Reasons to Hope a Cause for Celebration
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
4 Mar 2010
When members of two city parish youth groups got together in 1997 to launch a weekend away for like-minded young Catholics they expected about 20 to turn up. Instead 60 arrived and Reasons for Hope was born.
Now 13 years later, not only is the annual weekend away still one of the year's most sought-after events, but has proven so popular that organisers had to close registrations for this year's 5-7 March get-together at Gerringong, NSW more than 10 days early.
"We hate turning people away but 100 is all we can fit into the chapel," says Matt Woodbury, one of the founders of the Reasons for Hope initiative, who along with others from across Sydney has helped organise this year's special weekend.
"At the first Reasons for Hope weekend back in 1997 I was a 21 year old uni student and now I'm 33 and a married man with three kids," he says with a grin.
Open to young people between 15 and 35, the weekend offers a chance to learn more about God in a relaxed friendly atmosphere, make new friends, celebrate Mass together and engage in workshops, prayer and sport.
"There's always a touch footie game and this year we are breaking new ground and offering surf lessons," Matt says.
For the first time the get-together is being held at the South Coast town of Gerringong near Kiama with its endless beaches and much touted sunshine. But for those attending the weekend, perhaps the most exciting and important part of the weekend is the opportunity to hear talks and have a chance to question some of the Church's most respected thinkers and theologians.
Among those who will be speaking at 2010's Reasons for Hope are Bishop Julian Porteous, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Episcopal Bishop for Evangelisation and Renewal. Bishop Porteous will give the keynote address entitled "You Are Not Alone" on Sunday morning, 7 March while the keynote address for Saturday, 6 March will be given by Sister Moira Debono, RSM, a Sister of Mercy from Alma, Michigan in the USA, who will talk about "Living Today for Life Tomorrow."
Other speakers include Mary Ticinovic, a clinical psychologist who is passionate about women's issues and an expert on relationships; Fr Michael de Stoop, Director of the Vocation Centre for the Archdiocese of Sydney; Fr Mark Battista from Camden who is well known to young people who attended World Youth Day 2008; Fr Terence Mary Naughtin, OFM who will discuss his experiences in helping men and women overcome run-ins with Ouija boards, séances and the occult; and Marie Ficarra, MLC who is a Catholic politician and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition and a member of the standing committee on Social Issues.
"We decided early on to always hold the Reasons for Hope weekends during Lent as this is the time most uni students have just begun the semester and there is no problem about them having to stay behind because of exams," Matt says, describing how popular the weekends have become and how for many represent a life-changing experience.
"One of the really important outcomes for young people is the realisation many others feel as they do and share the same faith and love of God. When you are young you often think that because of your faith and its importance in your life, you are the odd one out. But at a weekend such as ours, young people learn that there are many of us who share the same beliefs and are proud of our faith," he says.
To find out more and discover how you can get in early and enrol for next year's Reasons for Hope weekend, log on to www.reasonsforhope.net.
