Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
16 Feb 2012
Pope Benedict XVI's exhortation to "Make disciples of all Nations" is not only the official theme set for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, but the focus of the first-ever Lenten Program specifically designed for Australian youth.
Every year for almost 30 years, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catholic Adult Education Centre (CAEC) has produced a detailed booklet with an accompanying CD of prayers, reflections, readings and discussions designed in five sessions covering each Sunday during the 40 day period of Lent.
But this year, for the first time ever, CAEC has created a Youth version of its annual Lenten Program.
Designed and produced specifically for young people between the ages of 16 and 24, the Program promises to inspire young people across Australia whether they are involved with Catholic youth ministries, university chaplaincies, parishes, teachers and other community groups.
"Both the traditional version of the Lenten Program and our Youth version carry the same theme but in the Youth version the approach is different with songs specially written for the program by Fr Rob Galea, Steve Kirk and Gary Pinto," says Thomas Waugh, Director of CAEC.
Not only did these three favourite Catholic musicians write and perform songs for the Youth Lenten Program CD, but each also gives testimonies to their faith. In addition the Lenten Program for young people carries a powerful testimony from Jessica Langrell, the well-known Theology on Tap organiser and Student Chaplaincy Convenor at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.
Both versions of the Lenten Program for 2012 were designed and produced here in Sydney at CAEC's Lidcombe offices and as happens each year, will supply dioceses and parishes, youth ministries, organisations and communities across the country.
For the past several years, in addition to the traditional Lenten Program in English, CAEC has created an Italian version to meet the demand of parishes and communities among the large Italian populations of Sydney and Melbourne.
"But this is the first time we've created a Youth version," says Thomas Waugh, adding that the demand for such a version has grown exponentially since Sydney's World Youth Day in 2008 and last year's WYD in Madrid.
"Pride in faith and youth ministries have become an increasing feature throughout the Church in Australia," he says. "Young people have also embraced the New Evangelisation and understand it is not enough to witness your faith. You must move on from there and proclaim your faith and the good news of Christ."
Using vibrant, fresh graphics, contributions from popular Catholic musicians and youth leaders together with specially written prayers, testimonies and youth-oriented reflections and topics for discussion, the Lenten Youth Program of 2012 breaks new ground.
"The days when young people were embarrassed to admit they were Catholic to their peers have long gone. Thanks to World Youth Day there has been a resurgence with today's youth proudly proclaiming their faith and taking the message of Christ to the wider community," says Thomas.
But although this year's theme for the Lenten program echoes that set for WYD13 in Rio de Janeiro, he insists the message is not only for young people but for everyone, no matter what their age.
"When the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI took the significant step of establishing the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation as a Dicastery of the Roman Curia in September 2010, he provided us with a timely reminder that it is the duty of the Church 'always and everywhere' to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ," the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell writes in his introduction to both versions of 2012's Lenten Program.
Endorsing the choice of theme for this year's program, the Cardinal was confident those who used the program would be renewed in their relationship with Christ and find fresh impetus to ensure Australians of every background had the opportunity to encounter Him.
To obtain more information or to download either version of the Lenten Program for 2012 log on to www.caec.com.au
16 Feb 2012
Front and back covers of Youth Lenten Program for 2012
Every year for almost 30 years, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catholic Adult Education Centre (CAEC) has produced a detailed booklet with an accompanying CD of prayers, reflections, readings and discussions designed in five sessions covering each Sunday during the 40 day period of Lent.
But this year, for the first time ever, CAEC has created a Youth version of its annual Lenten Program.
Designed and produced specifically for young people between the ages of 16 and 24, the Program promises to inspire young people across Australia whether they are involved with Catholic youth ministries, university chaplaincies, parishes, teachers and other community groups.
"Both the traditional version of the Lenten Program and our Youth version carry the same theme but in the Youth version the approach is different with songs specially written for the program by Fr Rob Galea, Steve Kirk and Gary Pinto," says Thomas Waugh, Director of CAEC.
Lenten songs, prayers and reflections created specially
for Australian Youth
for Australian Youth
Both versions of the Lenten Program for 2012 were designed and produced here in Sydney at CAEC's Lidcombe offices and as happens each year, will supply dioceses and parishes, youth ministries, organisations and communities across the country.
For the past several years, in addition to the traditional Lenten Program in English, CAEC has created an Italian version to meet the demand of parishes and communities among the large Italian populations of Sydney and Melbourne.
"But this is the first time we've created a Youth version," says Thomas Waugh, adding that the demand for such a version has grown exponentially since Sydney's World Youth Day in 2008 and last year's WYD in Madrid.
"Pride in faith and youth ministries have become an increasing feature throughout the Church in Australia," he says. "Young people have also embraced the New Evangelisation and understand it is not enough to witness your faith. You must move on from there and proclaim your faith and the good news of Christ."
Thomas Waugh, Director of CAEC
"The days when young people were embarrassed to admit they were Catholic to their peers have long gone. Thanks to World Youth Day there has been a resurgence with today's youth proudly proclaiming their faith and taking the message of Christ to the wider community," says Thomas.
But although this year's theme for the Lenten program echoes that set for WYD13 in Rio de Janeiro, he insists the message is not only for young people but for everyone, no matter what their age.
"When the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI took the significant step of establishing the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation as a Dicastery of the Roman Curia in September 2010, he provided us with a timely reminder that it is the duty of the Church 'always and everywhere' to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ," the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell writes in his introduction to both versions of 2012's Lenten Program.
Endorsing the choice of theme for this year's program, the Cardinal was confident those who used the program would be renewed in their relationship with Christ and find fresh impetus to ensure Australians of every background had the opportunity to encounter Him.
To obtain more information or to download either version of the Lenten Program for 2012 log on to www.caec.com.au
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