Catholic student leaders show a maturity of faith at ‘LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop’ Diocesan Synod consultation

Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta are seen in discussion at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

At the annual ‘LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop’, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, joined with Year 12 student leaders of the Diocese of Parramatta in spiritual conversations.

Each year, Bishop Vincent spends a morning with student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese, and this year pivoted to become one of the many listening consultations being held for the Diocesan Synod.

Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta are seen in discussion at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

While there were still many young voices to be heard, an observer might have noticed a difference in how the conversations around the room took place.

A new method for group discussion

Instead of usual group discussions, the 83 students from 26 Catholic schools in the Diocese, took turns sharing for two minutes while the other members of the group listened silently. Afterwards, many students reported this method was new to them and focused their attention on the speaker, rather than what they themselves wanted to say, leading to a better understanding of different points of view.

Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta are seen in discussion at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

Each student was invited to consider the question: “Following years of Catholic schooling and from what you’ve shared and heard today, how is the Holy Spirit inviting us to live and share the Gospel across the Diocese of Parramatta?”

Executive Director struck by student reflections on faith

Bishop Vincent, and Executive Director of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Jack de Groot, listened intently as the students shared and responded how they have experienced their faith through their Catholic schooling.

Jack, in addressing the student leaders thanked them for representing the 45,000 students across the Diocese and commented that while there was great diversity of views, the session ran respectfully.

Jack de Groot, Executive Director Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese speaks to Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

He was struck, he said, by the reflections that showed young people are struggling between their individual faiths and the call of the Gospel to contribute to the good of society. He commented on the challenges to Church that the young people had expressed.

“You use and you’ve just shown to me, extraordinary capability of a faith that engages your intellect in your minds and your hearts,” he said. “And you want to imagine a different church. And this Synod process is about a difference about doing something new.”

Bishop Vincent commends students on maturity of views

Bishop Vincent commented on the maturity of views he had heard.

“You have engaged with the Catholic faith with your mind, with your spirits, with your hearts,” he said.

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, listens to Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Diocese of Parramatta

“The listening session shows the maturity of your faith, because it’s not about ticking boxes,” he said.

He explained the need for “Active listening, active serving and above all, active aligning with the inspiration of the spirit and the truths of the Gospel.”

He commented that even though the word ‘synodality’ may not be used by the students, he could see they were living the principles, which is about, he said, “taking ownership and responsibility for your baptismal commitments.”

Year 12 student leaders from the Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Parramatta are seen in reflection at the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

Students collaborated to create written submissions for the Diocesan Synod which arose from their spiritual conversations at the session.

More info and how to prepare a submission for the Diocesan Synod
View images from the LIFTED Breakfast with the Bishop