The Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry team provides support to leaders of parish and community youth and young adult ministry. Our goal is to encourage and support effective programmes that engage, equip and empower youth to become active and committed members of the Catholic Church.
Diocesan Youth Masses are held monthly from February to November on the last Sunday of the month at 7.00pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral. In February each year there is also a Diocesan Youth Mass on the second Sunday of the month. Annual events and programmes include faith formation programmes for those aged 13-17 years, leadership development for those aged 18-25, training and networking opportunities for leaders and a WYD-style event. In the year of an international World Youth Day this becomes a focus.
An online calendar of events is published annually incorporating liturgies, events and programmes offered by the Diocesan Office and others offering ministry to young people in the Auckland Diocese.
OUR TEAM
Teresa McNamara
Team Leader
Teresa was born and raised in Mt Eden, attending St Benedict’s Parish in Newton. Teresa brings to the position her deep faith, her experience in a senior management position in a corporate law firm together with her skills, passion and expertise in youth and young adult ministry as the leader and coordinator at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a number of years.
Key responsibilities:
- To set and implement an annual plan for ministry to young people in the Auckland Catholic Diocese.
- To organise Diocesan activities and events such as the annual World Youth Day Experience
- To support and encourage leaders of parish and community youth and young adult ministry including providing formation, leadership and networking opportunities for leaders.
Teresa works five days a week: Usually Sunday to Thursday.
Rochelle Dias
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Co-ordinator
Rochelle was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She moved to New Zealand in November 2012. Her youth ministry experience includes over five years of voluntary work for her parish youth group back in Mumbai. She is a parishioner at St Patrick’s Cathedral and has been a volunteer at ACYM events this year including World Youth Day Experience in Auckland.
Key responsibilities:
- To organise Diocesan activities and events such as the Diocesan Youth Mass
- To ensure effective communication occurs with Catholic youth and groups/organisations, working with youth/young adults in the Diocese with specific responsibility for the weekly email update, the ACYM website and Facebook page
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.
Joey Bonnevie
Programme Leader
Joey was born in Manila, Philippines. He moved to New Zealand when he was 11. His youth ministry experience includes eleven years of service in Couples For Christ – Youth For Christ in Oceania as a youth leader, including three years as a mission volunteer. Joey is a parishioner at St Patrick’s Cathedral and he has also helped with diocesan events including the World Youth Day Experience in Auckland since 2011.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, develop and lead delivery of programmes and events including faith formation, leadership development and regional days to young people at parish, regional and Diocesan level.
Joey works five days a week (usually Sunday to Thursday).
Part-time Youth Workers
Miguel Padilla (Mico)
Miguel (Mico) was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Auckland on August of 2010. He is a member of the Holy Cross Parish in Henderson and also serves as one of the leaders in CFC Youth for Christ. Miguel studies at the Auckland University of Technology taking up a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and also serves as a guitarist for the masses in his community parish and youth group. Beginning with Theology of the Body and Walking Through the Mass, Miguel strives to learn more about the Catholic faith and the teachings that it has to give.
Ryanne Galumalemana
Ryanne was born and raised in Auckland. She comes from a big Samoan family who have always taught her the importance of God and being a Catholic. Ryanne is a member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Onehunga and is currently the keyboard player for their Parish Choir. Recently, Ryanne has found God’s calling to become a teacher and has started her Primary teaching degree at AUT Manukau. Ultimately, she hopes to teach Religious Education and Social Studies in Catholic schools in the future.
Felicity Meijer
Felicity was born in Auckland, and is a member of St Francis de Sales & All Souls parish in Devonport. She loves working with youth, and has served in youth ministry in a variety of different contexts; including leading youth ministry at her current parish. Felicity studies at Laidlaw College in West Auckland and is in her final year of a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, majoring in Biblical Studies. As a part of her studies, Felicity completed a year long ministry internship, which really integrated both theology and youth ministry. She hopes to further her studies in the future, as well as serve within the church! Felicity is super passionate about youth ministry and looks forward to being a part of the ACYM team this year!
Chanel Mehrotra
Chanel was born in Mumbai, India and has lived in 7 different countries. She moved to Auckland initially in 2000 but left in 2003 only to return in 2007! Her youth ministry experience includes participation with Vinnies, Special Character at Marist College, Theology of the Body and Christ the King Youth Group. Through these experiences, Chanel has come to learn more about her faith and grow in a new found love and appreciation for the Catholic Faith. An extroverted bubbly individual who has a passion to share her faith with those around her. Chanel is a parishioner at Christ the King and has attended many events organised by ACYM in the past. She is currently in her last year of a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce double majoring in Marketing and Innovation & Entrepreneurship at The University of Auckland.
