NETworks Issue 2, 2021

NET works

Issue 2, 2021

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

In this Issue The Matt Foxon Story Ripples in the Family Congratulations to Fr Will Iuliano

Wha t we r ecognize this m or ning w i th Po p e Fr a ncis is tha t the gr a ce of God ha s tou ch ed this br other , this sister in such a w ay th at m a ny, m a ny other s thr ough th em… r i gh t a r ound the wor ld ha ve com e to th i s n ew exper ience of God, ha ve lea r ned w h at i t i s to listen to God, to obey the word o f Go d , a nd to be touched by its power to sav e u s.

So, we give tha nks for the m inistr y , th e w o r k a nd witness of Sha yne a nd Sha nell e B en n ett a nd we do tha t in union with the u n i v er sal pa stor , the Bishop of R om e, to sa y th at th ei r gift ha s been not only to the Ar chdi ocese o f Br isba ne but to the univer sa l Chur ch .

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e n ev er r e all y und e r s t a nd t he f ul l i mpac t o f th e ch o i c e s t ha t we m a k e . L if e i s u n p r ed i ctab le, and o f t e n i t ’ s f r o m t he mo st mu n d an e o f e v e n t s o r c ho i c e s t ha t i nc r e d i bl e l i f e flows. P ete r Vick e r s o n, t he m a n who o r i g i nal l y h ear d ab o u t NET M i ni s t r i e s i n t he U S A and b eliev ed th at it co ul d b e p l a nt e d i n A us t r a l i a, has sh ar ed th is sen tim e nt wi t h g e ne r a t i o ns o f Ne tte rs at initi al tr ai n i n g. L i k e wi s e , S ha y ne a nd S hane l l e Ben n e tt, th e Fo u n di ng D i r e c t o r s o f N E T Mi nistri e s in A u str al ia, h av e s a i d o n num e r o us o c c a si o ns th at t h ey w o u l d ha v e no i d e a t he c o ns e q u e nc e s of the i r ch o i ces b a c k i n 1 9 8 8 whe n t he y d ec i de d to follo w th e L o r d ’s l e a d i ng o n t he i r l i v e s t o be gi n NE T in Au str alia w it h t he s up p o r t o f t he E m m anue l Com mu n i ty .

O n Augu st 2 9 th , 2 0 2 1 i t wa s a n ho no ur t o watc h Sha yne an d Sh an e l l e b e i nv e s t e d wi t h t he Papal Awa r d P r o Eccl esia e t P o nt i f i c e f o r t he i r se rvi c e to the Ch u r ch b o t h i n A us t r a l i a a nd o v e r s e as: i n th e m issio n o f th e E m m a nue l C o m m uni t y ; the Fou n d in g o f N ET Mi ni s t r i e s i n A us t r a l i a a s we l l as su p p o r ti n g th e d e v e l o p m e nt o f N E T U ganda; wor king w i th lay e c c l e s i a l c o m m uni t i e s i n S o uth East A si a an d Ug a nd a ; s e r v i ng t he wo r l d-wi de Ca th o lic Ch ar isma t i c Re ne wa l a nd t he Me rc y Com mu n i ty i n Q u e e ns l a nd . W e c o ul d n’ t b e p ro ude r of our Fo u n d in g D i r e c t o r s , f o r who t he y a re and all tha t th e L o r d h a s d o ne t hr o ug h t he m .

I’m a l so co mfo r t e d b y t he r e s p o ns e o f o ur missio n ar ies, su ch i nc r e d i b l y g e ne r o us yo ung p eop le w h o in t he m i d s t o f t hi s t i m e have con tinu ed to r esp o nd t o t he L o r d ’ s c a l l t o go o ut on missio n to th e i r p e e r s , t o i nt r o d uc e t he m to Jesu s an d sh o w th e m t he j o y , ho p e , t e nd e r ne s s and mer cy th at o n l y Je s us c a n o f f e r . E v e n t ho ug h o ur closed b o r d e r s h a v e r e d uc e d o ur num b e r s f ro m 8 teams to 4 team s , I a m t r us t i ng a nd b e l i e vi ng th at t h e L o r d w i ll d o a n i nc r e d i b l y p o we r f u l and u n exp ecte d mu ltip l i c a t i o n f o r o ur m i s s i o n te ams in 2021 . Pl ease jo i n m e i n p r a y i ng f o r t hi s b l essi ng as tog eth er w e co m m i t t o r e b ui l d o ur C hur c h.

