WelCom February 2021
Sue Seconi
Hearts Aflame, a 10-day, national Catholic summer school for 18 to 35-year olds, takes place every year in January. Held annually since 1992, it is organised by a team of lay volunteers passionate about living and sharing the fullness of Catholic faith among young people.
This year, the 29th national Hearts Aflame was held at Ngā Tawa Diocesan School in Marton. A highlight was Auckland’s Bishop Michael Gielen celebrating Mass and leading an evening session called ‘Living Fully Alive in Christ’.
‘Ask God for a courageous vision for your lives, to identify the dream God has given you and to boldly choose to take steps to bring that dream to life,’ he invited the 120 participants.
The 10-day school, which offers formation in Catholic theology, philosophy and spirituality, began this year on 1 January. Each day was shaped around daily Mass, joint prayer, lectures, personal prayer, one-on-one time with pastoral team leaders as well as time to relax.
The lecturers offered a wide range of topics from Lord of the Rings by Fr Jeremy Palman, Prayer in the School of the Holy Spirit by Sr Clare Lyon, Introduction to Canon Law by Fr Marcus Francis, Theology of the Body by Maria Pais, to Proclaiming Christ in our culture by Fr Matthew Crawford SM.
‘Hearts’, as it is affectionately known, has a proud reputation for providing a place of prayer to discern God’s calling and includes a night session for vocational discernment.