Networks 2014 Issue 2

NET Uganda 10 Years | Mid Year Events | Fundraising Dinner | Ignite Conference 14 | Alumni News

At our annual fundraising dinner, on August 14th, we made a very exciting announcement: in 2015 NET Ministries will place a team at Mannix College, on Monash University Campus in Melbourne.

In recent years, NET’s local ministry has continued to evolve and flourish. Parish teams began in 1994, and have since been followed by Diocesan teams, School teams, and now university/college teams.

University campuses are some of the most important and crucial mission grounds in the country. It is on our university campuses that the next generation of leaders are formed in the midst of the intellectual battle for the truth. As a result, many young people who have a strong faith find themselves struggling in this environment. I believe that at this crucial time of formation in a young person’s life that it is essential for them to have the support of their peers. This is what a NET team on a university campus can offer; support during trying times, someone to speak to about the challenges of university life and help with the hard questions of our faith, as well as sharing their own stories and experience of a personal relationship with God.

Our university teams will be drawing on the experience of NET Ministries’ staff member, Robert Schroeders, and his staff at Freedom, a Catholic mission on campus. Freedom is a university outreach that arose from NET Ministries and has been operating on the campus of QUT for five years. Freedom’s ministry model is bearing incredible fruit in the lives of those they encounter and the team’s experience will be invaluable in the training and formation of our university ministry teams. For more information about Freedom, visit their website: www.freedomcmc.com

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The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly leading NET in this direction, and in a special way I would like to ask for your support for this new, fledgling ministry. Because the ministry is new, and because of the College context, we are seeking people for this ministry who have had previous ministry experience and/or experience of university themselves to join with us in pioneering this ministry. It is an exciting time to be a ‘Netter’ as we go on this adventure together!

Our utmost need during this time is your assistance with recruiting. We need people who believe in our mission to get the word out about the incredible opportunity it is to serve with NET. I have seen hundreds of young people’s lives transformed because of the work of NET and this is an opportunity that’s available! Helping someone discern NET is as easy as putting them in contact with us. They can visit our website: www.netministries.com.au/joinus, email us at [email protected] or give us a ring at the office. Anyone can be a H.E.R.O (HonouraryExternal Recruiting Officer), so why not speak to those that you know between the ages of 18-30 about the opportunity that NET presents them today?

However, if you feel more comfortable contributing to our mission by giving financially, your donation will go a long way to helping us get our university ministry off the ground. Thank you again for your generosity and vital support of NET.

Mark DoyleExecutive Director

Exciting new mission field

NETworks

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Address: PO Box 889Paddington QLD 4064

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NET UGANDA 10 YEARS“Who can imagine the joy of the bishop on such a day?”

The words of Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa (Bishop of the Diocese of Masaka) rang out in the church as a clarion call to draw attention to the great work God had done in the ten years of NET’s ministry in Uganda. Nearly two hundred people had come together at St Henry’s College Chapel Kitovu for the conclusion of the annual Leadership Leaven Conference and the final Mass and luncheon which drew to a close a week of thanksgiving.

In 2004, we started with a team of eight (7 Australians and 1 Kiwi) NET alumni who volunteered for a 3 month pilot program to introduce NET to Uganda. Today, there are two NET teams. One team serves the whole nation while the other serves the Diocese of Masaka. Together they reach more than 30,000 young people each year. While the ministry has been localised to better meet the needs of Ugandan youth, the same charism of NET that can be seen in Australia, Ireland, Canada or the United States is evident.

The journey from 2004 – 2014 is nothing short of a miracle of God. NET has never had the financial strength to take on such a significant project in such a distant nation as Uganda. However, that was the nation where NET Australia was called to serve. God has provided from day one, right up to the present. That journey has not been easy, but it has been incredibly fruitful. During those ten years so many people have said yes to God and it is that “yes” which has enabled NET to become the reality it is today.

When you say the word “Uganda”, many Australians still think of the regime of Idi Amin and his brutal leadership of the country. However, there is another vision of Uganda

which I prefer and it originated with Sir Winston Churchill when he described it as the “Pearl of Africa”. Its natural beauty is incredible but the beauty of the people is even more staggering. The hope and dynamism in the youth of the nation is infectious.

When we first went to Uganda, it was clear that we were being given an opportunity to support her young people in building a new Uganda – not a place of oppression as in the days of Amin but a place where there is a hopeful future. This has certainly been the experience of the Leadership Leaven Conference, an initiative of NET from 2005 when we gathered a group of 35 people from the Masaka Diocese who were looking for more formation. From 2007, we have had a steady stream of more than 100 people each year drawn from all levels of Ugandan society. There has always been a two pronged approach which included the spirituality of leadership and the practical application of leadership. The fruit of these years of leadership investment are paying dividends as more and more young and not so young leaders give testimony to the influence of this ministry in their lives.

