Attendees are pictured embracing music during one of the daily praise and worship sessions. Photo: Matthew Lau.
By Matthew Lau
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world ablaze” – St Catherine of Siena.
The 2018 Embrace the Grace (ETG) youth conference vitalised some 120 Catholics to bolster their relationship with God.
The attendees, aged 16 to 25, ventured to New Norcia for this year’s ETG from 5 to 9 December for the betterment of their faith journey and to integrate themselves with like-minded souls.
Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) and Respect Life Office (RLO) co-ordinated the 14th ETG gathering, focussing on the theme that we are “Made for More”.
The ETG18 team, from left: Daniel Lazaroo, Sarah Paverd-Joyce, Bronia Karniewicz, Matt Lim, Vincent Haber, Marian Dela Fuente, Fr Mark Baumgarten, Adeline Bock, Theodorus Hartanto, and Nessya Santoso. Photo: Matt Lim Photography.
CYM Acting Director Vincent Haber believes this was one of the best ETGs in recent memory, building momentum for the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival at Perth Convention Centre from 8 to 10 December next year.
Amador Vargas Jr, Dr Paul Morrissey, Knights of the Southern Cross, Sr Rebecca Sampang, Eliza Matthys, Derek Boylen, Fr Robin Koning SJ, Fr Mark Baumgarten, Symon & Michelle Smyth-Kirk, Luke & Montana Bogoni, and Paul Kelly were the guest speakers who inspired those present over the five day conference.
For one of the sessions, the ETG partakers were split by gender into two groups.
Tristan Kolay and Thomas Seeber of the Knights of the Southern Cross WA gave an inspiring talk on how to face challenges as a Catholic man and about masculinity in the Church.
Luke Bogoni speaks to the youth about his vocation to marriage. Pictured with wife Montana (left) and religious sister Rebecca Sampang. Photo: Matthew Lau.
The young women were treated to a discussion about femininity and the importance of wholesomeness, facilitated by Schoenstatt Sr Rebecca Sampang.
Nessya Santoso, CYM Youth Ministry Worker, said the faith-filled five days of joy and worship were hugely beneficial to the young attendees.
“Everything ran really smoothly, I’m really grateful that a lot of different volunteers and leaders have helped in the lead-up and running of this event,” she told The eRecord.
“As event coordinator, I felt comfortable to let them take charge of themselves.
“I felt joyful that the participants have encountered Christ in many different ways.”
- Travis D’Souza, Jermaine Beins and Joe Ray take a moment to reflect during ETG 2018. Photo: Matthew Lau.
- Fr Mark Baumgarten, Fr Robin Koning SJ, and Fr Grant Gorddard celebrate Mass in St Gertrude’s Chapel on 8 December. Photo: Matthew Lau.
It was clear on the last day of the conference, she said, that the attendees departed full of joy and spiritually enriched.
“I think Perth is ready for more – we are ready to welcome a bigger festival that is coming in 2019.
“We know by seeing these participants that they are ready to receive more and learn more about Jesus,” Ms Santoso expressed.
“Listen to the Holy Spirit and do the best that we can as human beings; if we trust in God then we can do greater things.”
Derek Boylen was one of the guest speakers at this year’s ETG youth conference. Photo: Matthew Lau.
Derek Boylen, Director of Catholic Marriage and Fertility Services for the Archdiocese of Perth, was the keynote speaker on 7 December with a focus on “What to do when things don’t go to plan”.
As followers of Christ, he said, we must find means to accept that “somehow God has another plan that I have to adjust to”, and ask oneself: “what is God calling me to in my life?”
“There is so much to our life – failure in one area isn’t a reflection of who I am,” he explained.
“God has a big plan in mind for me, not a little plan.”
- CYM Acting Director Vincent Haber points to the sky during praise and worship. Photo: Matthew Lau.
- The St Joseph’s community group rejoice after being announced winners of the best chant competition prior to the Fr John O’Reilly mini Olympics. Photo: Matthew Lau.
Be open to feedback from people who know us well, he added, and when things do not go accordingly to plan, one of the healthiest things we can do is leap into action.
“Stay positive and hope. As Christians, we do hope as a people,” Mr Boylen said.
“What we can learn from the Cross is that He has a plan, and it is His plan.
“We can have faith because nothing can derail God’s plan – it is a good plan, nothing you can do can derail that. He knows you personally, intimately, better than you know yourself.
“God always answers our prayers, sometimes it’s not the answer you expect,” he concluded.