Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Bishops more than ten years ago. Held in Melbourne in 2025, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the jubilee year as a community and help young people be pilgrims of hope.
On Friday 29 August, around 250 student leaders from Catholic schools across Melbourne’s south came together at St Bede’s College, Mentone, for a special Southern Region youth gathering focused on the Jubilee Year theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
The day—incorporating music, prayer, conversation, a bayside walking pilgrimage and Mass—was designed to draw young people into a deeper experience of faith, hope and community.
Understanding
Jubilee 2025
Jubilee years are a time of newness. They have been celebrated throughout the history of the Church, but their roots go back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to celebrate a jubilee every 50 years.
More than 800 Catholic educators gathered recently for a day of faith, formation and collaboration at the Pilgrims of Hope in Catholic Education Conference.
This retreat presents a valuable professional learning opportunity for Religious Educators, with a focus on strengthening Catholic identity, fostering student resilience, and enhancing school–parish relationships.
It’s full steam ahead to this year’s Australian Catholic Youth Festival, with the event now less than 100 days out. Thousands of young people are expected to descend on Melbourne for the three-day festival, which will have more than 100 workshops on offer.
Catholic Education Week was an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community, and the strength of the sector.
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