Diocese_Of_Sandhurst_YearInReview_2021

34 Online ministry and connections needed to continue while we also planned for the possibility of inviting people to gather again. The year saw Sandhurst Youth Ministry cancel events and say goodbye to team member Kristian Joy Tangso, who moved back to Melbourne. However, the year was also filled with so much joy and opportunities for trialing new ideas and directions. One of the highlights of the year has been the opportunity to collaborate with a group of young adults from different parts of the Diocese to dream up and organise a new event for the Diocese, Sandhurst World Youth Day. This group’s openness to dream of new possibilities and work together to bring it to life was lifegiving and inspirational. While we do not know what 2022 will bring, with the passion and faith of the young people connected to SYM, it is bound to be an exciting year ahead. Sandhurst Youth Ministry SYM were thrilled to be able to gather with young people from across the Diocese at their first in-person event since before the pandemic began. Drawing on the pre-pandemic Stronger Rally and the completely livestreamed Stronger Tonight events during 2020, the gathering was run in a hybrid style, allowing for people to gather but also participate from home if that wasn’t an option. A small group of thirty or so gathered outside St Kilian’s Church on the Friday night before Palm Sunday. Gen Bryant, a regular guest at SYM events, joined by her band played music both to energise and lead those gathered in prayer. Josh Angrisano shared how he had found Light in his life. Josh’s music and beat-poetry inspired all and offered a contemporary example of how he lives out his faith. There were also young people from Sandhurst featured as part of the evening. Izzy Acquisto and Katie Dixon from Echuca were enthusiastic MCs for the evening, offering guidance and touching on their own personal faith stories as the evening progressed. The Marist College Senior Choir and Catherine McAuley College student Kinh San represented the other two Catholic secondary schools from the Western Deanery by sharing their musical talents. While a smaller event than what it would have been pre-pandemic, the chance for young people to gather and celebrate their faith with others, both in-person and online, was a much-needed opportunity to reconnect with people and their faith amidst the uncertainty. Stronger Tonight (Genesis 1:3) “Let there be light.” MISSION AND PASTORAL LIFE