Parra Dio Formation Program

The 2011 World Youth Day theme is “Planted and built in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.” The formation program will enlighten you as we are encouraged to be “firm in the faith” or firm in our faith. It addresses topics and issues that deal with our Catholic faith. Want to know more about the traditions that you’ve grown up in then attend the next Formation program to know more.

Diocesan Assembly Hall (under the Institute For Mission), cnr Flushcombe Rd & Marion St Blacktown
‘Going Back to the Basics’ Faith Formation Night.
Open to all ages. Conducted by Julie Kelly.
21st October 2010. Thursday 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Contact: Youth & Young Adult Apostolate
Tel: 02 8838 3419
Email: youth@parra.catholic.org.au

Fountain of Faith – 25.09.09

“What we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him”

Siviu on Youth Night: This week we celebrate SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY! BASIC ARE YOU READY, READY?!  For our last YMN for Social Justice September we continue to focus on having less, but being more! So, for a taste of what’s to come, be prepared to be CHALLENGED on issues of poverty, the uneven distribution of wealth amongst our society, and how it affects those less fortunate especially. To EXPERIENCE a taste of how this takes place in our world. To be INSPIRED and INFORMED in local social justice issues and how you can be apart of the generation of CHANGE! To be ENTERTAINED as our young ones lead the celebration of our upcoming FIESTA and perform a part of our entertainment item for you…and hopefully for you to learn as well! To walk away from it all having been INFORMED on what’s going on in the world around us as well as our own local communities…take the WORD and LOVE of Christ with you, and SET THE DARKNESS ON FIRE! In His Name, AMEN!

Fountain Of Faith 17.09.09

“A fountain begins with only one drop of water”

Dominic on Social Justice – Faith inspires my social justice activities through the empowerment and motivation I receive from God. God is the creator and ruler of all and therefore when he sends me to ‘preach’ through my actions I am very motivated to help the poor or do whatever little I can. I know that with God its not the size of the action but the love in it. My relationship with Jesus is strengthened when I help others as I know that whatever I do to the least of his brothers or sisters I do unto him. Finally if it wasn’t for God I really don’t know what I’d be but I’m sure that I would have the energy or motivation to do anything that benefited anyone besides myself.

Fountain of Faith – 09.09.09

“A fountain begins with one drop of water”

Siviu on Social Justice September: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden!” (Matthew 5:14) As we segue from the notion of freedom and how it is best achieved in our lives as young Christians, we focus this month on the light within us all, unique in its own means, but united in His all encompassing love…in our quest for eternal salvation. Following through on what we have shared and learnt the previous month, we hope to focus on a practical means in reaching out to our Brothers And Sisters In Christ, those in need especially. And so begins Social Justice September.

Fountain of Faith 28.08.09

“A fountains begins with but a drop of water”

Chervawn on Freedom: What does Freedom mean to me?I’m learning that there are two kinds of Freedom. The first is worldly freedom which is the ability to exercise our God given will to choose, to say yes or no.  People often mistake Freedom with acting freely, that is to say that by first having the option and then exercising the choice to be contrary makes them free. If someone chooses to take drugs are they free? Yes, they exercised their ability to choose, but were they necessarily free? Just because a person has the capacity to make decisions does not mean that they are free. Freedom is the liberty to act as we wish. This is the Freedom that we as humans practice and create for one another. The second is Spiritual Freedom. This Freedom has to be earned through trials of the heart and soul. It is the Freedom that comes with giving of yourself and finding that no earthly power can break you. It is the liberty to be better than what we are. This is the Freedom that comes with walking with God.

David Cassar on Social Justice: Ok I’ve only quickly breezed over all the emails that have been circulating, but I noticed there’s a theme on social justice going around, and I thought I’d add my two cents. I heard this thing the other day and its kinda become my motto now. I thought it was awesome. It is: Give until it hurts. How often is it that we give until we feel better? Until we feel like we have justified ourselves and just proved to ourselves that we’re not a selfish barhs-terd? When was the last time we gave until it hurt? When was the last time we gave up a something we really enjoyed to spend time with others in need? or donated an amount of money to a cause that made you wonder “I hope I’ll have enough money for this week now”. It’s too easy to offload $5 in the church plate and think, “Yep, thats my generosity towards mankind done and dusted for the week”.Jesus was the perfect example of this. he gave until he died on the cross. No greater love has a man, than to give his life for his friends.

Rosina on Freedom: Freedom is being at peace with where you are in life, being connected mind, heart and body. Is to let go, stop being controlling of your life but rather rest in the knowledge that God has an AWESOME plan for your life. There are two ways on the journey to freedom. You pushing the car up the hill, or letting God be your chauffer.

Francine on Freedom: Freedom is not earned. As soon as we give our lives whole heartedly to God, we are automatically free. Like the many entitlements we are given as being a child of God, it is our right and we are entitled to receive it. Being free means that we are freed from all things – like the material and social expectations of the world.

Fountain of Faith 20.08.09

“Your thoughts”

Jacinta on Freedom: I encourage those who look at their lives at the end of the day and do not like the person they have become, to go on a Fast to Freedom. Grab a journal, write down the habits you have accumulated that are controlling you, then intentionally change the way you think. Turn those habits into good character!! Next step: Write about your journey! There’s nothing better than seeing how far you’ve come. Don’t forget to enlist the power of the Holy Spirit, some good friends and some positive reading. Good Luck! Release those shackles!

Fountain of Faith 13.08.09

“Your thoughts”

David Ortiz on YMN: I cant show you how happy i was to share the Dio camp with you guys, as part of the Tunez crew. Not only did i learn a lot of new songs that i can use to worship our God, but over those couple of days i got to know an amazing group of people, that think and feel the same as i do about our faith, about OUR church.Each One of you in your own personal and beautiful way has been a blessing in my life, wether you took the time to see if i was alright , to directing me and helping me, i could honestly say something about every single one of you, but i think its best if i just say it was a pleasure and a gift From Christ that you allowed me the chance to be there. You all are trully in my heart and in my prayers now, and ofcourse we will continue to see eachother as i found a great group of friends who i can share so much with and im soo coming to Basic from now on cause its a GOD Thang!!
So thank you heaps and God bless all of you

Freedom in Your Eyes

Trina – “True freedom is when you are able to give joyfully because you stand in the knowledge and comfort that God’s taking care of your needs”
Martha – “Free to think, feel. Free from restrictions from others and from ourselves. Free of burdens that hold us down. Letting go. Equality. Human rights”
Jacinta – “True freedom for me, is when you put all worldly things aside, your social status, finance, achievements etc and at the end of the day, you are content with the person that you are and the person you are striving to be”