By Josh Low
‘Discernment’, ‘accompaniment’ and ‘listening’ were three key words regarding young people and their involvement in the Catholic faith that Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB invited some 150 people to reflect on at a ‘Year of Youth’ Networking Night this week.
Held at Servite College on 25 July, the evening began with an expo showcasing different groups and communities involved in youth ministry across the Archdiocese.
The expo was followed by addresses by Archbishop Costelloe, Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) Director Anita Parker and Religious Education Director of Catholic Education WA (CEWA), Dr Debra Sayce.
Participants also had the opportunity to break into small group discussions to reflect on specific questions on what could be done to serve young people and aid growth in the faith across the Archdiocese.
In his opening address, Archbishop Costelloe called for those present to think deeply into the question of how we make our parish and ecclesial communities ‘young people friendly’.
He explained that the purpose of the night was to draw on the wisdom of those in attendance to help grapple with some of the questions surrounding young people and their involvement in the faith.
“We have to look at how we can help young people to be involved in the life of the Church, in the way that we need and want them to be and the way the Lord is calling them to be.
“Hopefully tonight and also in the ongoing discussions that lead up to the Year of Youth, the Lord will inspire us and lead us to a deeper understanding of what it means to invite our young people to be a part of their Church, our Church but ultimately of course, the Lord’s Church,” he said.
The Archbishop added that both he and Bishop Don are ‘100% behind the Year of Youth’, which he said isn’t just ‘a bright idea of the Bishops’, but God’s gift to the Australian Church at this time.
“We want to provide as much support as we possibly can but most of all, all of us together need to talk to each other, listen to each other, support each other and learn from each other,” he said.
Anita Parker and Dr Debra Sayce both reiterated the Archbishop’s words in their addresses to attendees.
Ms Parker highlighted the need of discerning where the Lord is leading us in this ‘Year of Youth’ and the importance of working together to empower young people to be future leaders of the Church.
“Succession planning in our Church is something we need to consider and take action on right now.
“How are we looking at planning in our Church? Who will be in the future finance committees, who will be future catechists, readers or coordinators?
“How are we empowering our young people now to later take on these roles?” she said.
Dr Sayce spoke about forming, educating and accompanying young people in the development of their faith through the Catholic education system, by working with and supporting staff in Catholic schools.
She was also in agreeance with Ms Parker on the future of the youth and emphasised the importance of young people in the Church.
“Young people have a part to play in the Church. They are not only our future, but our ‘now’.
“If they’re not engaged, where will they be in the future? How we engage and give them opportunities for leadership growth in the faith is absolutely crucial.
“We look forward to the Year of Youth and working together in harmony to make sure the young people are really well served not just in our schools, but within our parishes and our Church community,” she concluded.