I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). This is what it means to be truly full of life - or LIVE.

Each year in the Diocese of Wollongong, each secondary school is blessed to have the Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong (CYMW) team visit the school three times a year to run LIVE. The aim of LIVE is to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic Church and forge a strong sense of community.

On Thursday 11th March, we held our first LIVE event for the year, focusing on the theme “Connected-Be”. The first part of LIVE was a lunchtime concert where the CYMW team performed live music in the undercroft from our new band room. This lunchtime concert was open to students in Years 5-11, with many of our younger students also enjoying the event from a distance.

After school, the second part of LIVE took place with our Year 7-11 students participating in an optional retreat afternoon where the theme “Connected-Be” was explored in greater depth. Students were treated to afternoon tea, a game, live music, a talk, small group discussion, worship and dinner. We were pleased to have 117 students in attendance at this optional afternoon session. This group of students was the largest group we have had at a LIVE event. 

For our Year 7-11 students who want to ensure they are free for our remaining two LIVE events of the year, the dates are as follows:

• Thursday 10th June (Week 8, Term 2)
• Thursday 4th November (Week 5, Term 4) 

Additionally, for our Year 7-11 students who enjoyed LIVE and want more before term two, the CYMW team run a non-school affiliated event called LIVE Local - a youth group for Year 7-12 students which runs from 7-9pm each Friday night of the school term at St John’s Campbelltown.