With an increasing feeling of social isolation amongst our society, young people across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have been reminded of their calling to a community where they can grow and love in service, at a special Theology Hour held at Campion College.
Dr Kevin Wagner, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Post-Graduate Theology Coursework Program Coordinator at The University of Notre Dame Australia gave an engaging keynote address on the evening.
Dr Wagner and his wife run La Communauté de l’Emmanuel in Sydney, a global community of lay people and priests at the service of the mission of the Catholic Church through adoration, compassion and evangelisation across 60 countries worldwide.
Dr Kevin Wagner delivering his talk during Theology Hour, a collaboration of Catholic Youth Parramatta and Campion College, Toongabbie, in October 2024. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Dr Wagner expressed the importance of life in community, and how it can aid young people in uniting with others in their love for God to share the good news of God’s love and his plan with others.
Dr Wagner said this is to help them to come to know the source of love, God himself.
“Life in community helps us to become who we’re made to be. If you haven’t found your place in a good and healthy community, then I’d encourage you to start searching for one that works for you,” he said.
“We need to fight back against a culture that glorifies consumption, personal gratification and self-centeredness.
“We really need to actively search for a place to nurture our faith and to be on mission, to really give ourselves. And that’s really the Christian call, to be united with God and with our neighbours in order to build up the kingdom,” he added.
Participants discussing Dr Kevin Wagner’s talk at Theology Hour, a collaboration of Catholic Youth Parramatta and Campion College, Toongabbie, in October 2024. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Dr Wagner explained how Christian communities can play a key role in re-evangelising the West by being “united in their love for the Lord and each other”.
“Outsiders are going to be naturally attracted to that community,” he said.
Dr Wagner emphasised the inherent human desire to live in community, drawing on examples from the second creation story in Genesis 2, the Book of Acts, and the lives of early hermits like St Anthony the Great, St Pachomius, St Basil the Great, and St Augustine of Hippo.
He highlighted how all these people needed a community in some aspect to live and spread the Good News. Community is deeply embedded in our identity as human beings and plays a vital role in our Christian lives.
Participants during the Q&A with Dr Kevin Wagner at Theology Hour, a collaboration of Catholic Youth Parramatta and Campion College, Toongabbie, in October 2024. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Attendee Max said the evening was both informative and inspiring.
“It was a great opportunity to appreciate our need for community by the example of the Desert Monks of the Early Church,” Max said.
“One thing that I’ll take out of it is that even hermits don’t live completely isolated lives.
“How wonderful that God made us to not only give but to receive as well!”
Another attendee, Joel, said the comments by Dr Wagner were “insightful”.
“It highlighted how through community we can re-evangelise the West, creating more intentional disciples united in love of God and each other,” he said.
Theology Hour is a collaboration between Catholic Youth Parramatta and Campion College, which aims to create a deep understanding, connection and appreciation of the Catholic faith.
View images from Theology Hour here or below:
