Antioch
Antioch is a friendly, fun and faith filled youth group for people between 16 and 22 years of age. Each Sunday after the 6pm Mass, Antioch holds a meeting which starts at 7.30 and finishes at 9.30. Twice a year, they hold retreat weekends in the Clune Centre where they invite new members to join, however, membership is open, and new members can join at most Sunday meetings. Antioch is different in that it is run BY the youth, FOR the youth, so group members, in effect, minister to the other members. It is however, supported by parent support who supervise, do behind the scenes organising and encourage the young people in their faith.

Antioch is having a renewal weekend on 23-25th July for existing team members, however we will be joining with another community for a recruitment weekend in November/December. If you would like to come along, keep the date free and contact Anneliese on youthsoar@olfkingsgrove.org. Here is an account by someone who had just attended their first Antioch Weekend in 2009 -

Words can never truly do justice, compared to the uplifting, heart warming, voice draining experience of Antioch. When I was asked about my first time on the Antioch weekend, oh man just thinking about the memories brought tears to my eyes… I kid you not!

Hearing my friend Zyrah go on about how great it was (several times) I thought it was time to make a commitment, and take the plunge into renewing, reliving and reviving my faith in God. I was of course, hesitant at first after saying ‘Yes’, because knowing me, I would make a total fool of myself, over and over again. Whether it was through being unsocial, not smiling enough and being the awkward person that I am…or I thought I was.

At the door I was greeted with friendly smiles, warm hugs, and some familiar faces. What struck me were the smiles and hugs I received from the people I didn’t know. Now THAT was surreal. I couldn’t tell you who I didn’t know exactly, because that’s the greatest thing, after the countless times we’ve sung, talked, and listened, it’s truly hard to forget a face, when the people you’ve come to know become a second family.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

- Kirsten