Acts2COME graduates inspired to ‘set the world on fire’ with love for God

01 Mar 2017

By Joshua Low

The new graduates from the Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation. Back row: Isabel Brown, Amanda Ratajczak, Catherine Sardinha, Jacinta Burns, Elizabeth O’Connor. Front row: Lionel Lewis, Samuel Borg, Stephen Carter. Photo: Josh Low
The new graduates from the Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation. Back row: Isabel Brown, Amanda Ratajczak, Catherine Sardinha, Jacinta Burns, Elizabeth O’Connor. Front row: Lionel Lewis, Samuel Borg, Stephen Carter. Photo: Josh Low

By Josh Low

Being a tangible sign of God’s love to others was one of the key points mentioned by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey to eight young people graduating from the Acts 2 College of Mission and Evangelisation (Acts2COME) this past Sunday.

The eight graduates all completed one year of full time study, receiving a Certificate IV in youth ministry, becoming the 12th year group to graduate from Acts2COME.

In his address to the members of the Class of 2016, Emeritus Archbishop Hickey encouraged them to put the knowledge and experience gained from their studies to practical use, and called for them to take courage in being witnesses to the way God can change human lives.

Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey was present at the graduation ceremony, and called for the young people to take the knowledge and experience gained, out into the world to be witnesses of the Gospel. Photo: Josh Low

“When we look at the world, there is no doubt that people need to experience a personal encounter with Jesus.

“We have to go out and take the Good News that we have received, out into the world.

“There is a great need not just for the Pope, priests and religious, but for the laypeople of the Church, to be out there in the world, living the Gospel,” he said.

Graduate Amanda Ratajczak, said that it had been an incredible experience for her, in learning about the Word of God in light of Catholic teaching, and delving into the heart of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“Studying at Acts2COME was really amazing and beneficial to the development of my faith.

“We now have a deeper understanding, not just of the beauty of our faith in terms of our relationship with God, but also of what the Catholic Church actually teaches,” she said.

Ms Ratajczak added that she and her fellow graduates now had the opportunity to take what was learnt and experienced, and apply it to their lives.

“Through experiencing the amazing fellowship, course content and spiritual growth that we were provided, we’ve all been inspired to go out and ‘set the world on fire’ for God by his grace and love,” she said.

Emeritus Archbishop Hickey concluded the ceremony by calling for the graduating class, as well as the other young people present, to walk together in the faith as a community, guided by the Holy Spirit.

“May your love for Jesus be evident in everything you do and say, and may the Holy Spirit direct your minds and hearts so that you may be great evangelisers as well as followers of Jesus,” he said.