College Community

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, six students from Years 9 to 12 will embark on a faith-filled journey as Pilgrims of Hope to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) 2025 in Melbourne.

This year’s festival marks a significant milestone — the first ACYF to be held since the pandemic. Traditionally occurring every two to three years, the festival is the largest gathering of young Catholics in Australia, drawing thousands of students, teachers, clergy, and youth ministers from across the nation. Over five days and four nights, our students will join the wider Church in prayer, worship, celebration, and reflection, experiencing the richness and diversity of our Catholic faith on a national scale.

Our pilgrims — Georgia, Tristan, Charlotte, Dean, Sam, and Brock — have been preparing for this transformative experience since last term. Their journey has included a range of fundraising initiatives through our parish, made possible by the generous support of our parish community. The students promoted their fundraising at several Masses and experienced great success. We extend heartfelt thanks to Fr Tomy, Fr Baby, the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Office, and all parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour for their encouragement and generosity. Special gratitude also goes to Sr Josie and Mr Tomsett for their ongoing guidance and support.

In addition to fundraising, the students have taken part in formation sessions designed to prepare them spiritually, physically, and logistically for their pilgrimage. A highlight of this preparation was the opportunity to meet other pilgrims from Central Coast Broken Bay schools, strengthening their sense of community and shared mission. We also thank Simon and Michael from the Evangelisation and Catechesis Team at Catholic Schools Broken Bay for their inspiring leadership.

The final stage of preparation will take place soon, when our students gather with pilgrims from across the Diocese of Broken Bay for a final formation session and Commissioning Mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony Randazzo at the Cathedral.

As the journey draws near, we invite our school and parish community to pray for Georgia, Tristan, Charlotte, Dean, Sam, Brock, and all young pilgrims who will take part in ACYF 2025. May they encounter Christ deeply, grow in faith, and return inspired to share the joy of the Gospel as true Pilgrims of Hope.