“AUTHENTICITY” was the theme of this year’s Australian Catholic Students Association (ACSA) annual conference.
The weekend conference was hosted by the University of Notre Dame (Broadway Campus).
It was intended to be a blend of hard-issue talks by well-versed speakers and the essential social events.
The scope of topics covered was broad.
On the Friday night, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, gave a public address on “The Fall of the Christian West”.
It dissected in detail what is the “Christian West”, and the many issues that we must support and challenge.
One notable comment was that one should, “Steep yourself in the knowledge of Natural Law”. Natural Law governs our human person and all issues of life.
He also said we “should not be afraid to enter into a profound and ongoing dialogue, for the good of our civilisation”.
Professor Tracey Rowland spoke on Pope John Paul II and the Fall of Communism.
Annals Australasia editor Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Father Paul Stenhouse spoke on Islam.
Journalist Miranda Devine spoke passionately about the media and its sexualisation of society.
Spanish exorcist Fr Jose Fortea spoke on exorcism. His presence was calming. Through soft spoken tones he created a calm atmosphere while discussing horrific cases of possession and the exorcism of demons.
On the Saturday afternoon, the annual clash of the states in the “State of Origin” rugby league match was played.
The Queensland team was victorious, winning both games against Victoria and New South Wales.
It was a great afternoon with even a seminarian or two playing.
The black-tie MacKillop Ball was held on the Saturday night in the historic St John’s College Hall. Cardinal George Pell’s Mannix Address hit close to home, as he covered a cross-section of contemporary Australian issues.
He strongly encouraged us, as young Catholic adults, to get involved in law, politics, medicine, arts and media, and particularly education – to begin to make the shift to Christian unity and re-establishment of Christian values.
The conference ended with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Burke.
Looking at the crowd at the in Notre Dame University’s courtyard, you could tell that new friendships had been formed across the different states.
ACSA’s new executive team was elected, and it includes four Queenslanders – Catherine Lanzon as vice-president, Veronica Hayes as Queensland state representative, Elizabeth Purton as functions manager and David Chilnicean (who attends a Sydney college) as NSW state representative.
The next annual conference will be held in Melbourne in July next year.
For more information on ACSA visit www.catholicstudents.org.au/
