My Dear Young Friend by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. Image: Sourced.
By The Catholic Weekly
“What is my life for? What are my passions, hopes and ideals? Where do I belong and get my identity and meaning? Where, ultimately, will I find that ‘infinite joy’ for which I was made and my heart craves?”
Speaking directly to the deepest desires of young Catholics to do more and be more, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP identifies these questions and others as being those that occupy the hearts and minds of young people in the introduction to his new book, My Dear Young Friend.
“What next moves would make the most of me? In other words: what movie am I making with my choices and what is becoming of the main character?”
In 40 short letters, Archbishop Fisher seeks to respond to some of the questions so important to young people today.
With letters on topics such as truth, vulnerability, friendship, leadership, the problem of suffering, fear, vocation, mercy and new beginnings, the Sydney Archbishop provides short but nourishing answers to the big questions of life.
The letters in the book, Archbishop Fisher says, address questions that young people have raised with him over the years, throughout his pastoral ministry.
“Ponder, puzzle, wrestle with them,” he invites the young reader. “These are matters worth struggling with, laughing and crying over.”
Launching the book at the World Youth Day 10th anniversary celebrations in Sydney,
Archbishop Fisher encouraged young people to not just think quickly, but deeply.
“The challenge is to slow down and quieten down, enough to digest it all, exercise our critical judgement, sort out what’s really worthwhile,” he said.
He exhorted the hundreds of young people present to aim high: “Not only should you think deep, you should also think big. Think in terms of your country, your Church, the whole natural world and the whole social world”.
Finally, Archbishop Fisher reminded them to see the future and the possibilities that lay ahead as a mission and not a burden, reminding them that God always provides the necessary graces for the tasks with which he entrusts them.
From page 34 of Issue 15: ‘Archdiocesan Plan 2016 – 2021: Halfway mark filled with determination to commit to bring Church in Perth closer to Christ’ of The Record Magazine