Emergence of the New Network
Media Release
Download the Media Release on the launch of the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Network below.
Development
With the closure of the ACBC Office for Youth in December 2019, the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM) invited the Australian Network of Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinators (ANDYMC) to expand its membership and establish a broader national association of ministries. It was hoped this new network would become a key contact and advisory body to the Commission for youth and young adult ministry.
ANDYMC was established in 1998 to support and advocate for the specific needs of Diocesan Youth Ministry and those ministering within it. Close to 25 years later the network discerned that the vision to share ideas, resources and formation opportunities could be retained and shared with the broader Australian Church.
It is with excitement that this new network has been launched as the Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Network.
Themes
An important moment in this discernment process was the online gathering and consultation with Australian youth ministries in 2021. This included over 70 leaders of Diocesan, educational, and ecclesial communities, ministries and movements as well as leaders from the BCELM.
The Consultation process highlighted three major themes for the new national community: Community and Support; Regional Collaboration; and, National Leadership.
Leadership
An important step in the establishment of this new body is the formation of a new executive.
The previous ANDYMC Executive met, along with leaders of the BCELM, to review the applications and prayerfully discern this new executive. The selection criteria was based on a combination of experience, diversity, expressed desire, participation and availability.
Explore the Executive at the link HERE.
The executive is currently in the process of establishing a mandate, a structure of operation and process of accompaniment that addresses the identified desires of those in the consultation process. This will involve hosting a number of gathering opportunities and pathways for engagement and advocacy.
Vision and Mission
As discerned by this new executive, the vision of ACYMN is to foster and support leaders in the Australian Catholic youth ministry community. The network seeks to provide national leadership and opportunities for collaboration within a diverse, faith filled culture of authentic, lived ministry with young people and the broader Church.
ACYMN aspires to:
Create a space for leaders in the Australian Catholic youth ministry community, to foster relationships, support, and provide an environment to journey together in Christ’s Mission;
Encourage collaboration, networking, and opportunities for the sharing and development of meaningful and innovative approaches to ministry with young people;
Share opportunities for formation, training and professional development for ministry that meet the needs within the Australian context; and,
Be a network that discerns, advocates, and contributes to the broad strategic vision for Catholic Youth Ministry in Australia.
Connect
The emergence of this new network is continuously inspired by the words of Pope Francis:
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way her brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. The first words, then that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!” (Christus Vivit, 1)