SENIOR students from Catholic schools of Brisbane archdiocese came away from the annual Powerhouse of Leaders energised and determined to never give up on their goals.
This was the fourth year Brisbane Catholic Education has run the spiritual formation and leadership day at Brisbane’s Powerhouse and the second attended by Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane.
Keynote addresses were given by Archbishop Coleridge and Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin, who recounted his own life story as “Mao’s last dancer”.
Li defected from China and became a world-renowned ballet dancer.
The Archbishop spoke on leadership, and Li urged students to live their dreams now, and not to wait until tomorrow.
United States musician, composer and youth minister Steve Angrisano also proved a hit with students, leading them in song and worship.
Archbishop Coleridge described the day as an extraordinary initiative.
“It was the first thing I did when I became Archbishop of Brisbane and I was amazed at its energy and creativity then and I find the same this year,” he said.
“I find that to get the school leaders together like this is one of the more creative things I’ve seen done anywhere so I think it’s excellent and I’m delighted to be part of it.”
The Archbishop said the students attending were outstanding young people.
“But that’s no surprise. These are young men and women who have had the incredible gift of 12 years of Catholic education,” he said.
It was the first Powerhouse of Leaders for Pam Betts in her role as BCE executive director.
She was impressed by the calibre of the student leaders present.
“I think if this is an indication of future leadership within our schools, within our community and within our Church it’s in good hands,” she said.
Ms Betts said the day had a positive impact on the students’ “faith journey”.
“I think that was pretty evident from the young people I spoke to about how they found the day,” she said.
“It really spoke to them about their own spirituality … and what it means to be in a Catholic school.
“I think it augers well for our future that these are such fine young people and the future is really bright with them.”
