1700 registered for Catholic Youth Festival

Catholic Youth Leaders from all over Australia gathered in Melbourne recently for a briefing on the inaugural Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF), to be hosted by the Melbourne Archdiocese from December 5-7.

With just eight weeks to go until the landmark event, 1700 young people and 12 bishops are registered. There are still another 10 days until registrations close this Friday.
 
Fr Rob Galea, who will be performing at the Festival, dropped in to give some spiritual formation and a taste of what is to come. Group Coordinators were updated on program elements and practical details such as food, transport, registration, accommodation as well as the Festival policies.
 
Many participants also enjoyed a tour of one of the main Festival venues at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) campus in Fitzroy.
 
The Festival resource was launched to help groups prepare their youth, so that they get the most out of the event. Announcements were also made about merchandise and the ACYF Mobile App which will assist participants.
 
Leaders were also reminded about the ACYF Art Competition inviting submissions from young artists exploring the Festival’s theme: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” Luke 4:18.
 
Fr Christian Fini, Chair of the ACYF Steering Committee is particularly excited about this initiative which he said will encourage young people to “contribute to beauty in the world by sharing something of our faith”.