Participants danced, took part in discussions and presentations, browsed the many stalls, spent time with friends and new acquaintances and enjoyed all that was on offer at the festival.

The opening ceremony included a powhiri (welcome) for internationally acclaimed Gospel singer and songwriter Matt Maher and his team from the USA.

Maher took part in the worship and a blessing of the diocesan and festival candles by President of the New Zealand Bishops Conference, Bishop Patrick Dunn.

The workshops and keynotes over the two days were filled to capacity and explored a diverse range of topics from faith, spirituality and relationships to practical sessions about the care of our planet and living and working in our communities.

Some of the highlights:

• Auckland writer and youth leader Sam Brebner led a session on Our calling in the Church.
• Youth ministry leaders Annie Benefield and Chris Duthie-Jung discussed Why I'm Catholic?
• Bishop Stephen Lowe set an informal and welcoming tone with the bishop's Q&A.
• A discussion on the challenge of the digital interface.
• Isabella McCafferty and Father Alistair Castillo pondered the question Does God really have a plan for my life?
• "Our common home" was the focus of discussion in the Project Earth workshop.

Saturday's events culminated with a prayer vigil led by Matt Maher, and a festival Mass.

On Sunday there were more opportunities to attend workshops and keynote talks.

There was an "expo lunch" followed by a plenary session Face-to-face with the Francis factor.

The weekend wrapped up with diocesan-directed discussions on ‘taking it home,' and a concert with Matt Maher and support acts Monique Holden and Grace Worship.

The concert, attended by around 1600 people, was held at the nearby Victory Centre.

• ‪See more on Festival FaceBook page
• See More On New Zealand Catholic Church FaceBook page

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• Image: Facebook

Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival supporters include Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Catholic Enquiry Centre, The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand, the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, the Catholic Foundations of the Diocese of Palmerston North and Archdiocese of Wellington, Pandoro, and Pleroma Christian Supplies. Radio Rhema and Life FM are the official sponsors of the Matt Maher concert.

Hosted by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, it is aimed at young people aged 15-29.

Over 500 young people are expected to attend.

The aim of the Festival is to invite and challenge people to actively participate in and grow their local faith community.

Special emphasis will be on what it means to be a Catholic 24/7 and interacting ‘face to face'.

The Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival will feature leadership and performance by the internationally recognised musician and worship leader, Matt Maher.

The organisers say the festival is not quite the same as a conference, youth camp or retreat. It has elements that are similar but it is more experiential and participatory.

They emphasise that formation at the Festival will be achieved by participation. This means that the more someone puts into the activities the more they will get out of it.

Similar to a large music festival, the timetable allows those attending to ‘choose their own path'. Individuals can decide what they see, who they see and what they do.

The Aotearoa Catholic Youth Festival will have a wide range of activities. There will be a number of talks given by adults and young people, interactive activities such as workshops and the marketplace, as well as times of prayer.

A highlight will be the Festival Mass on the Saturday night preceded by the chance to participate in music and prayer led by Matt Maher.

Immediately following the Festival, on the Sunday evening, Matt Maher will headline a public concert for the Christian community of Auckland at the Victory Convention Centre, Freemans Bay, Auckland.

All Festival participants will receive premier VIP tickets to the Concert as part of their festival registration fee.

• Click here to download Festival programme
• Click here to got to Festival FaceBook page
• Click here to find out more about the Festival - Accommodation, events and more

Source

Supplied: Amanda Gregan
Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

"It's really heartening to see so many who want to be involved and have their say." said Isabella McCafferty, a member of the National Youth Council.

The organisers are hoping a lot more people will participate in the survey before it closes at mid-night on 27 August.

Individuals or groups can complete the survey: Click here to have your say if you are under 30 years old.

The New Zealand bishops say Pope Francis "wants to hear from young people and has asked us to ask you! We would like to hear from all young people, whether you feel closely connected to the Church or not."

The organisers of the survey are aware that wording of the questions may put people off. They were supplied by the Holy See in the Synod Preparatory Document and are not like the everyday language used in New Zealand.

"Please don't let this put you off responding. You may like to focus on the questions that are most meaningful to you and skip those you don't wish to answer."

The survey is anonymous and the survey answers do not contain any identifying information.

Hamilton Bishop Steve Lowe says "this is a wonderful opportunity for young New Zealanders to have their voice heard on what matters to them in their lives, their faith and how they feel about the Church."

The survey will contribute to a worldwide initiative by Pope Francis to better understand the lives, attitudes and concerns of young people around the world, in the lead up to the Synod on Young people, faith and vocational discernment in Rome, October 2018.

