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