Walking with a Formed Conscience: A Blessed Evening with the LNS Young Adult Group

The Lower North Shore (LNS) Young Adult Group gathered once again on Sunday, 14 June 2026, for what proved to be a truly blessed and inspiring evening at St. Leonard's Church Hall, Naremburn.

The evening began with several of our young adults serving and singing at the 6:00 pm Mass at St. Leonard's Church. Their joyful participation in the liturgy set the tone for a night centered on faith, fellowship, and formation.

In the days leading up to the event, nearly half of our registered members had sent their apologies due to various commitments and circumstances. As often happens in parish ministry, it would have been easy to become discouraged by the anticipated numbers. Yet God, in His providence, once again reminded us that His plans are always greater than our expectations.

To our delight, young adults arrived from various parts of Sydney and even beyond. New faces joined familiar ones, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the gathering. It was a beautiful reminder that whenever Christ is at the center, He continues to draw people together and create opportunities for encounter, friendship, and growth in faith.

Following dinner and fellowship, we were privileged to hear from one of our own members, Alex Fletcher from Wahroonga Parish, who delivered a truly inspiring and deeply substantial presentation on the theme: Conscience and Catholic Moral Living for Young Adults.

Alex began by explaining that conscience is our God-given ability to recognize what is good and what is evil and to make moral judgments about our actions. While many people today think of conscience merely as following one's feelings or personal preferences, Alex highlighted the Catholic understanding that conscience must be formed by truth, guided by faith, and enlightened by God's Word.

Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the wisdom of the early Church Fathers, and the rich tradition of the Church, including figures such as Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, and Saints Cyril and Methodius, etc., Alex provided both historical and theological foundations for understanding conscience. He reminded us that “a human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience” (CCC 1800), while emphasizing that every Catholic has the responsibility to continually form and shape that conscience according to the truth revealed by Christ and faithfully taught by His Church.

Particularly relevant for young adults was Alex's reflection on the many important decisions that characterize this stage of life. Questions about relationships, career choices, studies, finances, social media, and personal values confront young people every day. In a culture that often encourages individuals to create their own truth, Alex emphasized that authentic freedom is found not in inventing truth but in discovering it in Jesus Christ.

His presentation offered practical ways to form a mature Christian conscience: through prayer, reflection on Sacred Scripture, participation in the Sacraments, study of Church teaching, and the support of faithful friendships and spiritual mentors. He challenged us to move beyond asking, "What is everyone else doing?" or "What makes me happy right now?" and instead ask, "What is true, good, and loving in God's eyes?"

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came as Alex reflected on how a formed conscience gives us the courage to choose honesty over convenience, purity over temptation, forgiveness over resentment, generosity over selfishness, and faithfulness over compromise. Such choices, he noted, are what transform us from merely successful individuals into authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.

The evening concluded with prayer, discussion, and fellowship, as participants shared insights and personal experiences arising from the talk. There was a genuine sense that God had touched hearts and planted seeds that will continue to bear fruit in the lives of our young adults.

We are deeply grateful to Alex Fletcher for his thoughtful preparation and inspiring witness. We also thank everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening such a success.

As St. John Paul II famously encouraged young people, "Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." May our young adults continue to form their consciences according to the mind and heart of Christ, and may they courageously live the Gospel in every aspect of their lives.

We look forward to welcoming everyone again at our next LNS Young Adult gathering on 28 June 2026.