The Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry team is part of the Auckland Diocese Pastoral Services Group. Our goal is to support young people and those in ministry as we continue leading them closer to the heart of Christ. We minister, accompany and provide support to leaders of parishes, community youth and young adult groups. We encourage and support effective programmes that engage, equip and empower youth to become active and committed members of the Catholic Church.
In a special way, we thank The Catholic Caring Foundation who support our ministry.
JOEY BONNEVIE
Programme Leader
Joey was born in Manila, Philippines. He moved to New Zealand in March 2002. He graduated from AUT with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science majoring in Applied Microbiology. While he was looking to start his career in this field, he realised that God was calling him to a different vocation – Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Joey has been involved in Youth Ministry since 2004. He served in a lay community called Youth For Christ/Singles for Christ (Couples for Christ International) in Oceania as a youth leader, including three years as a Mission Volunteer. In 2013, joined the Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry Team. Since then, he had completed his Certificate in Catholic Youth Ministry through The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Joey is also married to his best friend and the love of his life, Denisse and together they have son Noah and a dog Eze.
ROCHELLE DIAS
Mission Programme Manager
Rochelle was born and raised in Bombay, India and moved to Aotearoa New Zealand in November 2012. Rochelle graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Anthropology followed by a post graduate diploma in Business and also has a Certificate in Catholic Youth Ministry through The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand.
At the age of about seven, she thought that youth ministers were the coolest people ever and always dreamed about being youth leader. Talk about God fulfilling your dreams!! She started serving in youth ministry when she was 15 and has continued ever since. She is a parishioner at St Joseph's Parish in Takapuna and her journey with ACYM started in a voluntary role for World Youth Day Auckland in 2014.
Felicity Meijer
Mission Co-ordinator
Felicity was born in Auckland, and she loves working with youth, and has served in youth ministry in a variety of different contexts. Felicity studied at Laidlaw College in West Auckland and completed her 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 a parishioner at St Patrick’s Cathedral and loves meeting new people, so come say hi!
RYANNE GALUMALEMANA
Youth Worker
Coming from a devoted Catholic family, faith has always been important to Ryanne. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that Ryanne began deepening her relationship with Christ and “living out the conversion” (as Doug Tooke would say). Called to teaching, Ryanne is currently in her last year of study towards a Bachelor of Primary teaching at AUT and hopes to teach at a Catholic school. During her down time, you’ll find Ryanne lounging around listening to music, watching movies, eating anything sweet or hanging out with family & friends, especially her niece Aaliyah and her dogs Milo & Django.