Tens of thousands of young Catholics are descending on Sydney Olympic Park for three action packed days with some of the world’s best known Catholic speakers and musical artists.
The event has already attracted national media attention with Australia’s youngest Bishop, Richard Umbers speaking to National Nine News about the impact the festival will have on the city.
Tomorrow morning the Archbishop of Sydney, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP will welcome the nation’s youth to Sydney at the first plenary session, where some 19,000 young people will gather together for a morning of inspirational talks and live musical performance.
Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Matt Maher and priest-performer sensation Fr Rob Galea will have the youth on their feet, while popular spiritual leader Sr Hilda Scott OSB will speak to them about the power of contemplative prayer.
Powerful youth-led drama will round out the morning before festival goers head off to a day full of workshops and interactive activities too numerous to mention.
Young people will have the option of exploring subjects as varied as Building Lego Like a Boss; Smart Success: Impact with Integrity; The Light of Faith in the Light of Terror; Gaming, Masculinity and Faith; Influencing the World, One Macaron at a Time; and performances from US and Australians musical powerhouses, including Steve Angrisano, Emily Wilson and Genevieve Bryant.
Former atheist Emma Fradd and musician, who now spends her time in three different countries working in youth ministry, is also expected to be popular drawcard for young people trying to discover meaning and God’s purpose in their lives.
Over a hundred stalls will provide a level of interaction hitherto unseen at a Catholic youth event, with stall holders including the award-winning charity Orange Sky, who provide mobile laundry facilities to homeless, and the creators of John Paul the Great, Australia’s first Catholic video game.
Transport NSW has announced public transport arrangements to meet the additional demand – both for the festival itself and for the closing public Mass in The Domain on Saturday, which is expected to attract around 30,000 people.
Xt3.com have announced that they will be live streaming the entirety of the event for people who cannot attend and for participants’ families back home.