28 May 2018

Hundreds of secondary students from Melbourne Catholic schools took part in the Year of Youth forums last week at St John’s Regional College, Dandenong, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona, Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill, and St Monica’s College, Epping.

Bishop Mark Edwards and international artist Steve Angrisano explored the themes of the Year of Youth and the challenges and opportunities presented to our students. Steve Angrisano had everyone in stitches and in tears through his catchy songs and moving stories, while Bishop Mark shared his own story of vocation and treading your own path.

Students moved into sharing groups with a facilitator and listener to explore the questions that the youth of today are facing and wondering about. Everyone then came back together for a group question and answer session facilitated by Bishop Mark

‘During the Year of Youth Forum, I learnt that God has a plan for everyone and we just need to be open to his way. Life might not go the way you want it to, but when that happens you need to think of why God made you experience and trust in him,’ said Imogen from Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill.

It was inspiring to hear students ask informed questions and speak about the issues that they wanted addressed.