Welcome to the website for Youth Ministry in the Bunbury Diocese.
My name is Sue Barton and in 2004 I was appointed Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Bunbury. When I began in my role, I came across a quote from the American Bishops which stated “YOUTH MINISTRY MUST BE A PART OF THE CHURCH NOT A SEPARATE APPENDAGE TO THE CHURCH”.  It has been this statement that I have adopted as my approach to my role.

It is for this reason that I have accepted invitations and opportunities to attend parish masses, parish pastoral council meetings, parish gatherings, school masses and school meetings.  It is also the reason why I have embraced being a member of the Diocesan Adult Faith Education Committee, Diocesan Liturgy Commission and the Diocesan Pastoral Council to ensure that young people ARE A PART OF THE CHURCH.

Whilst I acknowledge that I am involved with the faith of young people, I also work with and along side parents, priests, principals, teachers and parishioners of all ages to maximise the effectiveness of any programs that I present for our young people.  It is this collaborative approach that has been received so enthusiastically from parishes and schools right across our Diocese.

Being a very real part of the Pastoral Team of the Diocese also emphasizes that the Bunbury Diocese is serious about youth being part of the Church, and isn’t seen in isolation such as the previous “Youth Office” had been perceived rightly or wrongly.

I : PARISHES

YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAMS SUPPORTING OUR PARISHES IN VARIOUS WAYS:

A PARISH YOUTH LEADER’S PROGRAM

This program is designed to assist a Parish in the formation of Parish Youth Leaders.

The program focuses on:

• What is Youth Ministry?
• Caring and communicating with Youth.
• Leadership development and helping groups work.
• Planning.
• Prayer and spirituality for Youth Ministry.
• Evaluating our group.
•  Leader’s responsibilities.
  

GAMES & ACTIVITY  BOOKLET.

The booklet provides suggestions in which a game or an activity can:

• Build unity within a group.
• Release the tension, when people meet for the first time.
• Start a discussion.
• Illustrate a point that happens in the ‘real world’.
• Get your point across, more effectively than just talking.
• Just have fun.