Source

• Supplied: New Zealand Catholic Bishops
• FaceBook
• Image: FaceBook

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops are asking those aged 16 to 29 years to share their views about life, faith, and their experience of Church.

The feedback will be collated through an online survey which goes live 9am Sunday, 23 July.

People can be answered individually or in groups.

The survey is part of an international effort by Pope Francis to better understand the lives, attitudes and concerns of young people around the world and is a the lead up to the Synod on Young people, faith and vocational discernment, in Rome, October 2018.

"Every young person has something to say to others... all of us need to listen to you," said Pope Francis.

"Even young people who consider themselves agnostics, even young people whose faith is lukewarm; even young people who no longer go to Church; even young people who consider themselves atheists."

Palmerston North Bishop Charles Drennan, and Secretary of the Bishops' Conference, is very keen young people have their say.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for young New Zealanders to have their voice heard on the international stage on a range of topics concerning their faith and place within the Church.

"Young people's questions and experiences form part of the Church's constant korero or conversation about how to live our universal faith in the here and now."

The survey will run for five weeks and the closing date for responses is midnight Sunday, 27 August 2017.

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Image: ACBC Youth Ministry

Kennerley said, ‘As part of our ongoing support of Challenge 2000 and commitment to working with youth, the Society of Mary has purchased the old Brigidine convent at 1 Wanaka St, Johnsonville, Wellington. This centre will provide a base from which Challenge 2000 can continue to offer a wide range of services and also develop other ministries, including an alternative education college and youth development and youth ministry programmes'.

Sr Anne Phibbs along with other Brigidine Sisters who previously lived at the convent said they are delighted their old home will be used by Challenge 2000.

‘After the Sisters left, two more owners made vast improvements to the building and it is very pleasing the ‘old Convent' should come back to life within the Church and in such good condition.'

"We congratulate the Society of Mary on their generosity and their concern for our young people; and we wish Challenge 2000 every blessing on their work and their time in the ‘old Convent'. May you all be richly blessed by God - and by St Brigid!"

The Archbishop of Wellington Cardinal John Dew said, "This is great news for Challenge 2000 and is a significant move and moment in your history. It will enable you to do a lot more of the wonderful work you do, serving young people and their families."

"The staff, volunteers, Board and Challenge whanau are absolutely delighted about the Society of Mary's purchase of a base for Challenge 2000", said Steve O'Connor.

"For us, it is a dream come true and something we have been hoping and praying for. It will enable us to work more effectively and better serve our young people and families."

"It is an excellent example of a collaborative gospel partnership in action. We look forward to the official opening and shift mid-year and thank the Society of Mary for this huge commitment."

Source

• wn.catholic.org.nz
• Image: wn.catholic.org.nz

The preparatory document included a series of questions to be answered by national conferences of bishops and other Church bodies. Responses, along with input from youth, will be used to help prepare the synod's working document.

Drennan, the secretary of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference and one of the New Zealand representatives at the last synod, said it would be great if New Zealand's bishops "could see the contributions coming from young Kiwis".

In a letter accompanying the preparatory document, Pope Francis encouraged young people to tell him, their bishops and pastors of their (youths') hopes, struggles as well as criticisms. Continue reading in NZ Catholic

They were taking part weekend-long event to mark World Youth Day 2016 (WYD).

170 students from across the South Island attended the event. Organiser Abina Pope said WYD was "an opportunity for students of the same age to come together, share ideas and listen to various members of religious organisations".

Activities included volunteer work at the City Mission, a barbecue on Saturday night and a disco held at the Catholic Cathedral College.

On Sunday students walked an inter-faith pilgrimage through Christchurch, visiting religious locations across the city including the Transitional Cathedral on Hereford St.

The cross was place inside the perimeter of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament site "to assure the people of Canterbury we are strong in our faith and we will rebuild."

The organisers of the local event wanted to depict the pilgrimage of the symbols of WYD, The Holy Year Cross, and the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani, through Europe.

The WYD symbols were handed over by the Brazilian youth to the youth of Poland in Rome on Palm Sunday 2014.

After visiting five Polish dioceses (of Poznan, Kalisz, Wloclawek, Warsaw-Praga and Siedlce), the cross and the icon set out on a journey through Central and East European countries.

They were in Belorus, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The symbols returned to Poland on December 14, 2014, and travelled several thousand kilometres around country.

On July 25, the Cross and the Icon were placed in the Adoration Tent on the grounds of the Jordana Park in Krakow, from where they were driven to the places of celebrations with Pope Francis.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• www.krakow2016.com
• pope2016.com
• Image: stuff.co.nz