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THE RIPPLE EFFECT

E xcerp t f rom A rch b ish op M a rk Col erid ge’s h omil y on A u g 29t h , 2021

S hayne and S hane l l e ’ s ‘ ye s’ to the Lord h as o pe ne d the do o r to 919 mi ssi o nari e s comin g f ro m 15 c o untri e s ( Austral i a, B raz i l , Can ada, Engl and, Ghana, Hungary, Ire l and, Mal a y sia, N Z, No rthe rn Ire l and, Po l and, S c o tl and, S o u th Africa, Uganda, US A) to se rve i n Austral i a, Ugan da, N ew Ze al and, S o uth Af ri c a, Pal au, and the M arsh all Isl ands gi vi ng mo re than 1216 ye ars o f mission ary se rvi c e . It’ s al so l e d to nume ro us vo c ati on s to th e re l i gi o us l i f e , to many be auti f ul marri ages an d to mo re than f i ve hundre d tho usand yo un g people havi ng the truth o f the Go spe l share d w ith th em by the i r pe e rs i n a re l e vant and c o mpe l l in g w ay .

Jo i n us i n thi s addi ti o n o f NET wo rks as we reflect o n the myste ri o us ways that Go d has born e mu ch f rui t thro ugh thi s humbl e pe e r to pe e r m in istry as we he ar the sto ri e s o f Arthur and C hantale W ilson , share so me go o d ne ws abo ut the o rdi nation of Fr. Wi l l Iul i ano ( NET al umnus and re c e ntl y ordain ed pri e st f o r the Arc hdi o c e se o f B ri sbane ) an d th e f e ature d arti c l e o n Matt Fo xo n as a di splay of th e po we r o f c o l l abo rati o n be twe e n NET and a parish , i n thi s c ase the Ke mo re -Mo ggi l l pari s h in th e we ste rn suburbs o f B ri sbane .

Mark Doyleor Executive Direct

NETworks

Issue 2, 2021

THE MATT FOXON STORY T

he moment that Matt Foxon heard his name announced as one of the National Team members for 2018, he experienced a sense of joy and excitement. He had always wanted to be on the National team. There was something about travelling around Australia with 11 other young people that appealed to his sense of adventure and mission. He had first started following the NET National Team on Instagram in 2017 and their message really resonated with him. So, when it came time to make a decision about what to do when he left school, Matt was clear about some aspects of his future but unsure how to make it happen. He wanted to contribute, to serve other people, and to find something that would bring a deeper sense of meaning to his life. He was looking for an experience that would teach him about himself, to help him with the question of career, while at the same time giving him some skills that wou ld be valuable for the future.

After some serious thought and prayer, he decided to apply for a year on NET.

TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH

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att went through the interview process and got accepted. He was very excited and also very nervous. The next step fo r him was to do some fundraising. Matt had never had to raise money before and didn’t have any idea how to do it, but he knew where he could go for some support. He approached Fr Mark Franklin, the parish priest of Matt’s local parish, Our Lady of the Rosary (OLR) in the Kenmore-Moggill Catholic Parish.

Matt’s family had been a part of the parish for his entire life. P aul (Matt’s Dad) and Tracey (Matt’s Mum) had moved to Kenmore in 2001 from Durban in South Africa when Matt was

only 1 year old. They began attending Mass straight away, either at St Catherine’s Moggill or Our Lady of the Rosary in Ken more. It quickly became their community – a place where they felt welcomed and where they could serve. Tracey, a schoolteacher, became involved in Sacramental preparat ion and children’s Liturgy, reader and communion minister at Mass and Paul, an accountant, joined the Parish Finance Council and became a reader and communion minister at Mass as well as a member of the Parish School Board. It was here that Matt and his 5 siblings: John (currently 19 and on his 2nd year of NET in Caloundra), Xavier (18, studying IT at QUT), Josh (16, in year 10 at Marist Ashgrove), Michael (13, in year 8 at Marist Ashgrove) and MaryAnne (11, in year 6 at OLR primary school) received their sacraments and practiced their faith, getting involved in Serving at Mass, doing readings, becoming communion ministers as well as being active in the parishes Youth Ministry.

