By Sr Bernadette Toohey
While many young people are getting ready for a summer full of long hot days at the beach, and catching up with mates, some youthful folk from Sydney and beyond are preparing for a week of Catholic formation, sacraments, and community, at the upcoming Sydney Summer School.
For over 30 years, high schoolers and young adults aged 16-35 have been gathering at Summer Schools of Evangelisation in various locations for the chance to deepen and refresh their faith and start the year with God at the centre.
The Summer School program boasts an impressive breadth and depth of faith experiences for its attendees. Daily lecture streams, afternoon workshops on aspects of the Christian life, and evening sessions of praise and worship, are just some of the elements that combine for a transforming and life changing experience.
For Sydneysider Callum Hussein, 20, the chance to come to Summer School each year is one that is always high on the priority list.
“For me Summer School is a Holy Spirit led boost to my faith that prepares me for the upcoming year and draws me closer to God,” Callum said.
“It is spiritually enriching to spend the week partaking in Mass, adoration and reconciliation, while also journeying alongside like-minded young people.”
Each Summer School welcomes new participants who share in the experience and receive powerfully from what is on offer.
St Declan’s Parish Assistant Priest, Fr Josh Whicker (MGL) has amassed a group of 23 participants who will attend the school in 2025, with several of them first time attendees.
“As a parish with a large focus on evangelisation and discipleship of young people, we see Summer School as an important experience for a deeper encounter with Jesus and receiving intentional formation to live as a young disciple,” Fr Josh said.
Selina Hasham, a member of the Disciples of Jesus Community that organise the event, says the Summer School is hosted by a multi-generational team of young adults, families, lay, as well as consecrated men and women and clergy from the Missionaries of God’s Love Priests, Brothers and Sisters.
“It is such a gift to be able to draw young people into this unique experience of retreat, prayer, community and deepening in the Holy Spirit,” said Selina.
“We have front row seats to the incredible work of God in the lives of young people as the school unfolds.
“We are privileged to be a part of this important journey of formation and discipleship that Summer School provides.”
The theme for the 2025 Summer School, Lifted Up, refers to John 12:32: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
In choosing the theme, the event founder, Fr Ken Barker MGL wished to encapsulate the message of Jesus’ exaltation on the Cross. And that in saying yes to God we are, “lifted up out of our limited, fractured worldview and given a sense of the goodness, grandeur and power of God’s love.”
For Fr Ken, the theme also encapsulates the mission of Summer School to “lift up” our worship to God through the church’s liturgy and times of praise and worship and to be “lifted up” through the healing that comes through God’s grace.
Summer School is taking place at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville from 5-12 January 2025. Places are limited and registrations are available via summerschool.org.au.
