“Yes Lord: Let it be with me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38) is the theme of the Jesus Youth conference to be held from 25-28 April at the Belgrave Heights Convention Centre, Melbourne. The conference will also provide an opportunity for Jesus Youth Australia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its arrival in Australia.
Recognised as an international private association of the faithful with juridical personality in 2016, Jesus Youth focuses on evangelising young people and nurturing their missionary initiatives. The movement is present in 25 countries and draws on the spirit of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. This unique spirituality is rooted in six strong pillars: daily prayer, the Word of God, Sacraments, fellowship, evangelisation and the preferential option for the poor. Members of Jesus Youth are encouraged to live out their faith in their daily lives, to be of service to the larger community and to see themselves as part of the social fabric.
“The upcoming conference is an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the good works of the Holy Spirit,” Jethin Thottan, coordinator of Jesus Youth Australia, said.
“We want to embrace synodality through active, deep listening and to pave a path to continue as missionary disciples.”
Jesus Youth Australia patron, Canberra and Goulburn Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli and Bishop John Panamthottathil of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of St Thomas the Apostle in Melbourne, will all attend the conference.
Organisers anticipate welcoming 600 participants, including young children, teenagers, youth and families. Speaking to the conference theme will be the vice-president of Renewal Ministries Pete Burak, president and CEO of Christian Renewal Association-Restore Diana Ingle, executive secretary of the Office of Evangelisation for the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference Monoj Sunny, Fr Ken Barker MGL and James Parker.
Jina Francis will be travelling from Perth with her husband David and their two young children to attend the conference.
“We are really looking forward to hearing the great line-up of speakers, participating in the praise and worship sessions, attending daily Mass and spending some quiet time in Eucharistic adoration,” she said.
While the logistics of bringing together such a large group is quite challenging, organisers believe the in-person gathering will reignite attendees’ missionary zeal. Hopefully, with renewed energy the conference participants will return to their homes across Australia, ready and willing to spread the message of faith to all those they encounter.
For more information about Jesus Youth and the Yes Lord Conference:
https://jesusyouth.org.au/
https://jesusyouth.org.au/hog/
https://jesusyouth.org.au/yeslord/
You can follow Jesus Youth on Instagram.
Images: Supplied
Words: Sharon Brewer