Students shine a light as missionaries of hope
By Wendy Shaw
Jesus wants the young people of Tasmania to be missionaries of hope, brightening the lives of others.
That was the message from Archbishop Tony Ireland to hundreds of Catholic school students at World Mission Masses at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on 21 October, and the Church of the Apostles in Launceston on 24 October.
In Launceston, Archbishop Tony spoke of the prophet Isaiah revealing God’s plan for lighting up the world.
His Grace explained: “Isaiah isn’t talking about fairy lights or torches.
“He’s talking about the light that shines from a generous and loving heart.
“Every time you share, forgive, or speak up for someone who’s being treated unfairly, you switch on that light. You don’t need to be rich or famous. You just need to care.
“That’s what Catholic Mission does in Zambia. Catholic Mission helps families find hope again: in schools, providing healthcare, and with kindness distributed from all over the world including Australia and in particular Tasmania.
“So when you take part in that mission, your light travels further than you can imagine.”
Archbishop Tony urged students to be: brave enough to care; proud to stand for justice and kindness, and; willing to shine God’s light wherever they go.
“When you’re merciful instead of mean, forgiving instead of fighting back, gentle instead of cruel, you are blessed. You are lighting the way,” he said.
“That’s what Jesus wants for you: to be missionaries of hope – people who brighten the lives of others.”
Rachel Prince, Catholic Mission’s schools and youth engagement officer for Victoria and Tasmania, based in Melbourne, attended the Hobart and Launceston Masses.
Speaking before the Launceston Mass, she said: “Mission Mass is important to bring the students in the diocese together to celebrate being one community and being missionaries of hope.
“We are hoping to ignite a spark in each of them to bring back to their communities. We want to drive support for Catholic Mission’s Socktober.”
Ms Prince said the Hobart Mass was ‘brilliant’ and it was “so wonderful to see all the kids come together, and the activities afterwards were fantastic as well”.
A similar program was planned for Launceston. The theme this year is ‘Missionaries of Hope’ with students taking part in ‘Socktober’ fund and awareness raising activities.
“Socktober asks school communities around Australia to get together and make sock balls – balls made out of plastic, and paper and string and old socks and material, to put themselves in the lived reality of children overseas,” Ms Prince said.
Some schools hold special sock days and a range of soccer-themed fundraising activities.
In Hobart, Archbishop Tony was joined by Vicar General Fr Shammi Perera, Fr Steven Smith and Deacons Michael Hangan and Michael Smith.
In Launceston, he was joined by Fr Ben Brooks, Fr Leonard Caldera, Fr Vinco Muriyadan, and Deacon Michael Hangan.
Students from as far away as Marist Regional College at Burnie attended the Launceston Mass.
When asked what they were most looking forward to from the day, Marist staff member Emma Dent said: “We are all excited to meet the new Archbishop.”
Catholic Mission is the Australian agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies. It gives funding and support to church-run initiatives in Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America as well as remote dioceses in Australia.