New ACYF 2019 website launched, Archbishop Costelloe invites youths to say ‘yes’

21 Feb 2019

By The Record

The fourth Australian Catholic Youth Festival will invite delegates to follow Mary’s example of saying “Yes” when it opens on the great Marian Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

With about 1000 Australian pilgrims having recently returned from World Youth Day in Panama, the focus has now turned to ACYF, which will be hosted in Perth from 8 to 10 December.

The recently launched ACYF2019 website home page. Photo: Sourced.

ACYF 2019 will adopt the scriptural theme of the Plenary Council 2020: “Listen to what the Spirit is Saying”.

A new website and promotional video for ACYF were officially released this month.

The new site – www.acyf.org.au – is the premier location for all potential attendees to find out the latest information for the youth festival.

As the largest Catholic gathering in Australia, ACYF aims to promote and engage the life and voice of young Catholics, providing them with solid formation to live as followers of Christ.

Archbishop Costelloe with young people of Perth. Photo: Feby Plando.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said the festival will be a wonderful time for the Archdiocese of Perth, particularly as begins on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the Cathedral and of the Archdiocese.

“I invite all young people to have the courage to say ‘Yes’ to this invitation to come to ACYF in 2019, just like the Virgin Mary did when she said ‘Yes’ to be the mother of Jesus,” Archbishop Costelloe stated.

“It will be a powerful experience of faith and discipleship and an opportunity that will bring much joy and hope to us all.”

Pilgrims at ACYF 2017 in Sydney. Photo: Alphonsus Fok.

Archbishop Costelloe spoke about the numerous opportunities festival attendees may take advantage of which in Western Australia, including visiting historic New Norcia – the only monastic town in Australia.

“Youths will also have a great opportunity to experience first-hand the life of the Church in Perth in action by attending Mass in our parishes,” he added.

“With less than a year to go, now is the time to start planning and be attentive to the call of the Holy Spirit.”

ACYF19 will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC), centrally located to the CBD and public transport. The PCEC provides a holistic venue solution, allowing the festival’s large plenaries, workshops, expo, and experiences to be under one roof.

The Perth Convention Bureau has provided generous support to promote ACYF19 and is excited to welcome pilgrims from all over Australia to explore the naturally beautiful, cosmopolitan, and friendly city.

Registrations will open in mid-April 2019 via: www.acyf.org.au