By Theresia Titus
Entries are now open for the St Vincent Pallotti Scholarship for Lay Ministry.
Valued from $500 to $3000, the scholarship aims to support “laypeople to further their understanding and skills in leadership, ministry or a specialised activity” such as “the promotion of faith enhancement, social justice and pastoral care”.
Two-time recipient Bernice Roche, Head of Ministry at St Mary MacKillop College in West Busselton, WA told The Record the scholarship had helped her send a group of her students to Australian Catholic Youth Festivals (ACYF).
Ms Roche was first awarded the scholarship in 2017, using the grant she received to enable her to send three of the school’s students to ACYF in Sydney.
The scholarship fund of $1000 she received last year provided an avenue for her students to participate at the ACYF 2019, held in Perth from 8 to 10 December.
“We used part of the scholarship fund to transport students to their rehearsal with Father Rob Galea. Fr Rob came to our College earlier that year and we were asked to perform with him during ACYF,” Ms Roche said.
“We were just trying to promote the mission of youth in our regional diocese. The scholarship helped young people to be a part of youth events that they might not be able to join had the fund not been available.”
Ms Roche said the application process of the scholarship was straightforward.
“I applied for the scholarship and the committee members contacted my referee,” Ms Roche said.
“[In my application], I told the committee that I wanted to promote the growth of youth involvement in Catholic mission at our school and parish by getting them involved at ACYF.
“I believed the students would benefit greatly from attending and getting involved at youth events as they would be able to share their experience with their community about what the young Church is like.”
Ms Roche expressed that the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers were “very generous” and “keen to get people involved in the Catholic Church”.
“As a regional community, the scholarship gave us the opportunity and we feel very honoured,” Ms Roche said.
“My passion is for youth and the scholarship has helped young people to witness the young Church and given them the inspiration to do more in our local region.”
Entries close 31 July 2020.For more information about the scholarship or to download the application form, Click Here