At an age when they are figuring out where they fit in the world, students from 13 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta recently reflected on the role God plays in their lives and who they are called to be.
Inspired by the liturgical season approaching Pentecost, 180 Year 10 students sang, danced, prayed and listened as part of LIFTED Unleashed at Novotel Sydney Rooty Hill on Friday 19 May.
The LIFTED programs, organised by Catholic Youth Parramatta in collaboration with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, give young people the experience of community, faith and God’s love in their lives, says Qwayne Guevara, Manager, Catholic Youth Parramatta. They are about giving young people a different encounter of faith.
Year 10 students are seen during LIFTED Unleashed – organised by Catholic Youth Parramatta in collaboration with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“We want to be able to show young people that you can go and make a difference in another person’s life, just by being you,” she told the students.
You are made to be loved and affirmed
Students heard from special guest speaker, American speaker, author and marriage ministry maestro Chris Padgett, who told them the importance of developing a relationship with God.
“You are all made to be seen. You are made to be loved and affirmed, and the truth is we want that and sometimes we’re so desperate for it, that we’ll settle for a variety of things to feel that affirmation,” he explained. “But God is inviting us to look at life a little differently.
American speaker, author and marriage ministry maestro Chris Padgett speaks to Year 10 students during LIFTED Unleashed – organised by Catholic Youth Parramatta in collaboration with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“God keeps putting you into these scenarios and situations where you can have a taste of what it would look like to be loved. A relationship with a person isn’t just a feeling, it’s not just an emotion, that relationship is a full contact sport, it’s everything.
“God knows your name and loves you intimately and personally. He wants what’s best for you. He sees you, the potential and the possibility and He’s cheering you on. God does not leave you abandoned, He intervenes and is constantly present when we struggle. He aches and weeps with you with all of your aches, struggles and sufferings.
“If you allow God to love you, my brothers and sisters, you will change the world. Because love does conquer hate.”
Year 10 students are seen during LIFTED Unleashed – organised by Catholic Youth Parramatta in collaboration with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Be who God made you to be
Describing the uncertainties that the young people may be experiencing, Chris encouraged the students to remember that “Jesus picks me”.
“You want so much to figure it out where you fit and you’ve got this preconceived idea that says, ‘if I do this, if I do that’, then I’ll finally be happy. But the kids and the adults that we idolise are themselves often not happy.
American speaker, author and marriage ministry maestro Chris Padgett speaks to Year 10 students during LIFTED Unleashed – organised by Catholic Youth Parramatta in collaboration with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“God is not asking you to be like anybody else. He didn’t make you to look like anybody else. When God looks at you, he sees somebody who is not repeatable, imitate-able and different. He looks at you and says, ‘you are exactly what I am looking for.’
“As St Francis de Sales said, ‘Be who God made you to be, and be that perfectly well’.
“Each of us are called to be saints. All we have to do is say ‘yes’.”
Chris Padgett across the Diocese
During the same week, Chris presented at the LIFTED Jr event for primary school students, as well as offering advice to married couples at the annual Faith in Marriage Seminar.
View images from LIFTED Unleashed here or below:
