WHEN Sydney's Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, grew up, there were fewer opportunities available to him than those presented to young students today.

Yet the Cardinal is "glad" not to be growing up today, he told a group of 100 student leaders gathered at the annual student leadership forum at Sydney's Catholic Education Office (CEO) last Thursday, which helps the Cardinal draft his upcoming Pentecost statement.

Each year, Cardinal Pell is keen to hear the views of young people to assist him in preparing a pastoral message he delivers on the Feast of Pentecost, which celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world.

"There are great pressures upon you," he told school captains, vice-captains and other student representatives gathered from over 45 Catholic secondary schools across Sydney.

"While you live in marvellous times, there are also real struggles," he said.

In addressing this year's student discussion on the topic, "The Holy Spirit", the Cardinal told the students that while the prizes available to them in the future were much greater, the penalties were also greater.

Cardinal Pell, who was born in 1941 during the Second World War, says he grew up in a "much smaller and safer world" than the students today. 

"For a start, I grew up in a provincial centre in Victoria called Ballarat. There was no television until I was 15-years old, and no drugs - certainly not among students. 

"The contraceptive pill hadn't been invented, so there were extra reasons to be careful and good, and there were fewer marriage breakdowns.

"Also, a higher percentage of people worshipped regularly," he added.

The Cardinal told the students that despite these differences, "there are opportunities to be grasped in whatever age we find ourselves in."

The Cardinal, who himself had a chance to play A-grade Aussie Rules Football, says he has no regrets about his life choices.

"I don't regret what I did, because I think what I chose is enormously important and rewarding - to know about God and help people live happier lives.

"Whatever you decide to do, do something that is good and useful," he said.

This was Cardinal Pell's response to the student discussion raised during the evening about the presence of the Holy Spirit in today's modern age and how it can it can help young people make choices.

Fr Tim Deeter, Liturgy Office Director in the Archdiocese of Sydney, who helped set the scene to open discussion, told the students that the Holy Spirit would come to them at a crossroads in their lives.

"When you're down and when you call on the Spirit in faith," he said.

"The Spirit's work is to make us holy, to sanctify us, to carry on the work of the Father and the Son, so that we will be ready to accept Jesus' mission in the work of redeeming the world and giving witness to Him," he said.

The priest from Chicago, who speaks regularly at parishes, schools and retreats around Sydney, said that "the question is not what the Holy Spirit is, but who the Holy Spirit is."

 "The Holy Spirit is a person of the blessed Trinity, who gives us the various gifts to be good, welcoming, generous, to give people a fair go, be giving and patient.  These gifts come from a person, not a thing," he said.

Marcellin College Randwick student Daniel D'Anbrosio was inspired by Fr Deeter's talk. He told the Cardinal that the Holy Spirit certainly helps him "make the right choices in life".

"It's not like I pull out Rosary beads when I'm presented with a dilemma," he said.

"But the Spirit is certainly with me and helps me to discern the difference between right and wrong, and choose what's right."

Laura Crewdson, from St Ursula's College, Kingsgrove, said that she is now more aware that the Holy Spirit "is never absent, if forgotten".

"The Holy Spirit doesn't abandon us. We ourselves turn away from it when we face trials," she said.

"The absence of the Holy Spirit does not cause problems like depression, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual irresponsibility and youth suicide. It gives us personal support and strength to get through these issues and remain unmoved by these challenges.

"The Spirit is always with us - you just have to be open to it."

In conclusion to the student leadership forum, Cardinal Pell told the students that he had "every confidence" in their ability to spread, peace, truth and love.

"The Spirit will help you answer questions correctly in your future," he said.

"The Spirit of God is personal and real. When the Spirit of God is in your heart, it will bring you peace and goodness."

For Further Information:
Bernadette Zebec, Communications Unit, CEO, Leichhardt Tel: 9568 8224