Three months after the excitement and energy of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Melbourne, our young pilgrims once again found themselves gathered, this time not in a bustling convention centre but in the warm familiarity of our diocese at our ACYF Reunion. 

Friends reunited, conversations picked up where they left off, and memories resurfaced. Yet beneath the joy of reconnecting was a deeper purpose: to reflect on how those days in Melbourne continue to shape their faith and their lives. 

For many, ACYF marked the beginning of a journey that did not end when the festival wrapped up. At the Reunion, that journey continued to unfold as our young people shared how their ACYF experience shapes their daily routines, deepens their prayer lives, and influences the way they see the world. The friendships formed in Melbourne have also become steady sources of encouragement, with small communities of faith carrying one another forward. 

The gathering also offered a meaningful moment for familiar faces to reconnect and for the leaders who accompanied the group to witness how the experience continues to take root in the lives of our young people. 

Bishop Michael Kennedy, who led our diocesan group at ACYF in Melbourne, was delighted to reconnect with our pilgrims at the Reunion and to encourage them as they continue to grow in faith. 

“It is always a joy to spend time with our young people, who are energised and enthusiastic about their faith and their journey with God,” Bishop Michael said. 

 

“Young people are not only the future of the Church; they are a vital part of the Church today. When we support them to grow in faith, we are investing in hope for our communities and for generations to come.”  Bishop Michael Kennedy.

 

During the event, small-group discussions gave our young pilgrims the opportunity to reflect together on meaningful questions such as how their relationship with God is developing and what they are seeking as they move forward.   

Elul Tecle, who attended ACYF, was grateful for the opportunity to come together again. 

“The Reunion was a great opportunity for young people to reconnect, reflect on the experiences we shared, and strengthen the friendships and faith that we formed. 

“It was really encouraging to come together again and be reminded that the sense of community and faith we experienced at ACYF continues even after the festival ends,” says Elul 

Among those who played a special role during ACYF in Melbourne was Louisa Daniels from St Declan’s Church in Penshurst. 

Louisa was invited by ACYF to lead a couple of prayer and worship sessions at the festival, an experience she describes as deeply meaningful. Through her close relationship with our diocese, she also had the opportunity to meet some of our young people there.  

“ACYF offers a mountaintop experience. It is beautiful and enlivening. Young people connect and encounter the Lord, meet other young people, and pray in ways that do not always happen in day-to-day life,” says Louisa. 

 

“The Reunion was a great way to reconnect with the ACYF experience and for young people to remember that they had a moment in Melbourne that was significant." Louisa Daniels

 

“We also know that when we go back to daily life, keeping the flame alive can be challenging. The Reunion helped young people work out what they want to do next and how they will take that experience, and make it more than a one-time thing,” she says. 

At the gathering, Louisa also offered a powerful personal testimony to the group. 

“I hope that sharing my story gives young people a chance to hear an experience of God’s love. It is a chance for the abstract idea of the love of God to become personal,” says Louisa. 

The Reunion also created space for Adoration and worship. Our young people were especially excited to hear more about ALIVE Catholic Youth – a fresh identity for youth ministry in our diocese, launching May 2026.

This new initiative not only brings renewed energy and connection but also invites young people to play a vital role in contributing to the life of the Church moving forward. There are exciting events planned for 2026, so watch this space! 

 

 

The gathering was more than a ‘catch-up’. It was a reminder that the seeds planted at ACYF continue to grow through friendships, through shared faith, and through the young people who carry the spirit of Melbourne into their everyday lives. 

Dominic Drumore, Youth Ministry Partner from our Mission and Evangelisation team, shared his gratitude for what the afternoon represented for our young people and for the diocese. 

“The Reunion was an incredible opportunity to continue to walk with our young people who attended ACYF, to celebrate with each other, worship God together, and look forward to the future with practical hope and great enthusiasm.  

“Praying this is only the beginning of renewal in our Diocese, our Church, and in the world,” he says.