Catholic Youth Services is the official agency for young people in the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Its mission is to actively promote and coordinate youth ministry activities within the Sydney Archdiocese. We work closely with parishes, deaneries, Catholic schools, groups and movements to shape and influence youth involvement in these areas. We strive to create an atmosphere of mission throughout the Archdiocese.

CYS runs youth ministry training programs and a range of events, camps and school retreats. We support youth leaders and youth ministries, provide resources, and acting as a reference point for youth ministry activities through the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Meet the staff of Catholic Youth Services:

Sean Finucane - Director

Sean is married to his amazing wife Maria and father of 3 awesome children. He worked previously at St Bernadette’s Parish Castle Hill for nearly ten years as their full time Youth Minister, running a dynamic youth ministry program for hundreds of young people. He has received training and formation in Youth Ministry through the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Life Teen in the USA. Sean has conducted youth ministry training workshops for many parishes throughout Australia. He has taught in both high schools and primary schools and both State and Catholic. He has a BA Dip Ed and a MA (Theology). Sean has been involved in youth ministry, in a volunteer and employed capacity, for over 20 years.

Annelise O'Brien-Muller - Events Manager

Annelise is 27 years old and resides in Greystanes NSW. She has over ten years of combined experience in Events, Hospitality Management and Business related study and work including an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management (with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) from the University of New South Wales. Annelise has received training through the Catholic Adult Education Centre and has been involved in youth ministry in a volunteer capacity for three years. Annelise has recently returned from Madrid, Spain where she co-ordinated Catechesis for World Youth Day 2011.

Annabel Sadaka - Administration and Parish Liaison Officer

Annabel is 27 years old with 9 years experience in ministry in a volunteer capacity. She has worked with children, teens and young adults, with a focus on empowering them with a knowledge of Christ that leads to love of Him. She has completed a BA and has received extensive faith formation and is currently completing a certificate in Youth Ministry at the Catholic Adult Education Centre. She has also participated in a 4 week, grace-filled live-in formation program, the Youth Leader Formation Course (YLFC) that focuses on the four pillars of formation: spiritual, mission, intellectual and community/human, and was commissioned with the ‘class of 08’.

Meet the CYS NET Mission Team:

Sydney Archdiocesan
CYS NET TEAM 2012

Back: Josh Walsh, Will Adamiak (Team Leader), Sam Brebner
Front: Jess Schmidt, Lucy Tauber (Team Leader), Roz Kelly

Will Adamiak (Team Leader)
Will is 24 and comes from Perrysburg in Ohio, USA but was born and raised in Brazil. Last year he was finishing his degree in bioengineering and working for a contract research organization. Will loves soccer, tennis, volleyball, video games, movies, philosophy and the beach. He wants to give to young people the happiness and hope of a brighter future in Jesus. His hope for this year is that God will work through him and use him as an instrument to make a difference in someone’s life. Will loves intellectual and stimulating conversation!

Lucy Teuber (Team Leader)
Lucy is 20 years old from Adelaide, SA. Last year, Lucy was on the National team travelling the country sharing her faith with young people everyday. Before that, she was studying to become a high school teacher at university. She loves working with young people and this year she hopes to give them hope by sharing the love of Jesus with them. Lucy is an amazing singer who loves music, dancing, horse riding … and whales.

Rozlyn Kelly
Rozlyn (Roz for short) is 23 from Swan Hill, Victoria. Before coming on NET she was studying a bachelor of Theology and worked as a College and Youth Assistant for St VInnies, Victoria. She like spending time with friends and family, watching footy (that’s AFL) and going to the movies. This year she wants to share her faith while having a lot of fun! An interesting fact about about Roz is that she was an Air Force Cadet for seven years!

Joshua Walsh
Josh is 25 years old from Brisbane and has studied in the field of Education. Before coming on NET Josh was working as a housekeeper and took on the job of DIY-ing around the house and home renovations. His interests include history, Warhammer 40,000 and computer games. Josh had a life changing experience of youth group as a teenager  and wants to give young people the opportunity to experience this too.

Jessica Schmidt
Jess is 19 from Melbourne. She has lived in Hong Kong before and is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology while being a Hungry Jacks drive through girl. She loves paying bass guitar, making fashionable outfits and cooking yummy desserts. Being young herself, she wants to connect with other young people to show them how much they are loved. One of her many talents is making a killer origami swan.

Samuel Brebner
Sam is 18 and comes from Tauranga, New Zealand. He has finished high school and loves all board sports – skating, surfing, snow boarding etc and also playing guitar and piano. His life was changed by a young missionary and wants to be able to be that person to other struggling young people. His hope this year is to grow in personal faith and to inspire youth. Sam loves to rap bro!