More than 25 teenagers and young adults from St Joseph’s Moorebank made a commitment to youth ministry at their parish before family and fellow parishioners on 8 February.
The public pledge was made at a Mass celebrating the Solemnity of St Jerome Emiliani, the universal patron for orphans and youth in need and founder of the Clerics Regular of Somasca (Somascan Fathers).
Somascan Father Chris De Sousa CRS, newly appointed assistant priest of Moorebank parish, made it a priority to kickstart the ministry after many young parishioners expressed a desire for more involvement and spiritual guidance.
“It wasn’t long after moving to Moorebank that I began to witness a great number of passionate youth coming regularly to the parish,” said Fr Chris.
“This dedication was a great sign that there was also a need for guidance and specific pastoral support so it became a priority for us to establish a youth ministry.
“Each of these passionate and dedicated young Catholics bring something unique and instrumental to the ministry which will go on to form and guide the next generation of youth.
“It was providential that this invitation to youth ministry fell on the Feast of our founder, St Jerome Emiliani, who through his example and intercession will assist the youth in their own spiritual growth.”
During the homily, Fr Chris took the opportunity to speak to his new parishioners on the life of St Jerome Emiliani, a lay man who devoted his life to caring and providing catechesis for the young, orphaned and sick as a witness of God’s paternal love.
At the conclusion of Mass, parishioners remained at the parish to continue the celebration with a morning tea and fellowship.
The presence of the Somascan Fathers at St Joseph’s Moorebank is the first for New South Wales and the third for Australia since the order’s arrival to Western Australia in 2004.
Any youth who wish to be part of youth ministry at Moorebank parish can contact the parish office for more information.