In the lead up to World Youth Day celebrations in 2013, Pope Francis had one message for young people all over the world. Via Twitter, he encouraged young people to celebrate their talents as gifts and not be afraid to “dream of great things”.
It was a powerful message, one that has inspired the theme of this year’s Catholic Education Week: “Entrust yourselves to God and dare to dream”.
Held from March 15 to 23, Catholic Education Week invites Catholic schools from across Melbourne to celebrate their faith and identity. The Catholic Education Office hosts three big events, with 329 Catholic schools across Melbourne taking part.
The largest gathering will be on St Patrick’s Day, when more than 2000 students are expected to fill St Patrick’s Cathedral for morning mass, followed by a march to the Treasury Gardens for a lunchtime concert.
Catholic Education executive director Stephen Elder says the students’ procession through the streets of Melbourne displaying their school emblems has been an annual tradition since 1998.
This year’s theme is perhaps best reflected in the other two major events hosted by the Catholic Education Office: the Visual Arts Exhibition and the Young Speakers Colloquium. The exhibition displays the best of Catholic student art, with prizes awarded in 14 categories across primary and secondary levels.
Of the nearly 300 pieces on display to the public, four were submitted by students in year 11 and 12 at Catholic Ladies’ College in Eltham.
CLC art teacher Ann Durham says the school has contributed work to the exhibition for many years, relishing the chance to recognise students’ achievements and celebrate the school’s role in Catholic Education.
“The arts give students the means and opportunity to explore, express and understand what is happening in their world, and can provide the opportunity for the expression of individual faith,” she says.
PCW Melbourne has submitted five pieces to the exhibition this year, including a large self-portrait by former student Elaine Leong.
Leong, who was PCW dux last year, used layers of fingerprints to create a piece illustrating a very personal struggle with an impulse control disorder known as dermatillomania.
Another event that’s sure to inspire lofty ambitions in students is the Young Speakers Colloquium on March 20. Catholic secondary students will have the opportunity to hear the personal stories of three inspiring young Victorians.
Brooke Parsons co-founded the Young Victorian Stroke Support Group after suffering a stroke at the age of 13. Along with landscape architect and sustainable-design advocate Lucinda Hartley and Collingwood Football Club captain Nick Maxwell, she will share her experiences and visions for the future of young people. Elder says the forum will be valuable for older students as they prepare for their transition into adulthood.
“Hearing stories of how other young people have overcome challenges and reached for their goals is a compelling way to help students visualise what they want to achieve in life.”
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… The Catholic Education Week Visual Arts exhibition is open to the public in the Catholic Leadership Centre (cnr Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street, East Melbourne) from March 15-22. Visit www.ceomelb.catholic.edu.au for opening times.
