The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) is a national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young people with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia.

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The Archdiocese of Sydney is hosting the event from December 7th-9th 2017 on behalf of the ACBC. The Festival receives collaborative support from the agencies of the Archdiocese, and greater Sydney dioceses of Broken Bay, Parramatta and Wollongong.

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In December 2017 the Festival will launch the Year of Youth, celebrating ten years on from hosting World Youth Day 2008.

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The Australian Catholic Youth Festival exists to:

• Provide a high quality formative and experiential opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Jesus Christ, in the context of the Catholic Church in Australia;

• Listen to and discuss the issues and challenges in the lives of young Catholics in Australia;

• Evangelise young people and empower them to be evangelisers;

• Provide young people with local examples and connections of vocations, social action, liturgy and prayer, catholic music and catechesis.