Group organises a Ball for young people – with a difference.
Get you’re twinkle toes, tuxedos and ball gowns ready for the Chivalry Ball which a group of young Catholics are organizing for August 15 at St Kieran’s Parish in Osborne Park.
But the Chivalry Ball, as the name implies, will be an evening with a difference.
In an era when many balls are opportunities for binge drinking and parents wince in foreboding at the likely costs and possible consequences, the emphasis will be on balls as balls should be – an event with… style.
Ball organizer Montana McCann told The Record this week she and her friends are planning an evening of fun and relaxation for young people aged 15-25 in an atmosphere of elegance, grace and charm.
They have even set up a website to promote the event: www.chivalryballperth.blogspot.com
She said the inspiration came from being at the Embrace the Grace conference held at New Norcia in 2008.
The annual event organised by the Respect Life Office of the archdiocese runs over several days and nights and presents speakers on a range of topics relevant to the lives of young Catholics; a strong sense of youthful hi-jinks and fun dominates throughout.
“It was at the Embrace the Grace conference late last year that I first encountered chivalry in action,” she told The Record.
“A dinner had been organised at which the guys had to serve the girls for the night; they escorted us to the dinner hall, pulled out our chairs as we sat down for dinner and waited on us throughout the night.
“This experience left a deep impression on both myself and all the girls present. Not only did we realise what we’ve been missing out on, but it spoke to us on a much deeper level about our true dignity and worth.
“Initially most of us felt awkward because we knew that it wasn’t as if we couldn’t serve ourselves, but as the night went on we began to enjoy it and it made us think about why they were doing this – it wasn’t because we couldn’t do it for ourselves, but because they wanted to show us respect.”
Montana and friends Mark Tenney, Sarah Laundy, Sonia Spadacinni and Ross Fletcher are putting a lot of thought into the planning of the first Chivalry Ball.
A week before the event, on August 8, they will hold a formation day running from 10am-5pm at Holy Spirit Parish in City Beach with talks, discussions, games, ballroom dancing lessons and food.
Mass will also be celebrated at 11am on the day by Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate Fr Joseph Michael.
“Our goal is to create a fun Catholic youth event which encourages youth to take up the challenge of living a pure and virtuous life,” Miss McCann said.
“We hope that through the event young Catholics will be able to do this and create strong and lasting friendships with each other and will continue to support each other through the rest of their faith journey.”
She hopes talks on chivalry and modesty during the formation day will help.
“We hope that guys will gain an insight into how to show girls respect and honour at a time when society promotes the opposite and for girls, the opportunity to discuss and share the challenges they face, with a particular focus on dressing elegantl without having to be immodest, and acting according to their true dignity,” she said.
She and her co-organisers are planning a playlist of both contemporary and classical music so that there will be something for everyone.
Only 100 tickets will be available at a cost of $35 each (supper and drinks provided) and the evening will be alcohol free.
The dress code is formal; for girls, white dresses; guys, suits or tuxedos.
For further information contact Montana on 0405561211 or by emaiL at: chivalryball@hotmail.com