Almost 500 young people from across Melbourne came together for faith, formation, fun and friendship at Encounter: ACYF Edition on Saturday. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The event at ACU’s Cathedral Hall was billed as a special lead-up event to this year’s Australian Catholic Youth Festival (November 30–December 2) and it did not disappoint, with the crowd joyfully singing along to music led by Fr Rob Galea, Kyle Correya, talks by youth leaders and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.
Attendees came from all parts of the city, representing schools, parishes, youth groups, migrant chaplaincies, universities, movements and communities.
“How many of you here ever worry about what other people think of you?” asked Fr Galea, who will also headline the festival in December. “We worry so much about what others think of us. But here’s the thing: we are called to be witnesses, each and every one of us.
“We need a Church that is not afraid. We need people who are unshakable!”
After chatting with the various groups gathered, Archbishop Comensoli took to the stage and reminisced about the last festival in 2019, “when about 1000 young people from Melbourne made the journey to Perth, the encounter of our lives”.
“It was an extraordinary experience … to engage together, to pray to God together and have fun together,” much like what’s in store for pilgrims later this year, the Archbishop said.
Along with “faith, formation, fun and friendship”, pilgrims can also look forward to “Masses, music, memories”, and moments of encounter with Christ, he said.
“He’s going to be with us at ACYF. He was with us in Perth and he’s been with us all along!”
More than 5000 young people are expected to attend ACYF in Melbourne. Register now at www.acyf.org.au.
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Melbourne’s youth gather as the countdown to ACYF begins (Melbourne Catholic)