Fr Mark supported Matt by allowing him to speak about his upcoming year of mission at the 4 masses in the Parish one weekend and as a result, Matt received most of his required sponsorship in a generous show of support. Matt was extremely grateful for the support of Fr Mark and the parish community and couldn’t believe how encouraging people had been.

With only his bags left to pack, Matt headed out for his 6-week initial training program at NET in mid-January 2018. It would launch the adventure of a lifetime. Here’s how Matt describes some of the experiences of his first NET year in his own words: 2

NETworks

Issue 2, 2021

S e e i n g A u s t r alia w as amazing ! I w a s so l u ck y a n d b le s s e d to g e t to s e e t his N a t i o n a n d to me e t s o many young p e o p l e f ro m all ove r the c ountry. I got t o se e yo ung pe ople ’s live s ch an g ed and t r a nsf o rme d. The y w ould c om e in t o t h e re t re a t d ay f e e ling one w ay, but a s we j o u r n eye d w it h t he m, w e c ould se e t h i s t r a n sf ormation hap p e n - it wa s so r e wa rd i n g !

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ONE OF MATT’S FAVOURITE SAYINGS WAS

TURN UP AND SAY YES

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n the second half of his year Matt spent some time discerning what might be next for him. He had a sense that God wasn’t finished with him at NET. There was still more that he needed to learn, so he said ‘yes’ to a 2nd year. On the first day of training for his 2nd year, Matt stumbled on the trailer for the movie Spiderman 2. In it, there’s a scene where Nick Fury says to Peter Parker, “You’ve got gifts, Parker, are you going to use them or not?” For some reason it stuck with him and he couldn’t shake it. He felt like the

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Holy Spirit was trying to say something to him, but he couldn’t quite put his f inger on what it was. A few days later, one of the NET staff approached Matt and asked him to be a team leader. Matt had no desire to take on a leadership role, but when he was praying about the opportunity, he remembered the quote from the trailer, and he realised that God had been preparing him for this task.

So, Matt said yes and became co-leader of the Wollongong team. Here’s what he had to say about his second year of mission:

My second yea r wa s ver y m uch buil d i n g on the founda tion tha t God h ad esta blished in m y fir st yea r . T he 2 n d yea r wa sn’t a s m uch of a ba ng a s th e fir st yea r . It wa s m or e of a seeping i n , a deepening of m y fa ith - a bit m o r e m yster ious.

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Whe n I c a me on my first ye ar of N E T , m y id ea of wh at it me an t to f o llo w J e sus was re ally in a box. T o b e C a t h o l i c me ant t o t urn up to M ass f o r a n h o u r on S und ay. Eve n t hough my mu m a n d d ad g ave me a g rea t ex a m p l e a t home b y how t he y lived o u t t h e i r f a i th e ve ry d ay and p rayed o f t e n p ri v a t e l y and w ith us as a f amily, it s t i l l h a d n ’ t q uite c lic ke d f or me . B ut t he n G o d b lew away m y e xpe ct at io n as I w it ne sse d powe rfu l ch an g e s i n t he live s o f p e ople arou n d m e . Th ings be c a m e m uc h more pe rson al an d real f o r m e . G o d s how e d me how g ood he is a n d h o w t rus t w ort hy he is , and e ven wh e n t h i n g s g ot c halle ng ing , I le arned t h a t I co u l d t rus t God e ve n in the har d a n d s ca r y t i me s .

Leading the team in Wollongong was amazing. The Diocese had a big vision of what youth ministry could be. My year in Wollongong taught me a lot about leadership – my strengths and weaknesses, the joy of working together with my co-leader and a capacity to accept myself as a son of God who is loved because I am, not because I was perfect in everything I did. I also learnt many youth ministry skills as I drew from the strength and wisdom of Seth (the team’s contact person). It prepared me for the challenges that would unfold.

Matt had stayed in touch with Fr Mark and with another great supporter, Michael Finch, the Parish Manager. In 2019, Matt was offered a job as a part-time youth minister in the parish starting after NET finished for the year. In 2020, Matt worked on the NET staff in a part-time mission role in the recruiting department, studied a BA part-time at UQ, and took on the part-time role of youth minister at Kenmore – Moggill Parish.

