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“Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirt through the bond of peace” – Ephesians 4:3

This quote from Ephesians 4:3, encompasses the vision I would like to bring to the Catholic Society if I was nominated President. I aim to continue promoting a strong sense of unity by constructing a community that is diverse yet inclusive, with our Catholic faith at its centre. I intend to achieve this by increasing engagement for events through the societies Instagram and the Leeds University Union weekly newsletter.

This idea of unity is something that I would like to expand from the membership of the Catholic Society to the committee. Although committee members have distinct and separate responsibilities, if I were elected, I would like us to rely on each other. Not just filling someone’s role when they are busy but also joining our skills and commitments together. During AGM’s and EGM’s meetings I would propose leading questions, not only to encourage the committee to form a detailed discussion on logistical planning but also, functioning more as a team. Group agendas would practically improve the efficiency and quality of events within the Catholic society.

Additionally, I would like to make a consistently explicit link between society events and our Catholic faith. I would propose to verbalise or write in a newsletter: why we are holding an event? And what is the relevance to our Catholic beliefs and practices today? The Second Vatican council Gaudium et Spes suggests that instead of faith being a ritual obligation, faith should become a lived reality. This is something I would like to make more prominent if I was elected your President.

I am a firm believer that this society belongs to you, not the committee. If I were elected president, I would want to hear from all of you about events or opportunities, you would like to get out of being a member of the Catholic society. I plan on doing a quick and simple Microsoft form to get generic feedback on what you enjoyed, and thought was successful this year and any ideas on what you would want to see the Catholic society do in the future.

Being a first-year undergraduate gives me a unique yet fresh perspective on how to help run the Catholic Society. Before I came to Leeds, I volunteered at my local church and helped with their primary school catholic holiday club. I integrated basic catholic teaching into hands-on activities which helped the children build their understanding of what it means to be Catholic. We made crafts inspired by biblical narratives, then opened up a reflective discussion for the children to work out for themselves, with my guidance, as to what those stories meant. In the same church I was an altar server for two years. I learnt not only how to pay detailed attention to the mass structure but also conducting myself with the exemplary admiration and reverence to be in the direct presence of Jesus. In reflection this was a pivotal moment in my faith because not only was I in close proximity of the Eucharist and learnt why Mass was the core foundation for catholic practice. But these skills would serve me well as your president not just being able to balance but integrate catholic values with social events.

Alongside this, I went to a Catholic secondary school where I was exposed to a new way of learning about faith within my education. Here, I was appointed Wellbeing Mentor where I learnt transferable communication skills. These skills would be the most important to my presidency because to guarantee that this society belongs to you, it is integral that I don’t just listen to your ideas but implement them by bringing them to committee meetings and Fr Marc.

If you vote for me, you will gain a president that is not only easily approachable and a good listener to others but also someone who is committed to their responsibilities and has your best interests at heart.