Our youth show the church is full of life

By Julian Vieira

“The church is not dead, it is not even tired!” (Benedict XVI). 

During the Jubilee Year of Hope, Sydney Catholic Youth (SCY) witnessed first-hand the joy and faith of young people from all across Sydney.   

In April, the SCY team organised a sell-out camp for students in Years 9-12 offering fraternity and formation across three days.  

During the school holidays, a time most students would spend sleeping in and hanging out with their friends, more than 100 students gave up this time to spend learning more about their faith and growing in friendship with The Lord and their peers.   

A real highlight of this camp was the number of Year 12 students who expressed their sincere interest in becoming involved in leadership within the church.   

In a society plagued by indecision and lack of commitment, these Year 12s not only offered while on the camp to come back as a leader but followed up afterwards sending emails asking the SCY team of any leadership opportunities.  

Building on the momentum of the Fidelis, Purpose Camp and the Purpose High sessions, the Purpose Festival saw more than 1,500 students and young adults flock to Rosebank College in Five Dock for a one-day festival.   

There, participants were given the opportunity to participate in a virtual reality tour into the life of the now St Carlo Acutis.  

With input from international guest speaker Fr Gregory Pine and our very own Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and Sydney priest Fr Gregory Morgan, participants were encouraged to not just drift with the current of society, but to be counter cultural; to be saints.   

Encouraged by such an incredible witness of so many other young Catholics, the participants left with faith shored and friendships blossoming.  

The opportunity to travel to Italy with Archbishop Fisher for the Jubilee of Youth was an experience that none of the 60-plus Sydney pilgrims will ever forget.  

From private Masses on the high altar of the Duomo of Florence to sleeping on pieces of cardboard in the fields of Tor Vegata with one million other pilgrims, the trip truly ignited the faith of the young people and showcased the breadth and history of the Catholic Church.  

Rebecca from St Michael’s parish Meadowbank said attending the Jubilee of Youth was one of the best experiences in her life.  

“Rome was heaving with young people from all over the world, which was incredible to see. We were able to visit so many churches and see relics from the early church, as well as venerate relics from saints,” she said.  

“It gave me a whole new understanding of the history of the church and added a new dimension to my faith entirely.”