ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY REPORT:
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
29 Jun 2012
Live music featuring popular singer-songwriter Vanessa Trujillo, Pittwater's SOUL Band and great rock groups from Youth For Christ and the Immaculata Community along with a host of other super-talented performers are just a few of the attractions lined up for next month's week-long SCENE - the Sydney Congress Embracing the New Evangelism.
Starting on Wednesday, 11 July SCENE builds on the energy and enthusiasm of last year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and will once again include a three-day Vocations Expo in Martin Place.
Held for the first time as part of Sydney's WYD in 2008, the Vocations Expo is a key feature of SCENE and this year will include 40 different stalls to showcase a wide range of Catholic communities, resources, organisations and educational institutions. In addition, there will be live music daily, a lunchtime sausage sizzle and for coffee lovers, real cappuccinos brewed by a team of Capuchin Friars.
"Over the past few years there has been an increase in priestly vocations as well as a renewed interest among women in consecrated life," says Fr Michael de Stoop, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Director of Vocations.
In the past three years 20 young women from Sydney have entered religious communities. Vocations for the priesthood are also on the rise. Since 2006, 36 men have begun their priestly studies at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush or the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, Chester Hill.
"At each Vocations Expo one of the most common remarks from people is that they had no idea that there were so many religious communities," says Fr Michael.
At this year's Expo representatives from a wide range of communities will be on hand to answer questions and provide detailed follow-up information. Among those who will host their own stalls will be members of the Divine Word Missionaries, the Franciscans Friar Minor, the Little Company of Mary, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Ignatian family, the Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, St Columban's Mission, the Society of Jesus and the Capuchin Friars Minor.
In addition there will be stalls hosted by the Australian Catholic University, the University of Notre Dame, Campion College, the Catholic Adult Education Centre, the Catholic Education Office and the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family.
Also on hand at Vocations Expo 2012 will be members of the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catechumenate Office and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.
Another stall at the Expo will be run by staff and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society who will give details on the wide range of services offered by Vinnies, ranging from the Society's homeless services to its work with youth and employment, refugee services and counselling support for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown.
With the arts given a special focus at this year's SCENE and featuring many of the special pub nights and workshops being held throughout the festival, the three-day Expo in Martin Place will also have stalls hosted by Artes Christi, the Catholic Weekly and Love One Another Magazine and the Mustard Seed Bookshop.
For the business-minded, Catholic Super are also operating a stall and for the whole family, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family will be on hand along with stalls hosted by the Australian Family Association, and Couples for Christ.
"SCENE attracts thousands each year with the Vocations Expo an important element of the week- long festival," says Fr Michael admitting that for him, the three-day Expo is exciting, challenging and stimulating.
"The Expo is a wonderful opportunity for us to interact with Sydneysiders of all ages at a grass roots level," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
29 Jun 2012
Music a compoennt of SCENE
Starting on Wednesday, 11 July SCENE builds on the energy and enthusiasm of last year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and will once again include a three-day Vocations Expo in Martin Place.
Held for the first time as part of Sydney's WYD in 2008, the Vocations Expo is a key feature of SCENE and this year will include 40 different stalls to showcase a wide range of Catholic communities, resources, organisations and educational institutions. In addition, there will be live music daily, a lunchtime sausage sizzle and for coffee lovers, real cappuccinos brewed by a team of Capuchin Friars.
"Over the past few years there has been an increase in priestly vocations as well as a renewed interest among women in consecrated life," says Fr Michael de Stoop, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Director of Vocations.
Fr Michael de Stoop with students at
University of Notre Dame
"At each Vocations Expo one of the most common remarks from people is that they had no idea that there were so many religious communities," says Fr Michael.
At this year's Expo representatives from a wide range of communities will be on hand to answer questions and provide detailed follow-up information. Among those who will host their own stalls will be members of the Divine Word Missionaries, the Franciscans Friar Minor, the Little Company of Mary, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Ignatian family, the Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, St Columban's Mission, the Society of Jesus and the Capuchin Friars Minor.
In addition there will be stalls hosted by the Australian Catholic University, the University of Notre Dame, Campion College, the Catholic Adult Education Centre, the Catholic Education Office and the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family.
Martin Place this year will once again host a
Vocations Expo and lunchtime performances
celebrating the joy of Christ and the Christian faith
Another stall at the Expo will be run by staff and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society who will give details on the wide range of services offered by Vinnies, ranging from the Society's homeless services to its work with youth and employment, refugee services and counselling support for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown.
With the arts given a special focus at this year's SCENE and featuring many of the special pub nights and workshops being held throughout the festival, the three-day Expo in Martin Place will also have stalls hosted by Artes Christi, the Catholic Weekly and Love One Another Magazine and the Mustard Seed Bookshop.
For the business-minded, Catholic Super are also operating a stall and for the whole family, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family will be on hand along with stalls hosted by the Australian Family Association, and Couples for Christ.
"SCENE attracts thousands each year with the Vocations Expo an important element of the week- long festival," says Fr Michael admitting that for him, the three-day Expo is exciting, challenging and stimulating.
"The Expo is a wonderful opportunity for us to interact with Sydneysiders of all ages at a grass roots level," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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