By Natashya Fernandez
Back by popular demand, this year, Veritas 2017 has bigger and better things in store for all Catholic Youth.
A three-day event, the festival will run from 30 June to 2 July and will this year be hosted at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle.
Speaking with Catholic Youth Ministry Director, Anita Parker, The eRecord got a sneak peek at some of the events’ debut activities for 2017.
An initiative of the Catholic Youth Network and Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) in Perth, the event saw more than 400 youth attend last year’s festival and was open to all young people aged 16 to 30 in Western Australia, with an opportunity to deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus.
With this year’s theme based on the 2017 World Youth Day theme from Pope Francis – “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His Name” (Luke 1:49), Ms Parker said that the main sessions every day will delve and break open parts of the theme in an engaging way for young people.
The third year for the Veritas Youth Festival, Ms Parker said that with each year the event has grown with great success.
“I’m always inspired to see how all the various youth ministries around Perth and now including those across WA, collaborate together to make this a success.
“It’s beautiful to witness so many young people working together to support each other in their Catholic faith,” she said.
“The Catholic Youth Network, which includes the Catholic youth communities and movements across Perth, including university chaplaincies, all help to host & organise the event.
“You really get to see such a broad range of different ministries working together. Young people attending the festival get to discover so many groups they never knew about before,” she added.
The festival kicks off with a Friday night rally with special guest and X-Factor contestant, Fr Rob Galea, in a night not to be missed.
Ms Parker explained that Saturday and Sunday will host a mix of events, with the main rally sessions filled with music, talks, games and much more.
“There are workshop sessions, discussion forums, a ‘Mighty Fest’ night which has the Archdiocese of Perth’s agencies and movements showcasing their charisms by running a stall, offering information and engaging with anyone who wants to know more and of course, time for prayer and a closing Sunday Mass.”
Ms Parker said the highlight of the festival this year is the opening of a teen’s stream for the first time.
“All high school students will be invited to join us for the whole weekend,” she said.
“Previously, they were only able to attend the Friday session, but this year we have opened up the whole weekend schedule for them too.”
With a few firsts for Veritas 2017, the festival is this year reaching out to make it a WA youth festival and not just a Perth youth festival.
“The Bishops of WA have all given their support to help grow the event and many are also keen to attend themselves.”
“We are also very excited to partner with The University of Notre Dame as a key sponsor and new host venue for the event.
“Other sponsors will include Acts 2 Come College of Mission and Evangelisation and Catholic Super to name a few.
“Teens and young adults attending the event will enjoy the beautiful campus of Notre Dame University, Fremantle throughout their three-day festival experience,” she concluded.
To register for the event, go to www.veritasperth.com