Faith burning bright
Local
United by a desire to deepen their faith, 270 young people, families and participants of all ages gathered for two days at the recent Adelaide Fire Weekend.
In its fourth year, the event was held at Blackfriars Priory School during the July school holidays and featured a program of interstate and local speakers, praise and worship, and the sacraments.
Event organiser, Missionaries of God’s Love Sister Bernadette Toohey, said a key aspect of the weekend was drawing young people into participation and leadership roles, with dedicated programs for primary school children and teens.
Young leaders played a major role in music ministry, sharing testimonies and leading the teen sessions. The event also provided opportunities for participants to hear from lay speakers on topics such as marriage, raising a Catholic family and evangelisation.
Hosted by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, the event featured interstate speakers including Stephen and Karen Kirk and Ellen Thomas from Canberra, as well as Fr Dave Tremble, Kate Atkins and Rachel Fleurant from the Missionaries of God’s Love. Local speakers included Dr Joanna Howe, Mel and Fernando Farrugia, Esma Gagliardi, Barb Conlon and presenters from Awaken Youth in the Adelaide Hills.
A praise and worship band comprising musicians from around Adelaide was led by Patrick Trainor and Rhea Thomas.
Several priests heard reconciliation throughout the weekend, a valued aspect of the program according to participants.
The opportunity to gather as a community of faith and pray together was another highlight.
“The Saturday night prayer teams, adoration and praise and worship by far was the most powerful thing I experienced all weekend. It was so amazing and just so beautiful seeing so many Catholics together…I loved it,” said teenager Sally Ryan.
Others noted the experience of sharing faith in small groups and deepening connections, with one participant commenting, “I came away feeling energised to have connected with so many other faithful people”.
Bernadette said working with a local team of gifted leaders to bring the event together was an indication that the future of the Church in Adelaide was very bright.
“It was really encouraging to see the unity between different groups and movements in Adelaide and to witness the gifts of so many great leaders and evangelists shining,” she said.
“It’s a delight to see so many people motivated and enthused to share the Gospel and growing more and more equipped and confident in doing so.”
Participants were encouraged to go back to parishes and ministries with a new vigour for evangelisation and living the life of discipleship.
For information on future events email adelaidefireweekend@gmail.com
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