By Emilie Ng
FREE lunches are on Vocation Brisbane as part of a new event for young adults in Brisbane archdiocese.
Our Shout is a new initiative for young adults, university students and young professionals in and around Brisbane’s CBD to hear the message of vocations in new and creative ways.
The monthly events will include a free lunch and an opportunity to network with other young adults living in Brisbane.
But not only will it feed young adults with great-tasting food, Vocation Brisbane will also feed them with information that can help them make decisions in life.
Vocations officer Christian Nobleza said it was important to create a space where young people hear the message of vocations without feeling intimidated.
“When we think about vocation we automatically jump to priesthood or religious life, which we are promoting, but in order for us to get young people to say yes to ordained ministry and religious life requires a culture of vocation developed among young people in the city,” Mr Nobleza said.
“Young people are afraid to make decisions or choices, but that’s what our office is designed to do.
“There’s a sense of resistance or reluctance to do that because of fear of making the wrong decision, or rejection, and that can paralyse people from making choices.
“We want to be creative about how people ask those questions and make those choices.”
Our Shout events will also feature short talks from Church leaders, business leaders and social entrepreneurs.
Vocation Brisbane hopes to invite Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, vicar general Monsignor Peter Meneely, archdiocesan finance department staff and Care for Clergy staff.
“What’s cool about Our Shout is bringing together people of all walks of life – people in the work force, people in ministry, and university students,” Mr Nobleza said.
“I think my hope for Our Shout is that it’s a space where young people can feel comfortable to ask who is God in my life and where is God taking me in that life.
“More than ever our vocations team is looking at re-imagining being Church today and calling out young people to exercise leadership in the Church in an ordained capacity and a lay capacity.”
