Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has presented this year’s Archbishop of Sydney Awards for Student Excellence to 49 outstanding Year 12 students from Catholic Secondary schools across the Archdiocese of Sydney.

The recipients were individually recognised during a ceremony held at St Mary’s Cathedral College Hall for their commitment to Catholic values and for actively contributing to the faith life of the school, Catholic parish and the wider Church community. 

First established in 1999 by Cardinal Edward Clancy, the awards are an annual tribute to some of the exceptional young men and women in Sydney’s Catholic schools, and the positive role they play as leaders of faith among their peers. 

This year’s recipients were noted for their varied and far-reaching work: as catechists, altar servers, youth group leaders, minsters, social justice advocates, fundraisers, and helpers of the poor, homeless and disabled.

In his address to the awardees, Archbishop Fisher commended the students on their pursuit of moral excellence and their dedication to bettering the lives of others. 

Through your commitment to living out the Gospel, you’ve made your school, parish community or family a place of love and communion” – Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP 

“You’ve evangelised countless people through your witness to God’s goodness and you’ve inched closer to becoming what you were created for: total union with the God who is love.”

His Grace praised students for making a conscious effort to use their God-given abilities in such selfless and righteous ways. 

“You are here because of the habits you have cultivated and demonstrated as faithful children of God; for the repeated acts of leadership and service that you have so generously offered to your communities; for putting the Good News of Jesus Christ into practice,” Archbishop …