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 has just had a renewal weekend on 11-13th February 2011.
Renewal weekends are full of loud music, inspiring talks, sharing and so
much more. Here is a testimony of a recruit from this weekend -
As a recruit going to Antioch for the first time, I had no idea what
to expect. However, as I reached not even two feet out of the car, two
members came over with such swiftness and took my belongings off me and
took them inside. Upon entering the Clune Centre I was bombarded with at
least fifteen hugs from all different directions, meeting new people
and catching up with the people I already knew. Little did I know that I
was in for one awesome weekend that would change me spiritually,
forever.
The various talks and activities were lots of fun and opened my eyes
to many issues that I would have otherwise not paid much deep thought
to, like selflessness, forgiveness, social justice and what it really
means to be a Christian in today’s world.
I had the opportunity to pick up my guitar on the Antioch weekend
and really start to give it a go. To my surprise, I caught on quite fast
and it has been another element through which I can continue to relive
the awesomeness of the weekend. The music and songs that we sang are
still going through my head weeks after the event.
In short, being recruited was one of the best things that have
happened to me this year. I am grateful that the youth in and around
Kingsgrove have such a wonderful community that they can become apart of
and share with others. I had an awesome time and look forward to Antioch
in the future.
- Cameron Knox |