Jesuit Communications once again lived its mission, giving voice to Catholic youth in the Spring 2023 edition of Australian Catholics. Ten guest editors from Years 10 and 11 at Catholic schools from across Australia took the reins to write about a “climate for change”.
As the recently appointed assistant editor – education and youth, it’s my second year presenting the program alongside editor Michele Frankeni. Having a career that spans both the media and education industries, I feel privileged to work with such motivated and respectful young people. It gives me great faith in the leaders of tomorrow and I am grateful to have been a part of their journey as they become the storytellers of the future.
The guest editors were the most recent cohort of the Jesuit Communications’ annual internship program. Now in its thirteenth year, the internship offers secondary school students the chance to produce an edition of the largest-circulation Catholic print publication in the country.
During this week-long immersive experience, students took a crash course in good news journalism and attended sessions with industry speakers before planning and writing most of the Spring edition.
The participants connected with journalists and editors who shared insights about navigating the early stages of a career in the media.
Young people are calling for change and not just on climate issues. An empathetic generation is emerging whose members value the welfare of others as well as future of the planet. You can hear their voices in the latest edition of Australian Catholics magazine.
Michele Frankeni praised the contributions by this year’s applicants: “What I and others were most impressed by was the consistent connection between social justice and Catholic social teaching. Our interns tend to write about social justice issues, or about Jesus and the Bible, often not seeing the connection between.”
The selection of articles in the edition encompassed topics as varied as fast fashion, the future of the Church, the role of women in the Church, bushfires, youth activism and homelessness.
Guest editor Niamh Kelleher said she entered the programme to find out more about a career in the media, while Jeremiah Abrokwah said this was one of very few internships open to such young applicants. “I was really grateful to be able to do it, even though I’m in regional Australia,” he said.
Fellow guest editor Sienna Talbot said the experience helped her understand the industry better.
Not all participants, though, are necessarily heading into the media. Thalia Kurniawan said she is curious about further study in theology.
Guest editor Erin Drewsen enjoyed the experience of interviewing Victorian Catholic Social Services director Josh Lourensz, particularly in relation to gaining an insight into how he approached his social justice work.
Participants praised the experience of conducting live interviews with the guest speakers, Josh, Emilie Ng (Australian Catholic University), Najma Sambul (The Age) and Juliette Hughes (Eureka Street).
As I worked with the students, I was impressed by the topics they chose to cover, as well as their willingness to take on feedback. I hope they will continue to be members of our young writers’ community into the future.
The Spring edition was officially launched on 29 August by Jesuit Provincial Fr Quyen Vu SJ and Communications Delegate Fr Richard Leonard SJ in an online event that allowed the participants, teachers and families to see the completed magazine for the first time.
Fr Richard highlighted the long tradition of Jesuit media involvement and innovative use of emerging technologies almost stretching back to the invention of the printing press.