“Where are the young people?” It’s one of the most frequently asked questions among Catholics in the Diocese of Parramatta and beyond.
While census data indicates a shift away from religious affiliation and the National Centre for Pastoral Research reports lower Mass attendance, this question does reflect a genuine trend. But it’s not the whole story.
Local youth leaders at TFF ECHO at Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton. Image: supplied.
TFF ECHO draws a crowd
On the night of Friday 30 May, more than 30 young adults came together as a choir and band for The FaithFeed ECHO (TFF ECHO) at Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton. They led the community in a powerful evening of prayer and worship in a packed hall filled with parishioners, seminarians and priests from across the Diocese.
“I realised that music is a gift. And that I would use that gift to bring [God’s] message forward and bring people together,” Aiden Portugal said, a young adult leader sharing his life experience during TFF ECHO.
TFF ECHO, a spinoff of Catholic Youth Parramatta’s The FaithFeed initiative, was created in 2017 as a parish empowerment experience for those in their 20s, 30s and 40s. It remains one of the ways in which local Catholics and non-Catholics alike can share art and stories that cut through deeper and quicker with each other. It’s a space that goes beyond just talking about God or love – it’s about experiencing it. Sometimes, words aren’t enough. Sometimes, we just need to feel it.
“Tonight isn’t catechesis. Tonight isn’t a formation night. Tonight is simply prayer,” Mission Enhancement Team (MET) Facilitator Rachael Kama told the gathering.
“Prayer is a relationship of truth and love, between you, others and God.”
A large crowd worshipped at Plumpton Parish. image: supplied.
A meaningful experience
Spaces like TFF ECHO and other crafted spaces like the Plumpton Antioch community, The Courtyard (in Baulkham Hills), The Lounge (in Glenbrook) and Victus (in Blacktown) – to name a few – aim to be intentional spaces of accompaniment of young adult leaders towards parish integrated ministry.
Alongside her full-time professional work, Plumpton youth leader Claudine Bautista has shown a strong commitment to her parish by hosting weekly choral practices, singing at weekend Masses and participating in community-building initiatives such as TFF ECHO.
“Seeing the younger members of the choir step into their role in leading the community in prayer and reflection was definitely a highlight of the event,” Claudine said.
“Their ‘yes’ to share their gifts ultimately show their gratitude to God and echoes the way He is working in their lives.”
Youth choir member Vitoryna, or Ryna for short, shared how saying ‘yes’ to the invitation to sing with the choir would bring her home. “Every step – from the Samoan Catholic Community, to the children’s choir, high school choirs, my dad’s illness, to the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), my friendships and the silence – it all led me here,” Ryna said.
“Now I sing not to be seen, but to lift my voice in gratitude. Because my voice finally belongs to God again.”
Seminarian Macky Amores from the Diocese’s Holy Spirit Seminary, who attended the event, agreed.
“Music uplifts the soul. It’s a language of love. And it feeds our faith,” he said.
An invitation to encounter
Ryna’s experience is not too dissimilar from many of her generation. In fact, Generations Y and Z are reportedly the most open to saying “yes” to engaging with a Christian service or experience when personally invited. (McCrindle, 2021).
Additionally, Gen Z views and experiences to the transcendent has reportedly shown, “[A] latent openness to spiritual possibilities” and believing that “there is more to life than meets the eye.”
Participant Fololina resonated with Ryna’s story, which she shared with the TFF ECHO group.
“Your story – it’s a prodigal child story that’s the gift that keeps of giving. It’s tough, it’s rough. But it’s real,” Fololina said, describing it as “a song that we all could sing.”
Elise Marie Portugal, a young adult leader from Plumpton added, “FaithFeed ECHO was truly one of the best experiences I’ve had as a leader.”
“Watching the youth grow together in faith, and therefore grow as individuals, makes me feel so incredibly inspired and proud to be a part of the community.”
TFF ECHO and other experiences from the Mission Enhancement Team (MET) aim to spark energy, build momentum, and create a sense of critical mass — inspiring communities to kickstart or renew their own local initiatives.
Image: supplied.
Walking together
Plumpton Parish Priest Fr Gerard O’Dempsey OFM Cap was particularly keen on engaging MET and the TFF ECHO experience to launch a host of local evangelisation initiatives, from Antioch retreats to the Alpha program.
Both these programs emphasise the importance of hospitality and personal invitation when it comes to sharing the Gospel with others and connecting them to a church community. In fact, TFF ECHO is one of the many Diocesan offerings that MET provides. Such offerings are freely available for parishes and faith communities in the Diocese to use as access points to invite others from beyond the parish to a welcoming, safe and engaging experience.
And as supported by the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, such initiatives can inspire parishes to walk more closely together, foster a sense of community, and build an inclusive and welcoming Church.
“Whatever is happening in your parish or in the Diocese, [we] want to be there,” explained Rachael Kama, a MET facilitator.
“We want to be there with you walking alongside you towards a synodal Church.”
So to answer ‘Where are the young people?’, it seems that they are already here, if only we have the eyes to see them, the willingness to accompany them and the humility to celebrate them as equally our leaders in life & faith.
Donnie Velasco is a Pastoral Formation Facilitator in the MET team. Learn more about Mission on the Diocese of Parramatta website, or view our upcoming Events.
Save the date for these upcoming MET events:
- 20 November: Annual Bishop Vincent Vatican II Lecture
