CO_Mar17_WEB

Alessandro ‘sets out into the deep’
DIOCESAN NEWS
By Jordan Grantham
ALESSANDRO COWLEY FIN-
ISHED his Bachelor of Laws at the
University of Sydney in November
2016. He is a parishioner at St Anthony of
Padua Parish, Toongabbie, and the 2011
Dux of Parramatta Marist High School.
Alessandro has the opportunity for
great material achievement but he longs
for higher things. When asked what his
future dreams are, his reply is: “A more
compassionate world, more saints like
Mother Teresa!”
The star student credits God, his parents,
relatives, teachers and friends for his success.
Alessandro has left his mark on the
university, having served as President of
the Catholic Society and Vice President of
the Conservative Club of the University of
Sydney. He was also Vice President of the
Australian Catholic Students Association.
“I found my home at the Catholic Society,”
he said. “We grew together in our faith and
in friendship over our university years.
“I found it quite helpful to the development
of my faith to be surrounded by young
Catholics my age, who were devout and
believed in the same things I did.”
Alessandro’s heroes are BA Santamaria
and Archbishop Mannix, “both great
Catholic activists who had the zeal of
17 th Century Jesuit priests.” Their impact
on Australian society marked a Catholic
Revival for Alessandro.
“My intellectual hero is St Thomas
Aquinas. I remember the first time being
introduced to Aquinas – it was in a medieval
history class, where the lecturer (who had
been taught by Pope Benedict XVI many
years ago), started exploring the life and
times of Aquinas,” he said.
“I remember learning about the
Five Ways with the chaplaincy staff at
Sydney University, and as we delved
deeply into his arguments for God’s
existence, for the first time felt I was
equipped to deal with the questions of
those who challenged my beliefs.”
Alessandro’s confidence in the intellectual
firepower of the Catholic Faith was on
display in 2015 when thousands packed
Sydney Town Hall for a debate between
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP and Prof
Peter Singer on physician-assisted suicide,
“Should voluntary euthanasia be legalised?”
The event sold out within hours and
received wide media attention.
Alessandro came up with the idea in
a Practical Ethics course. On a whim,
he emailed Prof Singer and wrote to
the Archbishop of Sydney, inviting them
to debate.
“I wasn’t expecting much out of it, but
they both replied!” he said.
“It was very satisfying … seeing the
packed Sydney Town Hall from the stage is
etched in my memory.”
Alessandro’s example can inspire others
to make the most of the HSC, university
and adulthood.
“The HSC is a pathway towards the most
exciting experience of your life – university.
The Church needs foot soldiers and welleducated
Catholics are necessary for the
future of the Church in this country. Aim
high, and strive,” he said.
Alessandro shared an interesting insight
about the connection between prayer and
true friendship – which wishes the best for
the other person.
“Pray for the gift of friendship. Be friends
with those who hold you accountable to
the faith, and those who you can grow with
together in the faith. A good friend is the
most precious gift. Treasure them,” he said.
Ultimately, living the Faith on campus
with the chaplaincy is an adventure that
strengthens the university experience and
lays a foundation for life.
Alessandro Cowley: “Pray for the gift of friendship … A
good friend is the most precious gift. Treasure them.”
“University is a time to challenge
the norm, be exposed to fresh ideas,
concepts and be intrigued intellectually,”
Alessandro said. “Delve into the beauty
of the Church and her teachings, forge
lifelong friendships and grow as a person
and soldier servant for Christ – join the
Catholic Society on campus!”
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MARCH 2017 CatholicOutlook 17