Here’s what Fr Mark had to say about Matt’s journe y:

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W h e n I a rri ve d in the P aris h on 3r d D e ce mb e r 2 0 16 my f irs t imp re s s ion of t h e F o x o n f a mily w as that the y w er e f a i t h - f i l l e d a n d d e vote d t o the C hurc h . I wa s p a r t i cu l a r ly imp re s s e d w it h how the f a mi l y s u p p o r te d e ac h ot he r and how M a t t h e w, wh o w as the e ld e s t , t ook c ar e o f h i s y o u n g e r s ib ling s . M atthe w w as in v o l v e d i n t he P aris h f irs t as a s e rver t h e n a re a d e r and c ommunion minis t er .

W h e n Ma t t h ew f irs t c ame t o me and a s k e d f o r a re f e re nc e f or NET, I w as h a p p y a n d d elig ht e d to s up p ly it. I t did n o t s u r p r i s e me he w ante d to e xp lor e mi n i s t r y i n t h e c hurc h and that NET w a s a g re a t o p p o rt unity f or him t o d o th a t in a s a f e a n d challe ng ing e nvironme nt. I wa s v e ry f a mi liar w ith how NET w orks a s I h a d a P a ri s h t e am in my f orme r P arish o f N o o s a D i s t ric t f or a ye ar. I w as also h a p p y t o s u pp ort M at the w in rais ing f u n d s t o h e l p w ith his ye ar on NET.

Even though our Youth Ministry Program was shut down through most of 2020 Matthew was able to still connect online and via Zoom during these weeks and offer support to the group. With all the challenges that Covid has created Matthew has been able to develop a vibrant Primary youth ministry, High School Group, and this year a youth adult group.

Matthew also leads the Youth Ministry team in the Parish. I know that the parish Community are very pleased with Matthew and we are blessed to have such a great young man of faith with his tal ents and gifts leading our Youth Ministry and youth ministry team.

W h e n M a t t ca m e home af t e r NET, I c ould se e a b i g ch a ng e . H e had d e ve lop e d in to a v e ry we l l round e d and mat ure young ma n . I wa s h op ing t hat M at the w w ould c on s i d e r l e a ding our yout h minis tr y p r o g r a m f r o m 2 0 2 0 af t e r c omp le t ing his 2 n d y e a r wi t h NET. Whe n I of f e re d him t h e ro l e , I wa s d e lig hte d he ag re e d , and h e s t a r t e d 2 0 2 0 w ith g re at e xp e c t at ions.

Tha t y e a r t h e P aris h als o s up p orte d 3 o t h e r y o u n g m e n t o g o on mis s ion w i th N E T , M a t t h e w A re nd s e , J ohn F oxon and To m Sh e r ra t t . Both M at the w and J ohn a re n o w o n t he ir 2nd ye ar of NET.

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NETworks

Issue 2, 2021

PARISH AND NET MINISTRIES WORKING TOGETHER

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ichael Finch (Parish Manager) comments on the relationship of the Parish and NET Ministries:

Ou r L a d y o f t h e Ros ary P aris h Ke nmoreMo g g i l l h a s de ve lop e d a c oop e rative r el a t i o n s h i p wit h NET M inis t rie s ove r a n u m b e r o f y e a rs now . This re lations hip h a s mo r e re ce ntly s e e n a re s urg e nc e t h r o u g h Ma t t F oxon w ho, having s p e nt t w o y e a r s o n M inis t ry w ith NET, now lea d s o u r P a ri s h yout h init iat ive s .

Th e d e v e l o p m ent in f aith and le ad e rs hip Ma t t h a s e x p e rie nc e d w it h NET has giv e n h i m t he e xp e rie nc e ne e d e d f o r h i s cu rre nt role as P aris h Y out h Mini s t r y C o o r d inator. Th is re lat ion sh ip bet w e e n N e t Min ist rie s & O u r L ady of t he R o sa r y P arish con t in u e s t o pr o d uc e m uc h fru it w ith many of ou r y o u t h e n g a g i n g w it h NET w it h the f ull su p p o rt o f t h e P aris h and w it h M at t’s t es t i m o n y a s a g uid e .

Matt is currently studying teaching at QUT and working as a youth minister at OLR. He is now dating Jennie, who he met through NET in 2019.

