Fashion meets faith at Canberra Ball

Faith in fashion: Ruben Japp, Fraser Robertson, Madeline Robertson, Anton Vassallo, Geamila Ellis Raya and Kyle Petrusa danced the night away at the Young Catholics Ball.

Evangelisation was the height of fashion at the Canberra Young Catholics Ball on Saturday evening, with attendees donning glamourous dresses, sharp suits and sparkling crowns.

Themed A Royal Affair, the ball brought almost 100 young people together to share faith, fun and fancy costumes.

“I think creative expression makes people less afraid to express themselves and just go all out,” organising committee member Geamila Ellis Raya said.

“There is less awkwardness.”

Geamila said the ball was a wonderful chance to evangelise.

“There was a period in my lifetime when I didn’t walk with Jesus, and those were the most horrendous years of my life,” she said.

“Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and I want my friends, the people I love, to know that and to walk with Jesus.”

Geamila said inviting people to the ball helped integrate them into the Catholic community.

“Not everyone here is Catholic – a couple of old friends of mine are interested in the Catholic faith, so I thought I would bring them along,” she said.

“It builds meaningful connections with them. What bonds you more than going to a ball with a bunch of people, where you strike up great conversations and they have amazing values, believe in God and will be friends you can have for a long time?”

Organiser Ruben Japp said the Catholic Ball was an opportunity for youth in the Archdiocese to form important connections.

“It is good to see so many people I know and so many I don’t know as well,” he said.

“Community is so important to our Catholic faith. It is important that we are there for each other, have good friends who are Catholic, and support each other in the faith.

“Young people are the future of the Church, so I think it is important that we get to know each other now because this is probably the future of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn in this room.”

ANU chaplain Fr Alex Osborne said for young people who often feel as though faith is taboo or unwelcome, the Catholic Ball was a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people, build connection and deepen friendships.

“No young person should ever feel alone in their faith,” he said.

“Events like these build community. It’s brilliant to have a fun event too, something outside of the liturgy, to celebrate their faith, friendships, and accomplishments.”