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 Foundations in Catholic Youth Leadership and Ministry Training

8-12 February
Canberra, Australia

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• Equips participants for life, ministry and professional careers
• Reinforces theory with practical application
• Is a unique response to the identified needs for solid training in Catholic Leadership and Youth Ministry
• Is a pathway to Bachelor level qualification in Theology and other related subjects at ACU National (all campuses) and the Broken Bay Institute
  
• Is delivered by some of the country’s most prominent speakers and educators
• Updated and fresh content – past participants can expect to learn new things

Detailed Program and Speaker information

Day One

Topic: Peter & Paul: Leaders of the Early Church

Servants, Teachers, Leaders, Martyrs. Saints Peter & Paul dominate the story of the early church found in Acts of the Apostles. Their faith in Christ ensured that their influence was felt both within the foundling Church and across the first century world. Bishop Mark leads participants into the world of Acts of the Apostles, revealing two leaders who, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, were strong despite much personal frailty.

Speaker: Archbishop Mark Coleridge

Archbishop Mark Coleridge was appointed Archbishop of Canberra & Goulburn in 2006. He is recognised as a dynamic preacher and a gifted leader. He is a respected biblical scholar with a Licentiate and Doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Biblicum in Rome. He lectured at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 1991-1997. He is currently the Chairman of the Australian Bishops' Commission for Liturgy.

Day Two

Topic: Ethics in Ministry with Young People

The youth leader has the power to uplift, encourage and form the young people they lead in their character. Unfortunately this power can also be used to abuse the vulnerability of the people whom they encounter. Dr Rob Long sets a standard of appropriate behaviour, boundaries and accountability to ensure that the vulnerability of young people is protected and understood. Rob investigates role conflict, forms of power and the psychological effects of a leader's behaviour in an interactive workshop that enables participants to identify unethical behaviour and develop skills to make appropriate responses.

Speaker: Dr Rob Long

Dr Rob Long has extensive experience and expertise in Youth and the church. Rob was a Youth Minister, a teacher, a lecturer at University of Canberra and ACU National, Manager of the ACT Office of Youth, founder of the Galilee School and Education Manager at Quamby Youth Detention Centre. In 2001-04 Rob developed and lectured in the first Master's Degree in Youth Studies in Australia at ACU National. Rob has conducted evaluations, developed training and undertaken consultancies in youth services across Australia. He is currently Director of Human Dymensions.

Day Three

Topic: Child Protection

Those in positions of leadership in the Church are responsible for ensuring that children in their care are protected and all pastoral issues are dealt with effectively. Phil Marsh adapts Child Protection legislation to youth ministry situations, covering topics of mandatory reporting, dealing with disclosures and agencies to assist young people in crisis.

Speaker: Mr. Phil Marsh

Phil Marsh has worked in the Primary Education sector for 24 years. He has worked as a principal for 10 years. He has also studied law and spent over 5 years leading Parish based Youth Groups in Maitland. Phil is currently the Principal Human Resources Officer at the CEO, Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn. His key responsibility is in the area of Child Protection.

Topic: Responsibility & Restoration

To be a leader necessitates that one has positive interpersonal skills, including the capacity to resolve conflict, deal with grievances and communicate effectively with those within our ministry and in the wider Church. Matt Casey instructs participants in methods of communication and conflict resolution that uphold the dignity of all persons involved and seek to bring the best possible outcome out of all situations.

Speaker: Mr. Matt Casey

Matt Casey is a practicing Clinical Counsellor and Restorative Practice Consultant who consults extensively with schools, community organisations, business and government agencies on relationships, conflict management and cultural change. A Detective for much of his 27 years in policing, he was an Executive member of the Police Association and later the Head of the School of Investigation and Intelligence at the NSW Police Academy. Matt has served as the Chair of the Pastoral Council in Goulburn and also chaired the organising committee for the 2008 Goulburn International Youth forum.

Day Four

Topic: Theology of the Body

The Theology of the Body is an all encompassing philosophy which offers much insight on what it means to be human in the world. Fr Tony Percy outlines the key concepts that underpin Theology of the Body and sets a framework in which Church teaching on human sexuality can be placed.

Speaker: Fr Tony Percy

Fr Anthony Percy, STD, was ordained in 1990 for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. He spent nine years as an assistant priest and administrator in the parishes of Young, Queanbeyan, Ardlethan and Barellan until 1999 when he began post-graduate studies at the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage & Family in Washington, D.C.  He returned to Australia in 2003 with a doctorate in Sacred Theology, at which time Fr Percy was appointed Parish Priest of Goulburn, NSW.

In 2005 he published Theology of the Body Made Simple which was re-published in 2006 and 2007, has been translated into Chinese, Italian, Spanish and German and is currently in its fifth edition. The book's popularity is largely due to Fr Percy's ability to use his wit, warmth and down-to-earth practicality to make even the most complex issues easily accessible to lay people, particularly the young.

In 2009 he took up his current position as Rector of Good Shepherd Seminary in Sydney. 

Topic: Relationships & Sexuality

Catholic teaching on human sexuality has many relevant and necessary messages for modern culture. Those in leadership positions within the Church greatly benefit from having a clear understanding of the way these teachings apply to the lives of the people they lead. Francine & Byron provide practical, personable and relevant principles on a variety of topics in the area of relationships and human sexuality.

Speakers: Francine & Byron Pirola

Francine and Byron Pirola have been married for over 20 years and have five children. They have worked in the area of marriage enrichment for over 18 years. They are co-authors and the Australian founders of Celebrate Love (for married couples) and Embrace (for engaged couples). Francine & Byron have also written many articles on marriage and family and regularly speak at a variety of youth ministry settings.

Day Five

Topic: Arise Young People: Giftedness & Personal Growth

An essential quality for those engaged in leadership with young people is the capacity to assess and evaluate one's strengths and weaknesses in order to continue to grow and develop in their role. The Dominican Sisters will discuss self awareness, emotional intelligence and personal growth, drawing upon their extensive teaching experience to assist participants in developing their self-evaluation skills.

Speakers: Sister Mary Madeline, Sister Mary Rachel & Sister Cecilia Joseph

Sister Mary Madeline has been a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia Congregation since 1991.  She holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, an MA in English, and is completing her Masters in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.  Sister taught theology and English in the United States for 11 years and worked for World Youth Day 2000 in Rome and as Assistant to Bishop Anthony Fisher, O.P. for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.  She currently serves on the Chaplaincy Team at the University of Sydney and frequently speaks on the Dignity and Vocation of Women.

Sister Mary Rachel is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee. She has been professed as a religious for eleven years during which time she has taught in five schools in which the sisters administer and teach in the U.S.  Sister holds a BA in Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership.  She and two sisters came to Sydney in 2007 to work in the World Youth Day Office where she served as the assistant youth festival planner.  She is currently teaching Religious education at Trinity College in Regents Park and Auburn and serves her community as Vocation Director in Australia. 

Sister Cecilia Joseph is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia from Nashville, Tennessee. She has been professed as a religious for eight years. Sister has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Aquinas College in Nashville, TN and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. She has taught Years 6-8 Religion, History, and Technology in schools in the United States where the sisters administer and teach.  She also served in the Vocation Office in Nashville for two years. She is currently teaching Religious education at Trinity College in Regents Park and Auburn.