Youth Ministry News
Welcome back! It has definitely been a busy start to the term, one filled with wonderful opportunities for students to nurture our community and grow in their faith together.
Over the April school holidays, several students attended the Purpose Camp, a valuable opportunity for students from Sydney Catholic Schools to come together and grow in faith.
Please enjoy the reflections below from two students about their experience.
Nicole Katacos
Youth Ministry Coordinator
During the April school holidays, I had the privilege to take part in Purpose Camp held by Sydney Catholic Youth at the Benedict XVI Retreat Centre. The camp consisted of three days and two nights, where nearly over 100 school students from years 9-12 attended.
The camp started with talks from Fr Richard Sofatzis, who spoke of his journey to priesthood, and Fr Daniele Russo who spoke about vocation and the true meaning of happiness. The day was then followed by small, meaningful group discussions. At the end of the first night, a Mass was held and we did team building activities such as trivia and chants.
The next day was the first full day of the camp beginning with talks from Simon Carrington, founder of Fire Up Ministries, and his journey on being a devout Catholic and how we can be ‘Fire Up’ Catholics. This was followed with another talk on St Thérèse of Lisieux about how we can learn to appreciate the smaller things in life. In the afternoon, we completed activities such as a three-legged race and Jenga stacks. After sundown, we prayed the Rosary around the campsite, followed by an all night Adoration. At this time we were also able to partake in confession. The night was filled with the strong devotion for our Lord.
The next morning Benediction took place at 8am, and after that, it was time to pack our bags, have mass together for the last time, and head home.
After attending this camp many times over my high school years, I can firmly say that this camp has changed my faith and kept it constantly going in an uphill direction knowing there are other people who love the Lord just as much as me out there.
God Bless.
Talija Cakarun
Year 12
From Tuesday 22 April to Thursday 24th April, I was blessed to be able to attend the Sydney Catholic Youth Purpose Camp 2025. It was my second time attending the camp.
Purpose Camp comprises different activities while incorporating talks and other activities to help us Catholics grow spiritually. On the first day we did some ice breaking activities and heard from Fr Richard Sofatzis who spoke about this journey to priesthood from Orthodoxy to Catholicism. We also heard from Fr Daniele Russo speaking to us about our purpose in life and about our vocations and about happiness.
On the second day, a man named Simon Carrington spoke to us about how to be ‘fired up catholics’ and how we can maintain our faith in the modern world. Female students then learnt about how to maintain their femininity and how to understand the concept of the ‘Feminine Genius’; the 4 virtues of generosity, maternity, receptivity and sensitivity, given to women from God that aid us to live life.
Later in the afternoon, Simon spoke to us about St Thérèse of Lisieux and how “small acts with great love” are crucial in our lives on our journey to heaven.
After dinner, we participated in a Rosary procession. We walked around the centre with lit candles, and knelt in front of the crosses on the hill. We then participated in Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Attending Adoration in the early hours of the morning was such a peaceful and beautiful time to spend with the Lord.
On the last day of camp we had Benediction in the morning and after breakfast we all played outside on the tennis courts, soccer field and on the volleyball court. We reflected on our time at camp and were sad to leave but so grateful for the experience. The camp was not only an eye opening experience but allowed me to connect deeply with my faith and continue on my spiritual journey to becoming a ‘fired up catholic’.
I hope that many others will continue to go to this camp as it’s an amazing experience to strengthen your faith and to connect with people who share the same morals and faith.
God Bless.
