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.
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
Joey Bonnevie
Programme Leader
Joey was born in Manila, Philippines. He moved to New Zealand when he was 11.
His youth ministry experience includes thirteen years of service in Couples For Christ – Youth For Christ/Singles for Christ in Oceania as a youth leader, including three years as a Mission Volunteer.
Joey is a parishioner at St Mary’s Northcote and he has also helped with diocesan events including the World Youth Day Experience in Auckland since 2011.
Rochelle Dias
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Co-ordinator
Rochelle was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She moved to New Zealand in November 2012.
Rochelle graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Anthropology plus a post graduate diploma in Business. At the age of about seven, she thought youth ministers were the coolest people ever and wanted to be youth leader. She started serving in youth ministry when she was 15 and has continued ever since. She is a parishioner at St Patrick’s Cathedral and her journey with ACYM started in a voluntary role for World Youth Day Auckland in 2013.
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!
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. Mico studies at the Auckland University of Technology taking up a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Astronomoy 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. Mico strives to learn more about the Catholic faith and the teachings that it has to give.
Ryanne Galumalemana
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.