Sessions Coordinator: Jessica Schmidt

Howdy!

So you are interested in what a session’s coordinator does..! Well, as session’s coordinator you are entrusted with all of the sessions that happen during each semester (apart from masses, and some other random ones).

Under clause 7(b)(ii) of the constitution, the Sessions Coordinator shall:

1)      Organise, coordinate, and execute all COSDU sessions.

2)      Research on proposed themes and liaise with the Spiritual Directors.

3)      Invite speakers to sessions and liaise with Liturgy Coordinator for appreciation gift.

4)      Liaise with the Vice President for resources and materials.

5)      Liaise with the Secretary for venue bookings and list of the semester’s sessions in advance.

6)      Liaise with the Music Coordinator for music as and when necessary.

This sounds like quite a big job, but really it’s not that big because of all the help and support you have available to you in the committee and in the archdiocese of Melbourne. You also are blessed with the job of choosing the topics for each week: finding speakers, or video programs, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu masters, or anything you can think of to make each session communicate God’s love, grace and mercy!

This can be done through a combination of:

Deepening our knowledge of the Catholic Church (teachings on the faith)

Deepening in personal encounter with God (sharings, prayer, or worship)

Deepening our relationships with others!  (Yup, God is in those weirdos you’re surrounded by as well! ;)

In this role, you also work very closely with many other committee members to really shape what each COSDU night will be like. For example you could organise with your Music Coordinator for a song to be used in praise and worship or your Liturgy Coordinator to organise Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, or with Social Activities Coordinator to have some games.

Another part of your role is to organise and discuss with speakers to come to COSDU and share their wisdom. I found this one of the most fun parts of the job as you get to talk with experts from all walks of life: nuns, priests, international speakers, and professors – who all have a unique take on the faith. To make the most of this, it’s important to plan early!

Finally, with so much organising and planning about faith topics and the church, it is important that you consult regularly with the giver of all speakers and topics, and really the source of all goodness. That is, God! Having called you into this position, it is very important to ask Him what it is you must do for His beloved children. Also, He is the one who can turn all of your (and my) weaknesses into strengths and so trying to do it without Him….. Well let’s just say you might look like an idiot in front of a lot of people! (This I learned from experience…lel)

Taking up sessions, it was my hope that during my term it would be a year of spiritual growth, learning how to be fearless in our faith and loving disciples in the world. What a mission! However I quickly found that there was a lot to contend with in this role, not only did I need to think about the beliefs and opinions of my committee family, but also would have to cater for the different levels of faith in my extended COSDU family! Some people were praying daily whilst others had only just began to learn about Catholic teaching yet the Lord wanted everyone to come closer to Him. Throughout the year I found a lot of guidance and grace from both personal prayer (spending quality time with my main man, Jesus) and really entering into worship at COSDU sessions. Also, in speaking with the chaplains, I gained a lot of insight into how COSDU has grown over many years and what has been done in the past. My greatest source of encouragement came from seeing COSDUans apply what they heard or learnt in sessions in their faith, and really step into new levels of life and growth in their search for God.

As with any role in the committee, it takes courage to step up and say yes! So do not fear- in Him you have everything you need and more! And through loving others in this way He has things he wants to bless you and give to you too! Never forget that He is after your heart as much as the people you’re serving! 

God bless…

And may the force be with you J