“One who sings well prays twice.” – ancient proverb stated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
A young adult opens her eyes, having just led a prayer session in song; sitting in a dimly lit room amplified with ambient sacred music.
To her surprise, she sees a full room of adults among her with their eyes closed in prayer, and she is moved by the moment.
“Honestly one of the highlights of tonight,” she shared.
As one of several young adult band members leading prayer through music, she had witnessed the power of collective prayer through music and song at the Diocese of Parramatta’s first-ever The FaithFeed (TFF) ECHO event at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre in Blacktown last month.
Donnie Velasco, Pastoral Formation Facilitator in the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team speaking at the TFF Echo event. Image: supplied.
About TFF ECHO
TFF ECHO is a space that brings together creativity and music as a way of echoing the God of love who works within us, among us and around us. Spaces like TFF ECHO provide an access point for people of varying relationship with religion and spirituality to connect with the Church.
Through spaces such as TFF ECHO, adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s are encouraged to integrate faith in their lives.
Music plays a vital role in that integration, especially in Western Sydney where music is embedded in the culture of many communities.
Music therefore carries the connective power to bring together culture, spirituality, life and faith with an immediacy that is often unparalleled.
The hope is that places like TFF ECHO can be a surprise for those within and beyond Church – enabling them to see what intentional welcome, hospitality and sharing of the Good News can look like, so they can emulate it in their own lives.
Through The FaithFeed ECHO, attendees have a unique opportunity to network with others, including parishioners in the Diocese. This supports attendees to build closer connections in a casual setting, making it more accessible and inviting to be part of their local parish.
TFF ECHO participants in collective prayer through music and song. Image: supplied.
Reflections on the night
One of the leaders shared their thoughts following the prayerful event:
“You guys fill my cup! Love serving with you. Thank you for the invitation always!”
While many young adults attended, TFF ECHO also drew adults over 30 – adults who were single or had partners, children, and those with work and study commitments.
During the night they were acknowledged as part of the community village that supports the possibilities of adults of all ages to be given the opportunity to lead in faith development.
“It was a very wonderful and amazing night where we could feel the Spirit,” said a couple.
“I wasn’t expecting this, but I like it!” a young adult said as he entered the room and saw the fairy lights, bar stools and live band.
“I’m not a [music] praise and worship person, but I loved and enjoyed the night as a first-time experience,” another shared.
“I was more wondering if the Diocese could run a one-off evening at a parish,” said another.
For Fr Timothy Radcliffe, Dominican priest and previous Master of the Order of Dominicans, it is through the arts that one can be alive in God and exercise a deep and healthy Christian imagination:
“When I read a really compelling novel or see a wonderful film or tremendous music, I am liberated beyond my little world,” Fr Timothy said.
“I breathe fresh air! It is not an alternative to faith and reason, for all attempts to express belief and to explore it rationally are also acts of the imagination.
“It pervades all that we do and are, the oxygen of a truly human life.”
Donnie Velasco is the Pastoral Formation Facilitator in the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team.
Upcoming events
Interested in joining the next TFF ECHO session? Follow The FaithFeed on Facebook, visit The FaithFeed website, or stay up to date on our Diocesan events page for details.
The Diocese’s Mission Enhancement Team hosts many other life and faith programs, workshops and events. Check out the upcoming events below:
- 20 November – Annual Bishop Vincent Vatican II Lecture
