STUDENTS from Shepparton’s Notre Dame College and St Brendan’s Primary School have become a central part in marking 200 years of Catholic education in Australia, with the filming of a music video featuring popular Catholic priest and contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, Fr Rob Galea, at the school to mark the bicentenary celebration.
‘Faith in the Future’, a song written by Fr Galea for the occasion, was originally set to have its music video filmed at the Sydney Opera House, with clips from schools across the country.
However, when the Opera House became unavailable due to Coronavirus restrictions, Shepparton emerged as the best viable option.
Students joined Fr Galea on stage for the recording, which will be seen by countless viewers across the country.
“I’m really grateful – so grateful – for Shepp, opening the doors so quickly for us!” Fr Galea said, speaking at Notre Dame College last Thursday afternoon.
“The music video is going to be shot here, and we’re going to be recording the vocals tonight, so very quick and all for a million people just in a matter of moments.”
The Bendigo-based Fr Galea, who has been featured in national press as well as on Channel 10’s The Project, was a contestant on The X Factor in 2015. He has released eight music projects, toured abroad, and written a book.
He was supposed to spend all of 2020 travelling the country and visiting Catholic schools, talking with and performing to students, however that plan was forced to go virtual.
A former resident of Shepparton, he had high praise:
“Shepparton has such great gifts in the arts,” he said.
“I’ve worked as a chaplain here and I’ve worked at schools across Australia. I’ve always thought of Shepparton as having the best voices and the best performance that I’ve seen in many places. Even our liturgies are just extraordinary here.”
