CHRISTCHURCH It was the homecoming Chris Lysaght wanted, but it came a little earlier than the new Catholic Youth Team manager had planned. Fresh from two years as parish associate in Brisbanes Daira Jindalee parish, Mr Lysaght came to New Zealand to await the arrival of his Australian wife Jocelyn and two-month-old son, Matthew. He feels blessed to be in the job and is looking forward to meeting Christchurch youth.

Born in Timaru and a St Bedes College old boy, Mr Lysaght moved to Australia after a Youth for Christ diploma in youth ministry and working as campus minister at St Thomas of Canterbury College.

But after two years doing sales, I received a tap on the shoulder from the Lord to go back into youth ministry, he said with a smile.

His previous job covered a wide variety of parish work, including catechesis in state schools and training parish leaders. It provided a strong grounding in the realities of parish life.

Now Christchurch diocese is offering big challenges, he said. Currently with a youth team of two, with one on maternity leave, part of his job is to put together a mission team of three or four to form a community and undergo training to lead retreats in schools. A programme of camps throughout the year includes the Ignite leadership camp to train senior students for parish youth ministry.

The May visit of internationally acclaimed speaker Jason Evert, an expert on the Theology of the Body, is on the horizon. Mr Lysaght also plans to run activities and retreats for 17- to 20-year-olds, many of whom omit church once they leave school.

He is expecting the Holy Spirit to act.

We have a plan, but its like a ship: The Spirit will change things and we have to go with the wind.