In seeking to meet the needs of young people and the Church in this ever-changing world, the Catholic Youth Team (CYT) is constantly reviewing and refining its ministry. As a consequence, NET Ministries will therefore replace the Mission Team as part of our mission and outreach programme to parishes, schools, and the wider youth community in 2023.
NET, which stands for National Evangelisation Teams, was formed in Minnesota, USA and pioneered in Australia in 1988. For over 30 years now, NET has provided peer-to-peer youth ministry in schools, parishes, and universities throughout Australasia. Each year, NET recruits and trains teams of young adults from around the world who volunteer a year of their lives in the service of the Church by sharing their experience of Jesus.
While 2023 will be the first year a NET Ministries team is to be based here, the Diocese of Christchurch has a long history of young adult participation in NET teams for a year or more. After their time on NET, team members often come back to the diocese and enter the life of the Church here. Clare Bell is a Pastoral Worker at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. She first served on the traveling team in 1998 before becoming a NET staff member. Phoebe Bryant was Head Girl at Catholic Cathedral College in 2019. She has since served on NET teams for two years, at Australian Catholic University in Sydney, and in the Diocese of Hamilton.
Coming from Christchurch, Phoebe relished the opportunity to serve in a NET team. “It was an incredible chance, not only to serve, but to take my own faith to deeper levels. It’s such a rare opportunity and one I’m truly grateful for.
Returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch this year, Phoebe was appointed Villa Maria College Chaplain. “I’m even more excited by the prospect of serving alongside a NET team at Villa, because I’ve seen firsthand the impact a Team can make on the lives of young people.”
CYT and our communities are really excited by the potential for NET to further strengthen links between our parish and school communities.
Mark Currie
Parish Youth Ministry Support Coordinator