iServi News | 13 December 2019 | Term 4, Week 9
From 8 – 10 December nineteen people from the Servite Youth Ministry team attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Servite also hosted students from St Thomas More College, Queensland to sleep in our school for the duration of the festival. Every morning, we’d meet at 8am with Ms Maxwell, Mr Crossley and Ms Plant at school before we all took the bus for the busy day ahead. The theme of ACYF was ‘Listen to What the Spirit is Saying’. Throughout the festival we were encouraged to get to know the Holy Spirit and recognise what he is calling us to.
Almost every morning and evening, we’d have Plenary sessions. This is where all six thousand attendees would gather in one large hall and start the day with reflections, music and dancing. We were blessed by the presence of musicians, including Steve Angrisano, Fr Rob Galea, Joe Melendrez and SAGA music. Our other notable guests include the two nuns from The Amazing Race Australia, Sr Therese and Sr Judy, the Subih Brothers from Australia’s Got Talent and all the bishops from the Dioceses of Australia.
The three days consisted of various workshops from guests, live music from the different performers, activities in the expo hall and many more. We had also participated in Eucharistic Adoration on the second day of the Festival, where the six thousand pilgrims kneeled in silence in the presence of Jesus. One of the most enjoyable (but tiring) activities was our 3.5km pilgrimage walk from the Convention Centre to Trinity College. From there, we had our last concert and performances and the program concluded with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. Sadly, the Festival came to close, but we were undoubtedly left with irreplaceable memories we will never forget.
We would like to thank our coordinators Ms Maxwell, Mr Crossley and Ms Plant for being part of our ACYF journey, and for always making sure that we were safe. But most of all, we want to thank everyone who has supported the Youth Ministry Team in the preparations for ACYF. We are all looking forward to attending the next ACYF in 2021 at a location somewhere in rural Australia – yet to be revealed. We are proud to say that we are part of the young Church of Australia.
Ira Cuerdo (SE2) and Phoebe Harry (OLS4)
Mrs Monica Maxwell
(Acting) Director of Ministry