As the participants packed their bags and started the journey home, my lasting impression was of a fruitful friendship that becomes more fruitful each year. It has certainly been a privilege to share that friendship with Fred and Pauline Mawanda who have been faithful leaders and keepers of the NET vision in Uganda. May God bless them and give them strength for the journey ahead!

Shayne BennettFounding Director

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The concept of following God’s call has always been something that appealed to me. It was a nice thing that I had always wanted to do but I guess I just didn’t really know how to actually do it. But this year on NET I’ve been given so many opportunities to do just that.

NET wasn’t really on my agenda at all to be completely honest, but lo and behold, at the beginning of this year whilst I was at Ignite Summer Camp I truly felt Jesus calling me to take a step into the unknown and follow His call. So I did, not knowing what I’d got myself into but now realizing how it would change my life for good.

There’s something just so satisfying about knowing that you’re in the exact place that God wants you, at the right time and with the right people. Living with four other young

people passionate about their faith and actively looking to follow God’s will has been a privilege and has helped me to find out more about who I really am and even more importantly who I’d like to be. It’s taught me my true worth in the eyes of God and shown me that there is nothing that is impossible when it comes to God’s will.

Sure, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, and challenges have arisen. But with the support of my team, who have not only accepted me at the most emotional moments of my year, but who also continue to pray and encourage me as well, I’ve realized just how powerful prayer can be, particularly in times of trouble, and just how truly rewarding it is when you are following God’s call.

Reflection: Following God’s Call

Kim NoronhaCanberra Goulburn

from Mid Year Retreat and Mid Year TrainingRefreshed and Refocussed

The NET teams returned to Brisbane in late June for their mid-year retreat before heading home for a well deserved two week break. They reported back for mid-year training where the warmth of the reception from staff made up for the cold weather at Bornhoffen. Special thanks

to Fr Morgan Batt for his powerful homilies. The teams left for their local areas on 17th July, refreshed and refocussed for the second half of the year.

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NET Ministries’ annual ‘night of nights’ once again drew a large cross section of our supporters.

This year Archbishop Mark Coleridge was both host and main speaker and shared his life and faith journey. Executive Director Mark Doyle outlined some of his vision for NET and announced NET’s plans for increased

engagement with universities through teams at university colleges. Thanks to all who helped make it a great night and ensured

we reached our fundraising target.

ARCHBISHOP’S FUNDRAISINGDINNER FOR NET MINISTRIES

NET Ministries’ annual ‘night of nights’ once again drew a large cross section of our supporters.

This year Archbishop Mark Coleridge was both host and main speaker and shared his life and faith journey. Executive Director Mark Doyle outlined some of his vision for NET and announced NET’s plans for increased

engagement with universities through teams at university colleges. Thanks to all who helped make it a great night and ensured

we reached our fundraising target.

ARCHBISHOP’S FUNDRAISINGDINNER FOR NET MINISTRIES

From September 25th, NET will once again join as a Platinum Sponsor and large source of volunteers to help Ignite Youth run Ignite Conference - the largest annual Catholic Youth Conference in Australia. Two of our staff serve on the Ignite Conference Planning Team and more than half of our staff will be presenting workshops and ministering to young people. At least 30 NET Alumni will be presenting over the 4 days. NET Staff and Alumni will also join with emmanuelworship in leading the worship ministry for the conference.

6 NET teams will be at Ignite Conference this year: the Brisbane, National, Sydney, Mazenod, St Fidelis and Good Counsel College teams. They will help run the Ignite High Stream for grades 7-10 and 11-12. The teams will also bring young people from their local areas to experience the conference. All of the teams will be leading small groups, in which they will journey with a group of young people and support them throughout their time at Ignite Conference.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be on the frontline and evangelise the young people of Australia; being a part of some of them experiencing the love of God for the first time and helping with the formation of young Catholics, while also recruiting some of our volunteers for next year!

If you are at Ignite Conference, come and visit us at the NET stand.

emmanuelworship playing at Ignite Conference 2013 with NET Alumni: Roby Curtis, Rebecca Whitney, Laura Otto, Pat Keady, Tina Smith, Sean McGrath, and Freedom Alumni Shawn Pang.

