The Experiential Prayer Room at the recent Australian Catholic Youth Festival held at Perth Convention and Exhibition centre (Level 3), provided an avenue for quiet time and reflection for the 5500 pilgrims, amidst the hype of events which took place from 8 to 10 December.

Melbourne singer, songwriter and music ministry enthusiast Genevieve Bryant encouraged Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) pilgrims to use their unique talents for others.

Hosted by Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, the event held on the final day of the festival, from 12:30 to 1:30pm, was the perfect opportunity for the Perth youth and young adults to recap on their experiences, network with one another, pray and praise together and keep informed with local events happening in the near future.

Chants of “Come Holy Spirit” echoed throughout the ACYF19 plenary exhibition as dynamic rap artist Joe Melendrez led some 5500 festivalgoers to experience God in music.

Personal encounters that filled the Expo and Justice Centre at the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival numbered in the thousands, as young people from all across Australia gathered to visit the stalls and find out all about the myriad organisations that call the Catholic Church home.

The young pilgrims gathered with a sense of respect and expectation on Day Two to hear Archbishop of Perth, Timothy Costelloe, give his workshop address at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2019: Listening to God, how do we know what God is saying?

The West Australian has this week published the below response from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB following the passing of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation in Parliament this week.

Bishops’ X-Change sessions held during the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival have significantly increased the conversation with young people on issues facing the Church and society today.

Steve’s message for the youth of ACYF during his first session focused on his personal account of God triumphing over tragedy, during the events of the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999, in Columbine, Colorado – the town that Steve and his family called home at that time.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB delivers his homily to more than 5500 pilgrims during the ACYF19 closing Mass. Photo: Josh Low. Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has encouraged thousands of young Catholics to leave the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival ready to open their hearts and lives to Jesus. An open-air Mass at Trinity College in East Perth was the culmination of the t...