“The meaning of life, in a secular sense, is you. You are the centre of the meaning of life…But this is wrong. Because the meaning of life does not start with you, it starts with God… you are created, you need know your Creator and what He has done for you.”
This is the message that Fr Chris del Rosario, Assistant Parish Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, and the new Diocese of Parramatta Director for Priestly Vocations, told a group of young people at Theology Hour – a new initiative between Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) and Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Theology Hour was developed after listening to the desires of young people for formation in the Catholic tradition. It was established from conversations about allowing young people space at the table as they are, to not need to justify or rise to expectations of who they should be according to other people.
A participant asks a question during Theology Hour at the ACU Blacktown Campus. Image: Catholic Youth Parramatta/Supplied
In this space, young people get to come as they are, welcomed to the table, to learn, to ask questions, whatever their heart and mind desires. The hour provides an opportunity to demystify a concept that sometimes is perceived as unattainable for young people within the Church.
The first Theology Hour was hosted by CYP at the ACU Josephine Bakhita Campus at Blacktown on Friday 11 March.
Live music by Kristine Gerardino (@kirakira.mus), a local Catholic young adult, and music therapist, created a warm and vibrant atmosphere as people met and greeted, and ate various Filipino snacks from a local bakery in Blacktown. Over 25 people from across the Diocese of Parramatta gathered to discuss “Meaning and Purpose”, particularly in the context of moving beyond COVID-19 lockdowns.
Fr Chris passionately spoke of the connection between the first paragraph in the Catechism, to know, love, serve to God, and to our lives’ mission and purpose.
Fr Chris del Rosario, Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta, speaks during Theology Hour at the ACU Blacktown Campus. Image: Catholic Youth Parramatta/Supplied
Fr Chris called the young adults present to stay connected to Jesus by frequenting the sacraments and to return to church where they can become face-to-face with love and mercy. All young people are seeking for connection and to regain momentum in their faith after the long periods of anxiety and isolation, but Fr Chris invites us to “love like Christ” and to be a saint for today.
Raphael, a young adult who attended, said, “Theology Hour gives a great opportunity to provide the youth of the Diocese of Parramatta formation in both the spiritual and practical aspects of our faith”. He highlighted that the event gave young people in the diocese an opportunity to connect and build a community to grow together in their faith. “Prayer time is then supplemented with the talks that help us understand and grow in our faith,” he added.
Madeline Forde, Campus Pastoral Associate for Students at the ACU Blacktown Campus hopes that Theology Hour will showcase the uniqueness of the Blacktown culture and landscape with “music and conversation carrying across the track” as soon as you step onto the Blacktown train station.
Participants are seen during Theology Hour at the ACU Blacktown Campus. Image: Catholic Youth Parramatta/Supplied
“There is so much richness and diversity here in Blacktown, which I have enjoyed discovering, but would love to showcase even more so. Theology Hour is a space where young gifts, talents, wisdom, and curious minds have a place within the heart of Blacktown,” she said.
Theology Hour occurs every two months at ACU Blacktown Campus. The next Theology Hour is on Friday 13 May. Follow Catholic Youth Parramatta’s and ACU Campus Ministry Blacktown’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
Robyn Bailey is Project Coordinator for Catholic Youth Parramatta.