Paul Ninnes (National 07) presenting a major rally talk at

Ignite Conference 2012

Erica Shapka (Mazenod 13) leading a small group at Ignite Conference 2013

Peter McAuliffe (Sydney 13, Canberra Goulburn 14) leading ‘Life-Maze’ for Ignite High delegates at Ignite Conference 2013

NET Alumni can be found everywhere at Ignite Conference. Here are Kyle Peterson, Ben Lagace, Kevin Henriquez and Michael Tanuvasa at Ignite Conference 2013

Executive Director, Mark Doyle, with all NET Alumni delegates during Ignite Conference 2013

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BIRTHSMark (Executive Director) & Renee Doyle welcomed

their third child, Layla Elizabeth in August

Nicky (nee Garland, 2003) & Simon Ashley welcomed their second child, Levi Simon in May

Mark (Uganda, Canada, Previous Staff) & Caitlyn (nee Ray, 2005, 2007, Previous Staff) Bennett welcomed

their third child, Abigail Mary in May

Greg (2001) & Stephanie Downes welcomed their second child, Jacob in June

Janine (nee King 2001) & Joseph Tuner welcomed their first child, Joshua Joseph in June

Michael (2008, 2009, Previous Staff) & Laura (nee Moore 2007, 2008, Previous Staff) Otto welcomed

their second child, Ignatius Michael in July

Daniel (2006, 2007, Previous Staff) & Aneta (nee Graczyk, 2009) Pyke welcomed their first child,

Timothy James in August

John (2001) & Michaela Shay welcomed their fourth child, Sarah in August

Eric (1993, 1994) & Mindy Gray welcomed their first child, Martina Evelyn in August

Ruth (nee Kennedy 2001) & Matt Green welcomed their fifth child, Ambrose Matthew Liguori in August

Mick (2000, 2001, 2002) & Liz Levick welcomed their first child, Abby Mae in August

Daniel (2004, Uganda, Staff) & Talia Saban welcomed their first child, Xavier Finley in September

ALUMNI NOTICEBOARD

ENGAGEMENTSJustin Mourits (2011, 2012, Current Staff) is engaged to

Allyson Cantin (2012, 2013, Current Staff)

Sean McGrath (2011, 2012, Current Staff) is engaged to Teresa Delsorte (2004, 2005 & Previous Staff)

Travis Schoenfelder (2013, Current Staff) is engaged to Amanda Halbach (2013)

ORDINATIONSOn Thursday 19th June, Andrew Hogan (2001) was

ordained a Deacon in preparation for his priestly ordination for the Diocese of Rockhampton in

December. He has been appointed to the Catholic Parish of Bundaberg for the duration of his diaconate.

WEDDINGSStephanie Parkin (2011, 2012, Current Staff) married

Patrick Ransom on 31st May 2014

Danielle Breffitt (2008) married Michael David (NET Canada Alumni) on June 21st 2014

Jeremy Grear (2010, Current Staff) married Rosie Hayes (2008, Current Staff) on June 29th 2014

Laurent Dubois (2011) married Sarah O’Dougherty (2011) on July 12th 2014

Sarah Schick (2006, 2007) married Troy Hammond on July 12th 2014

Nathan Costin (2009) married Jennifer Dalcin (2009) on July 19th 2014

Samantha Silver (2010) married David Briggs on July 26th 2014

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My gift today: $1000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $ _________

Frequency: Once only Monthly Quarterly Yearly

Method: Cheque (Payable ‘NET Ministries’) Direct Deposit Credit Card

EFT Bank Account BSB: 034 010 ACC: 162 527 Ref No: SURNAME 2014–2

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Issue 2, 2014

You are invited to the 2014 NET Thanksgiving Mass & Banquet

Please join us on Saturday 22nd November at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church

616 Ipswich Road, Annerley, QLD Australia

Mass begins at 10:00am in the Church followed by lunch in the MaryMac Community Centre.

The Banquet will finish at approximately 3:30pm.

Banquet Cost: $50 per person

RSVP: Monday 20th October 2014

Ph: 07 3217 5299 Email: [email protected]

If undeliverable return to:NET Ministries Australia

PO Box 889PaddingtonQLD 4064

Personal DetailsName ___________________________________

Postal Address ___________________________

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City / Suburb _____________________________

State ____________ Postcode ____________

Ph _____________________________________

Email ___________________________________

Please send me more information about:

Tax-effective Family Trust Donations Gifts-in-kind [e.g. office equipment, fuel costs, catering etc.] Including NET in my will by making a bequest

And as always, please pray for us as we seek to fulfil our mission. We hope to see young hearts transformed as they encounter Jesus. That’s why we exist.

Thank you for your generosity.

NET Ministries Australia relies on the support of our community. Are you able to help?