Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) has reprioritised its mission for 2026 and beyond in response to the needs of the community.
Informed by the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, the continued listening and sharing of young people in parishes and schools and an acknowledgement of where the Holy Spirit is guiding our Church, CYP’s new Mission Plan aims to form and awaken “a community of disciples among young people in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, where leadership is nurtured, accompaniment is intentional and encounters with the living presence of Jesus Christ are at the heart of our work and service.”
CYP’s outgoing manager Qwayne Guevara said the new plan had “been a fruit of the way in which we’ve strived to do youth ministry in the Diocese”.
“It’s our attempt at articulating a vision that aligns with the Pastoral Plan, but also honours our communities, the experiences of our young people and looks forward to what is going to be some significant moments of grace in our Church.”
Through discussion and consultation, the CYP team has designated three mission priorities in their service to young people: leadership and formation, accompaniment and listening, and encounter and community.
Suggestions from the consultation sessions on the CYP Mission Plan. Image: Catholic Youth Parramatta
“It’s clear that across the Diocese, when asked about what CYP is, the answer is different to different people depending on their community and their experience of youth ministry and of the Church,” CYP Facilitator Sebastian Duhau said.
“These consultations have been an opportunity to enable our youth ministry leaders and young people across the Diocese to contribute to what the vision and mission of CYP is in acknowledgement that we exist for them.”
Accompaniment core to ministry
Working within the deanery model, the parish youth ministry teams each have a member of CYP that they can reach out to for support, guidance and strength.
“We’ve always looked to accompany at a local, grassroots level, and that looks different for communities and in different levels of leadership,” CYP’s new Manager Eleanor Bonwick said.
Youth leaders contributed to the CYP Mission Plan. Image: Catholic Youth Parramatta.
Sebastian added: “Outside of providing resources and practical tips, a big part of our accompaniment is helping our young people to navigate all the highs and lows of ministry and support them through that.”
Qwayne said parishes are often so inundated with their own priorities that they don’t have the resources to accompany youth leaders in ministry.
“The intention from us is that we provide mentoring and accompaniment, but we also bring them into a network at a Diocesan level, so they see themselves as agents of their own accountability for each other’s spiritual lives, not just their ministerial lives.”
Reflecting on 2025
In a year that has included the 10th anniversary of LIFTED Live in the Forecourt, a Good Friday Night Walk that had the biggest turn-out ever, and a Jubilee youth pilgrimage to Greece and Rome, the team is grateful for the community they have been witness to in 2025.
A drone shot of pilgrims who participated in this year’s Good Friday Night Walk at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
For Facilitator Hannah Portelli, who has been part of the team for 12 months, it’s been a year of growth, getting to know the young people in the Diocese.
“We’ve got incredible people who give so much of themselves and really love God. Seeing their witness has been really inspiring,” she said.
Joys of the future
In 2026, CYP is still aiming to host its regular events that invite young people to encounter Christ and build community.
However, they are also called to adapt to where the Church is moving and what its young people need.
“We are called to discern a way of being Church, a way of being disciples, leaders, missionaries that is much more authentic to where the Holy Spirit is moving us,” Qwayne said.
The CYP team in October 2025 (L-R) Hannah Portelli, Qwayne Guevara, Sebastian Duhau and Eleanor Bonwick. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
Sebastian said one of the best things about youth ministry was that it relied on the gifts of the people who were doing it.
“But as people change, the ministry changes. It might be scary, but it’s a gift,” he said.
Farewell Qwayne
Qwayne Guevara. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
In mid-November, the Diocese farewelled Qwayne Guevara as Manager of Catholic Youth Parramatta.
Having worked for the Diocese for over eight years, Qwayne has joined the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s National Centre for Evangelisation, leading two national priorities of formation and youth ministry.
“Qwayne has poured her heart and soul into the young people of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains,” CYP said in a Facebook post announcing her departure.
“She has created spaces where youth feel seen, heard and empowered to lead with faith and confidence.
“Qwayne’s way of accompanying others, walking alongside them with compassion, wisdom and joy has shaped our community in ways that will be felt for generations to come.”
CYP has appointed Eleanor Bonwick to replace Qwayne as Manager, Catholic Youth Parramatta! She started on 18 November.
This article was originally published in the 2025 Advent & Christmas | Summer edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can read the digital version here or pick up a copy in your local parish.
