CAMPUS Ministers, Chaplains, and Youth Ministers from across Brisbane and beyond had an opportunity to reflect, recharge and return to their school feeling renewed following a Youth Ministry Colloquium.
Organised by BCE's Catholic Identity team, the group enjoyed two days of networking, connecting, brainstorming, and reflecting.
St Mary's College Ipswich Campus Minister Felicity Jones said the group was challenged over the two days to think about the future of the Church and their ministry; to suggest ideas, events, and plans to support students and staff in their Faith as they moved forward.
Felicity said group members shared their opinions and engaged in discussions about Church teaching, personal experiences of the Faith, and struggles within their ministries.
She said through the various workshops, they were given the time to focus and replenish themselves.
They also heard from two keynote presenters, Dr Peta Goldburg who unpacked Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli tutti, and Fr Joe MacKay who spoke about Faith in the Future.
Fr MacKay also led a beautiful Mass for the group.
Felicity said a personal highlight was praying a small group rosary on the beach, with the sand and waves stretching out for miles before them.
“It was wonderful to come together, ask for Mary's intercession, and offer up our personal intentions," Felicity said.
“It was simply wonderful to connect through prayer.
“From this experience, it became clear that it was a blessing to be able to come together as a community," she said.
Felicity said the two days were filled with many different moments of encounter for all the group.
“This highlighted the beauty of the faith and our role in schools; we ourselves witness students encountering God in diverse ways," she said.
“No matter where you come from, or where you're at on the journey, God will meet you, embrace you, and lead you forward."
She said she would continue to pray for the ministries happening within our schools.
“That we may be the hands and feet; the body of Christ in the world today."
She thanked Project Officer - Student formation Steph Unger and the BCE Catholic Identity team for planning and running the colloquium.