Soul Youth Ministry

 

Catholic Parish of Pittwater.

(Mona Vale & Avalon, NSW, Australia).

 

We have a range of youth groups and activities for young people ranging from primary school through to young adults. Youth mass, music, prayer, scripture study & discussion, small groups, adoration, reconciliation, games, food & fun for everyone.

 

 

Leadership

 

Fr George Kolodziej sds

Parish Priest

The Parish Priest is Fr George Kolodziej sds. He came to Pittwater Parish in 2008. He came from Poland to Australia in 1994 where he quickly learned English.

 

He spent six years in Perth at Caroline Chisolm College as Chaplain. From there, he moved East to become Chaplain to St Leos College Wahroonga. He was also Assistant Priest (at weekends) in the Pymble Parish for two years. Whilst remaining as full time Chaplain at Leos, he was then transferred to St Patricks Church, East Gosford where he was Assistant Priest for six years.  Whilst in Gosford, Fr George was also involved in the rehabilitation of people with addictions.

 

Fr George is a registered Clinical Psychotherapist. He has two Masters degrees with specialties of Theology, Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care. His key interest is church ministry, helping people to find God in their lives and to discover that He loves them. In his spare moments, which are few, he likes to travel. He speaks a number of languages (five or six at last count).

 

Fr Robert Masternak sds

Assistant Priest

 

Fr Rob came to Australia from his home country Poland and was Assistant Priest at Esparence Parish, and East Gosford Parish before becoming Assistant here at Pittwater in 2013.

 

Soccer is one of his passions and he plays in a competitive futsal tournament on the beaches. He also enjoys music, beach, theology, and youth ministry. He is popular with the youth and his funny sense of humour.

 

Bishop Benard O'Grady

Assistant Priest

 

Bishop Bernard O'Grady,  a member of the Dominican Order (Order of Preachers, OP) arrived in Pittwater Parish in January 2008 as the "Priest in residence", living in the Avalon Presbytery.

 

Born in Adelaide, Bishop has spent time in ministry in the Solomon Islands, Canberra, Papua New Guinea, and the Kimberly.

 

Bishop says daily Masses and Sunday Masses and helps with ministry and liturgy at Maria Regina Catholic Primary School. He likes to see a good film, watch Richmond play in the AFL (hoping for better times), and following his other sports such as cricket, tennis and cycling.

 

Simon Peter Hyland

Youth Minister

 

Simon is a professional actor and musician with a career in theatre, film and television. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and more than 15 years industry experience. In 2005/06 Simon spent a year in London where he performed on the West End playing ‘The Thief’ in Easter Tales.

 

His professional experience includes Miss Saigon, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Show Boat, The Boy from Oz and Hair the musical. He was in the film South Pacific with Harry Connick Junior and for 3 years was the host of Nick Junior on Foxtel Digital.

 

 

Whilst in England, Simon began a Diploma in Youth Ministry and Evangelisation. It was a correspondence course through Maryvale Institute and Cambridge University and Simon graduated with a distinction in November 2006. This degree adds to Simon’s 20 years of music ministry in the church. He is a composer of music and has written and recorded various Christian albums including his own setting for the parts of the mass.

 

For 7 years Simon has worked as youth minister of Pittwater Parish. He is extremely passionate about building up young disciples for Jesus and creating music that young people can connect with. 'SOUL' is now well established in Pittwater Parish and provides many young people the chance to learn about the Gospel every week. SOUL mass is a musical setting of the mass parts which was written specifically for youth. In August 2011 Simon led the SOUL band to perform in front of 1 million people as part of the World Youth Day celebrations in Madrid.

 

 

Stephen Maiolo

Youth minister – junior

After serving as junior youth minister at the parish between 2011 and 2013, Stephen has joined Youth Mission Team, and is on the Melbourne Team for 2014. This is a one year volunteer committment, helping organise and run high school retreats, camps and youth groups. We at Soul will miss him. Pray for Stephen, and wish him well on his facebook. 

 

Josh Willard

Music Director

Josh was employed at the parish as the music director at the start of 2012 and has flourished in the role since day one. He's so far had a terrific impact on the music ministry at the parish with his terrific musical talent, leadership, and his friendly nature. Josh also teaches saxaphone to an array of students across the northern beaches and performs at many gigs from weddings to funerals to hotel entertainment right across the state. Josh has almost completed a bachelor of Music Education, majoring in Jazz Performance at The Conservatorium of Music, Sydney.