Catholic students across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn are being invited into one of the Church’s most important conversations through a new Student Voice project that will help inform the Archdiocesan Assembly in August. Source: Catholic Voice.
Students are participating in prayerful discernment sessions in schools, reflecting on questions about faith, purpose and their relationship with Jesus.
Project coordinator Chloe Kelly said hearing children’s experiences was vital to the Assembly process.
“Hearing and understanding the experiences, desires and needs of our children are integral to enable us to discern how we actively reach them in the day-to-day life and evangelising mission of our Church,” she said.
At Mt Carmel Primary School in Yass, Religious Education Coordinator Eva Karakotas said students embraced the reflective nature of the sessions.
“I was surprised that all students said that the sessions made them feel calm, quiet and peaceful,” she said.
Some students initially found the experience challenging, while others welcomed the opportunity to pause and reflect.
“It was relaxing, calming and quiet. It was a time to empty their brain and think of God.”
Students spoke about “listening to God, thanking God and their families, thinking about Jesus and his sacrifices, peace with their family and peace in the world”.
At St Clare’s College, Jessica Campbell said students revealed a deep desire for meaning and connection.
“Young people today are searching for purpose and a genuine sense of belonging,” she said.
“Many students expressed a desire to feel loved, accepted and secure in a world that often feels overwhelming.”
Ms Campbell said listening to young people was essential to the Assembly process.
“It is important that the Church listens to young people because they offer honest and valuable insights into the challenges and hopes they experience today,” she said.
“Strong themes of purpose, peace, stability and belonging emerged throughout the student responses.”
She said students were “not rejecting faith” but were seeking “authentic and relatable ways to connect with it”, with community, personal stories of faith and supportive relationships helping them build a relationship with Jesus.
As the archdiocese prepares for its Assembly in August, those voices will now become part of the wider discernment helping shape the future direction of the local Church.
FULL STORY
‘Your voice matters’: Students invited into Church discernment (By Jeanine Doyle, Catholic Voice)
