By Joe Melhem - Youth Minister
My first experience of an Australian Catholic Youth Festival was one filled with joy. I remember watching a video at the first plenary of the festival (plenary is a fancy word for gathering) and the lady said that this feeling of joy was something much deeper than happiness, which is what I felt when I saw 20,000 young Catholics gathered at Sydney Olympic Park. The stadium was packed out and the atmosphere was electric! We had amazing Catholic musicians lead us in song and worship, and there were also amazing speakers giving talks, which inspired me to give my 'Yes' to God and to follow him all the days of my life. ACYF really highlighted that I was not alone and that I’m not the only Catholic in Australia — in fact, there were thousands of others! And it was fun! Truly a joyful and life-changing experience for me.
ACYF is happening at the end of this year in Perth! I and a few others want to lead a pilgrimage from Holy Family, so stay tuned for more information. There are plans for fundraising commencing soon, so any support from parishioners would be greatly appreciated!