On Friday, 14 March 2024, the Perth Vocations Office hosted a Vocations Conversations session at Mater Dei College.
Led by Perth Vocations Director, Fr Joseph Laundy, and Dr Debra Sayce, Head of Mission Enhancement and Outreach – Archdiocesan Agencies, the event engaged 195 Year 10 students in discussions about faith, purpose, and the different paths to living out a vocation.
Encouraging a Culture of Vocation in Catholic Schools
The Vocations Conversations initiative is part of the Schools Vocations Encounter Program, designed to support the Catholic Religious Education curriculum. This program helps students understand vocation as a calling from God, whether it be in marriage, religious life, priesthood, or single life.
Inspired by the ABC Conversations podcast format, the 45-minute session allowed students to explore real-life stories of vocational journeys.
The lead-up to the event included classroom discussions based on two autobiographical books From Lab Coats to Vestments: When God Has Other Plans by Fr Joseph Laundy and Faith in Action: When Believing is Not Enough by Dr Debra Sayce
During the session, Catholic Youth Ministry Formation Coordinator, Le-An Duong, interviewed Fr Joe and Dr Debra, delving into their personal experiences, challenges, and insights on vocation.
The event concluded with a Vocations Information booth, where students could learn more, take home prayer cards and stickers, and explore their own calling.
Fr Joseph Laundy: From Medical Science to Priesthood
First to take the stage was Fr Joseph Laundy, who shared his personal journey of discernment. Originally studying medical science at Curtin University and working at St John of God Hospital, he felt a quiet yet persistent call to the priesthood.
Taking a leap of faith, he resigned from his job at the laboratory and entered St Charles Seminary in order to seek more clarity for God’s call in his life.
In the interview, Fr Joe spoke candidly about his struggles and insights, addressing questions such as: “How did you recognise God’s call, and what advice would you give to someone trying to figure out their path?” and “What was the biggest challenge you faced when transitioning from science to priesthood?”
One question that particularly engaged the students was about Fr Joe’s love for sports. He compared answering God’s call to training in sports:
“When I’m swimming, my coach might tell me to do 200 meters of freestyle or practice breaststroke. I could ignore the coach and do my own thing, but that wouldn’t help me improve. Similarly, following God’s call means hearing, listening, and responding—even when we don’t fully understand the purpose.”
Fr Joe encouraged students to trust in their ‘spiritual intelligence’—the inner sense that guides them in making big life decisions.
Dr Debra Sayce: Living Out Your Faith
Dr Debra Sayce followed with a discussion on the importance of living out one’s faith, with a clear and strong message that: Faith is not just something you believe—it’s something you live.
During her conversation with Le-An, she spoke about the role of Catholic education in shaping students both academically and spiritually. She answered questions such as: “How have you integrated and advocated for faith in teaching to help students grow?” and “What advice would you give to students who are unsure about their purpose or calling?”
Dr Sayce explained that faith is about action, not just words: “Being Catholic isn’t just about saying prayers or going to Mass. It’s about how you treat people, help others, and make the world better. Your calling is to be the best version of yourself.”
She emphasised that young people are not just the future of the Church but its present. “Your energy, curiosity, and passion for social justice bring life to our communities. Stay open to opportunities to put your faith into action and serve others. If you close off faith in your life, how will you know what’s possible?”
A Successful and Meaningful Encounter
Teachers and students alike responded positively to the Vocations Conversations with Fr Joseph and Dr Sayce, with Mater Dei’s Head of Religious Education Liz Williams commenting: “Thank you to the Perth Vocations Office for your dedication to helping our students explore their vocations. Your work has made a significant impact on their personal and spiritual growth.”For schools interested in similar Vocations Encounter presentations, conversations, or retreats, visit: https://vocations.perthcatholic.org.au/schools-universities/
