Meet Maria Romerosa, the 2022 Youth Ministry Coordinator at Corpus Christi College Maroubra.

An English teacher at Corpus Christi College, Maria Romerosa, was formally inducted as a Youth Ministry Coordinator of Sydney Catholic Schools during an Archdiocesan meeting held earlier this year. 

The meeting, at Waterview, Bicentennial Park, involved secondary Religious Education Coordinators (RECs) and Youth Ministry Coordinators.

MARIA’S FAITH JOURNEY

A strong Catholic, Maria had worked as a teacher in the state system for 13 years before joining Sydney Catholic Schools in 2022.

She says she jumped at the opportunity to be a Youth Ministry Coordinator when told of the position by Corpus Christi’s Principal. 

“For me it’s coming back full circle,” Maria said. “Having that strong connection to my faith and wanting to bring that to the students and having them experience (that).”

SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY

Traditionally, there is a Youth Ministry Coordinator (YMC) in every Archdiocesan secondary school.

A BibleYMCs are teachers within their school who’ve been appointed to their positions of leadership. They work with the schools’ RECs and other staff to engage students in faith-filled activities within the school.

These school based activities may include:

  • Organising and leading prayer opportunities in classes and in the school
  • Developing opportunities for students to use their gifts and talents in Music Ministry or to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
  • Supporting Catechists to teach state school students how to pray with Christ
  • Supporting Deanery Youth Groups across the Archdiocese of Sydney
  • Supporting the catechumenal journey – or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process – of students seeking to become Catholics
  • Taking part in programs that teach students what it truly means to live faithfully and act justly, by helping people in our community living in poverty and disadvantage. 
WHAT MAKES A GOOD YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR?

Qualities needed in a Youth Ministry Coordinator include:

  • Deep, genuine faith;
  • A willingness to serve;
  • A real ‘yes’ attitude; and
  • A passion to evangelise, and promote a welcoming, vibrant faith community.