In 2000, while a student at St. Mary's Seminary, Mulgrave, VIC, Fr Christian was asked to work with the youth of St. John Vianney's Parish, Springvale North.   He established a youth group which became known as 'Youth Coming Together'.   

At the end of the year, Fr Christian took a group of 12 young people from the parish away on a three day camp to Dromana, VIC.   The success of this camp was the catalyst for the subsequent camps, which have seen the inclusion of youth from all over Australia. 

Dromana Courier 
(Breaking News from the Youth Camp)
Day 1: Monday 11^th December, 2000

We have all arrived safely to the Oblate house in Dromana. Settled in and set the place up. After a quick kick of the footy it was into a enthralling and spiritually nourishing talking too by the Finsta on the themes on community, friendship, relationships and turning to God in prayer as community. With the highlight being jumping high electric fences in a team building exercise where rope became the 20 000 volt fence and the only way out was to work as a team, however Kate got BBQ'd due to the dress factor.

After a spiritual encounter we played Balderdash, which is a bluffing game where weird and wonderful definitions are the way to win. Very little intelligence is required, which was a good game for Fini to play. We would like to involve you all at home as well.

Dromana Courier
(Breaking News from the Youth Camp)
Day 2: Tuesday 12^th December 2000

After an academy award winning performance from Christian after he was rudely awakened at some unGodly hour, we were given a homily on how to fall asleep and the benefits of sleep. After a few hours of rest the morning commenced to the sound of our theme song "shackle - Praise You" at 9:30am. Christian offered us a reflection about the presence of Jesus in our lives. We spent a period of time reflecting on the Emmaus story (Lk 24:13-32) and a story which challenged us to see Christ in others. After this we broke up into discussion groups.

The morning was taken up with making posters, planning the days activities and preparing the meals and liturgy for the day.

In the afternoon we enjoyed a trip down to the beach after the arrival of another four people.

After a wonderful meal prepared by one group we took time out to reflect on the days activities through a liturgy prepared by the other group. We then settled down to watchLooking for Alibrandi which addressed a number of contemporary issues for young people. When the group broke up into two groups to discuss issues which were most relevant to them we discovered that expression of oneself and freedom was the issues which arose in both groups. These themes will be taken up further during the week.

After a hard days work the night is ending with an intense game of black jack with lollies as money. Some seem to find it difficult not to eat their winnings.

Cheers to everyone.

Dromana Courier
(Breaking News from the Youth Camp)
Day 3: Wednesday 13^th December 2000

We all managed to get to bed at a decent time without a full academy award winning performance by Christian.

The day commenced with Trent leaving at 6am followed by breakfast before prayer. A number of eager chefs cooked pikelets for the rest of the group. The official morning commenced at 10:00 with prayer and the presentation of today's theme: Joy and Hope in Christ. This theme was then discussed in groups which proved fruitful for all. The further we journey together the more the groups have bonded and become open to sharing and questioning.

While one group continued a lengthy discussion bombarding Christian with questions and then attempted to prepare the evenings prayer session, the other group went shopping in an attempt to whip up something for lunch.

After lunch, and a kick of the footy, a group remained home to play cards and another group ventured to the beach for a swim. Which resulted in sand fights and the scars of minor sun burn. Yes mum we did Slip, Slop and Slap but obviously not enough.

Once we had returned and showered, the group gathered for a moment of reflection and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. After which the groups broke up to prepare prayer and dinner. Another wonderful meal prepared by the group of Tacos and upside down chocolate pudding.

While one group was preparing the liturgy the other group was ganging up on Christian in a grass fight. Needless to say four against one Christian had to have his third shower for the day. Once we had all recovered there was another well prepared and prayerful moment and sharing of experiences in the light of days theme.

The evening was taken up with preparing and presenting skits which expressed themes from the week. Needless to say this was a moment filled with laughter. It has been another joyful day filled with lots of laughs.

Cheers to everyone.

Dromana Courier
(Breaking News from the Youth Camp)
Day 4: Thursday 14^th December 2000

The day began as always with Christian coming to wake us all up for our morning walk but it wasn't as Christian had expected as we were all in deep sleep. We decided to all get up at 9.30am for our 10am start but we were a bit delayed as the tiredness we had endured the night before had carried on during the morning. At the sound of Christian's famous song "SHACKLES" at 10am, we decided to skip breakfast and have it after our first session.

Our breakfast consisted of the traditional cereal, toast ,orange juice and Christian's traditional WOG coffee as well as some well prepared pancakes at 11.30am.

We all gathered at 12.30pm to discuss the house keeping issues as well as thing concerning the theme for the day :"The joy of Christ's forgiveness". This was another wonderful opportunity to share and learn from one another's experiences. This was followed by a late lunch which consisted of leftovers represented in a new and wonderful way.

The afternoon was spent on the beach contemplating the wonders of nature. Also working on techniques on using gravity to propel hand full of sand. Don't worry mums the lesson was learnt yesterday very Slip, Slop and Slapped enough today.

At 4pm we all gather in the Chapel for a meditation on Rembrant's famous painting of "The Prodigal Son." In was a wonderful experience although might not have been the best time of the day. One person fell asleep during the meditation and in the falling asleep process bumped his head on the wall reducing the rest of the group to fits of laughter.

After dinner the group prepared for the closing liturgy. Just as we began we received a kind phone call from Fr. Mac wishing us all the best. The liturgy commenced in the lounge room with songs and readings followed by a homily given by two people. Included was a communion service the liturgy was concluded on the beach with a time of silent meditation and ceremonial throwing of rocks into the sea.

Needless to say that it was a long night after all that and that's why we have posted this late. There was a great deal of energy spent working out how to attack Christian on the last night. The first phase consisted of a bed full of sand. We all eagerly awaited him to come out and tell us off to commence our second phase. An hour latter no reaction. An hour and ten minutes he appeared to give his last academy award winning performance concerning noise levels. BUT NO MENTION OF THE SAND. Phase two fell apart. We only discovered this morning that this was a tactical response by Christian of ignoring it to take away all satisfaction. We also discovered that he had placed his bed across the door way and was prepared for the second phase.

This is our last entry. Today we spend the day packing up and cleaning up. We would like thank all who have followed us through these news letters on the net and have been praying for us. It has been a overwhelming experience and wonderful success.

Thank you all for your kind prayers and support over the last week.