Scholarship boost for Lauren

Published: 25 December 2011
By: Selina Venier

Ministry boost: Bishop Brian Heenan of Rockhampton is with Lauren Cole, who has been awarded a scholarship to specialise in study for youth ministry

ROCKHAMPTON diocese's youth ministry co-ordinator and a Brisbane youth minister have secured scholarships from the Australian Catholic Bishops' Commission for Pastoral Life (BCPL) and Broken Bay Institute (BBI).

Lauren Cole, of Rockhampton diocese, has been award a full scholarship to study the BBI-University of Newcastle Graduate Certificate in Theology, specialising in Youth and Campus Ministry in 2012 and 2013. Her scholarship is valued at $5140.

Christian Nobleza, a youth minster in Brisbane, will receive a part-scholarship valued at $2570.

Fernando Farrugia, who is a religious education co-ordinator in Adelaide, was also awarded a part-scholarship.

Lauren has been working for Rockhampton diocese for 12 months. She previously worked in the Townsville diocese with the Young Christian Students movement.

She was ecstatic to receive the news of her successful application.

"It is fantastic to be offered this opportunity as this is something I have always wanted to do," Lauren said.

"I am so excited about this chance to study and I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of youth ministry as it will allow me to carry out my role and mission at a much deeper level."

This youth ministry scholarship is a first for the Church in Australia and has been widely acclaimed and promoted.

Senior youth ministry projects officer for the BCPL Malcolm Hart said there had been positive feedback from all over the country and even internationally.

"Youth ministers and Church leaders have praised this opportunity for emerging and established youth ministers," Malcolm said.

"It supports the outcomes of the bishops' Youth Leaders Gathering in 2008 which identified the need to have comprehensive training opportunities in youth ministry.

"It has generated a lot of discussion about the need for youth minsters to have grounding in theology, scripture and youth ministry theory and practice, as is offered by the BBI-UoN Graduate Certificate."

BBI director Gerard Goldman expressed his happiness at being involved in such a positive opportunity for those who are committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ with the youth of today.

"BBI is committed to the support and formation of youth ministers in Australia," he said.

"It has been a privilege to be a part of this scholarship as it highlights the need for lay ecclesial ministry, especially youth ministry, to be supported with appropriate formation experiences which can help connect young people with Jesus through the Church."

It is hoped that in the future more scholarships of this nature will be made available. The BCPL will liaise with BBI in the coming months to reflect on possible future scholarships.