Musical talent reaches national level

Music can communicate a heartfelt message in a way that nothing else can! This is especially so for young people wanting to express their thoughts and feelings to their peers.

It was a delight and an inspiration to receive local entries from school students of this diocese in an international song competition.

Ordinary everyday teaching and learning activities in our local schools have led to the production of a song with a mission which will impact on their fellow school students and beyond, perhaps inspiring further confidence to be ‘missionary disciples’ using whatever gifts we have.

The Pontifical Mission Societies, known in Australia as Catholic Mission, invited entries to the song competition on the theme of the Extraordinary Month of Mission called for by Pope Francis for October 2019.

The song competition invited school-age students to give expression in word and music to the theme ‘Mission’. 

Year 9 students from All Saints’ College, Maitland took up the challenge with enthusiasm. Under the encouragement of Teacher, Eva Frize, four group entries were received from Creative and Performing Arts students.

With growing confidence in their own musical abilities, they expressed their understanding of mission in the language and musical style relevant to the culture of their peers.

One of these entries was selected by judges to be entered into the national level competition – a wonderful achievement!

Entries received had the additional challenge of including in the refrain the words, given to the Extraordinary Missionary Month by Pope Francis, “Baptised and Sent!” – the vocation of every Christian who are ‘baptised and sent’ to build the Reign of God!

The music needed to be suitable for singing by groups or a congregation but did not have to be specifically liturgical.

A national winner from the song competition was chosen for forwarding to the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome where it will be published along with other national winners on their website throughout October 2019.

Watch the winning videos of the national song competition here.

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Mark Toohey Image
Mark Toohey

Mark is the Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.