Catholic Outlook July 2016

CATHOLIC YOUTH CatholicYouthParra @cyp_parramatta @CatholicYouthParra
Alison Ryan: It’s all about relationship
By Elizabeth McFarlane
ALISON RYAN is the Youth Minister
for Mary, Queen of the Family Parish,
Blacktown and a member of the
parish team.
With her background in youth and music
ministry, she is a firm example of how
ministry can bring faith to our future.
Holding a Bachelor of Theology from
ACU and a Cert IV in Theatre Performance
and Practices, she has organised national
and international youth festivals and has led
music ministry locally and abroad.
After more than 18 years’ experience in
youth ministry, both in the Antioch youth
movement and other parishes, Alison believes
all ministries are “about relationship”.
“I am driven in my understanding of
ministry by Matthew 28:19 when Jesus says to
His disciples, ‘Go and make disciples,’” Alison
explained.
“It’s not, go and be the best teachers you can
be. It is, you are disciples who make disciples.”
Alison also remarked on the importance
of removing categories that could limit our
perception of ministering to young people
through flawed connotations.
“We can’t keep siloing things. I’m going
to be subversive and say, ditch the ‘youth’
additive, let’s focus on ministry,” Alison said.
“It’s about a widespread and rich vision of
ministry for the whole parish that highlights
A gifted singer and musician, Alison Ryan wants to empower and engage young people in all areas of
parish life.
PHOTO: ELIZABETH MCFARLANE
the many and varied gifts of parishioners
across generations and engages young people
in the life of the community.
“There’s a huge risk when people think
‘youth ministry’ is just about youth groups or
that it’s about ministering ‘to’ young people or
doing something ‘for’ young people.”
Rather, Alison provides her own definition
of ministry.
“Ministry is walking with people. That’s how
God responds to the needs of the world. God
dwelt among us. That is how we reflect God in
our lives – being with people,” she explained.
“In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than
a pizza night if that’s all youth ministry is in
your parish. It has to be more than that, right?
“What happens when they’re not youth
anymore? If you’ve told them that they’re only
part of the youth group, then what’s going to
keep them in the parish?
“The way that I was brought up in Antioch is
that it’s not about doing something ‘for’ young
people, it’s about empowering and engaging
young people in all parish life.”
Alison’s approach to ministry is refreshing,
as is her style. A nod towards her musical
background, Alison typically sports a T-shirt
hallowing a musical band of choice.
“I will never forget the first time I stepped
into a Year Six class at the age of 26. The
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students questioned me: ‘You’re from the
Church?’ From that day forward, it has always
been jeans and a T-shirt because they’re not
expecting someone young who loves their
faith,” she explained.
When faced with questions about how
sending young people to World Youth Day
will benefit parishes in the here and now,
Alison explained that the imperative to
receive cannot be the motivation for ministry.
“Ministry can’t be about a transaction. It
can’t be the expectation that if we invest in
you, you have to give us something back,” she
said.
“What we’re doing in youth ministry isn’t
always going to show fruit here in this parish,
because the problem with young people is
that they don’t stay young! They move house.
They go and study somewhere else. They get
married.
“But if we can do ministry really well, if we
can form disciples, then we’re contributing
to the future of the Church, no matter where
they are.”
Mary, Queen of the Family Parish holds a
Youth Mass every Sunday night at 5.30pm at
St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. The OASIS
youth group also runs different events
throughout the month, including sports days
and prayer nights.
To watch a video of Alison Ryan singing
Indescribable go to: http://catholicoutlook.
org/type/video/
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6 CatholicOutlook | JULY 2016
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