To continue this mission of calling forth new apostles, we need your support. We need the support of financial donors, we need the support of families, we need the support of parishes who are willing to get behind missionaries like Matt and provide them with the support that they need to respond to this challenging call. Wherever you are right now, whatever your situation or your context, allow me to encourage you to consider how you can support NET. Maybe you know (or have!) a young adult who could serve with us.

Maybe you’re in a parish where a missionary has been sent. Maybe you’re a priest like Fr Mark or a lay person working in the Church like Michael Finch. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it’s true. In similar fashion, it takes the whole Church working together to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Looking at the Foxon family, the K enmoreMoggill parish and Matt’s story to this point, we have every reason to be hopeful.

Can you help us to support the formation of new apostles for this new millennium?

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“The Archdiocese of Brisbane has perhaps experienced most powerfully the fruits of NET Ministries in the number of NET Alumni who have now taken on ministry roles within the Archdiocese, either directly as youth ministers/campus ministers, as teachers in Catholic schools as well as several alumni who are currently in formation at the seminary… Young people are transformed as they are supported and accompanied through an experience of mission and community that often stretches them beyond their comfort zone. (Extract from the Report of the Australian Catholic Bishops in preparation for the 2018 Synod on Youth).”

NET’S RIPPLE EFFECT IN THE FAMILY A

s parents of kids who’ve served on NET ministries, it’s a real delight to have an opportunity to share something of the ‘ripple effec t’ it has had on our lives as a family and beyond.

Our connection with NET first began in 1988 when, as a 20 year old, Arthur served as part of the first full time Australian team in the USA, and then in Australia. Even then, the impact on our family began! NET training and life as part of a team helped to create a bedrock of faith, of character and of relationships that continue to shape who we are as a family, our relationship s with God and others, and our part in the Church’s mission!

As we embarked on family life, our kids have grown up sharing in this faith and eventually, a number of them made their own decision to also serve on NET. Over the years, the photos of their teams continued to take up space on our refrigerator, as we ‘adopted’ them, prayed for them, and took them into our hearts and, at times, our home, so much so that these young people have become a part of our life and story as a family.

Arthur and I remember the Christmas of 2015. Our eldest daughter was serving on NET in Canada and meanwhile, our son, back in Australia had just finished u p his year on the Australian National team. One of his team brothers, a Canadian, was going to serve another year in 2016 and was not able to go home to Canada for Christmas, so he spent the time living with us. Here were two young people on opposite sides of the world away from their families, yet both were surrounded by ‘family’ and love that Christmas!

Throughout their experience on NET, we’ve watched our kids grow in courage and independence, learn amazing skills that we still see them use daily. NET provided a safe place for them to practice hard things like resilience and perseverance, resolving conflict and putting others first, loving others when it was hard, submitting to others leadership, being the leader, and working when they were tired. They were able to put into practice some of the hard character qualities which we really value but sometimes try to protect them from because we know that there is pain and difficulty involved.

Most of all, we’ve witnessed them fall more deeply in love with Jesus and His church and follow him more closely in all the challenges of life. NET has played its part in helping them grow into the magnificent adults they are today, missionary-disciples, who inspire us through their example of faith.

Arthur & Chantale Wilson

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fter an 11.00 am. call by the Premier of Queensland to go into a snap lockdown at 6.00 p.m. that same evening, the thoughts of many turned to the 4 ordinations that were to take place at 7.00p.m.While others were wondering the fate of the deacons, the Cathedral staff, the Archbishop and the deacons were not going to give in so easily.

CONGRATULATIONS

FR WILLIAM AUPITO IULIANO

After a flurry of activity, the ordinati ons were brought forward to mid-afternoon and were completed 30 minutes before lockdown was due to begin. These last minute changes did not seem to worry Fr. Will whose laid back and relaxed personality seemed to take the situation in his stride. This was one of Fr. Will’s endearing qualities during his time on NET. His approachable manner is something that has grown and is a strong qual ity which he brings to priesthood.

Today, we want to congratulate Fr. Will and thank him for his contribution to NET Ministries. His mission continues among the people of the Gympie Parish where he first served as a deacon and now as an assistant priest.

NET Alumnus 2012, 2013

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As always, please pray for us as we seek to fulfill our mission. We hope to see young hearts transformed as they encounter Jesus. That's why we exist. Thank you for your generosity.