words, they would be abundant faithfulness. Time and again, when I felt stretched beyond my limits, God showed up—even when I couldn’t see it in the moment. This faithfulness has not only been true in my life but also for the teams I supervised and for NET as an organisation. God loves NET, and so do I.
This chapter has been a launchpad for whatever God has in store for me next. While my time on staff is coming to a close, NET will always be part of who I am and the gifts I bring to the world.
I am endlessly grateful to God for leading me to and through this journey with NET. |
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| Darcy RogersComing to NET Staff has been transformative, not just for me, but also for my wife and our children in our faith journey and its application.
My experience on staff has been one of intentionally seeking Jesus alongside a phenomenal team who are fully committed to Him and His mission.
I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside young men and women, pastorally, prayerfully, and professionally, as they navigate their Christian walk of apostleship.
As an alumni, I will continue to advocate for NET, as it has always held a special place in my heart since my first year in 2017.
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|  | All I can say now is a huge thank you to our Lord for this opportunity of loving service, and thank you for everyone who made it a year of joy, peace, and hope. |
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| |  | Thank you for your support of NET Ministries this year. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we pray for you and your loved ones, that you would receive joy and peace throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.
From all of NET Staff and Missionaries of 2024. |
|  |  | | Make a gift this Christmas! |
| We are hoping you may be in a position to help provide fundamental support for NET Ministries Australia & New Zealand in the mission to encourage young people to encounter Jesus and embrace the Church, making faith possible for our young people. Your generous contribution will directly help us drive this mission in Australia and New Zealand in the following ways: Reach more young people: With your support, we can expand our reach to a greater number of schools, parishes, and communities, providing young people with the opportunity to encounter faith, experience personal growth, and develop strong moral values.
Enhance program quality: Your contribution will enable us to improve and innovate our retreats, school programs, and parish missions, ensuring they remain relevant, impactful, and transformative in the lives of young people. We will invest in the development of resources, training materials, and engaging activities that resonate with the ever-evolving needs and interests of today's young people.
Support our dedicated team: Our staff and missionary volunteers are the driving force behind NET Ministries. With your support, we can provide them with the necessary resources, ongoing formation, and support to continue their crucial work of mentoring, guiding, and inspiring young people on their faith journey.
Thank you so much for the consideration of this need. |
| | | | |  | Mark Lysaght Executive Director
NET Ministries Australia & New Zealand |
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