WITH Zoom fatigue setting in and today’s announcement Ignite Sydney will be cancelled, young people are being encouraged to register for Australia’s most recognised youth conference in Brisbane from September 22-25.
Themed “Unleash”, Ignite Youth will roll out the red carpet at Mueller College, Rothwell, for its 21st conference to engage the faith of young people, leaders, teachers, priests, religious, children and families.
Ignite Youth director Kym Keady said leaders are “pivoting” in challenging COVID-19 times, to deliver the quality, high-energy yet prayerful experience that thousands of participants have grown to look forward to.
“It’s been challenging to organise conference, with the pandemic at our heels, but our motto is to ‘Be ready to pivot at all times’,” she said.
“We are not in a time of normalcy, we are in a time when change is the currency.
“ I’ve tried to have a ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ mindset for me and the staff and we can get through this together.
“I’m a relational leader so I work hard on harmony in relationships so that, as a team, together we can be authentic in our mission.”
Mrs Keady said the exceptional numbers at the annual Summer Camp and Ignite Conference launch – “the largest yet” of 540 and 450 respectively – have further spurred the team forward.
“I think young people are keen to get out and be together,” she said.
Asked how becoming a grandmother soon might have change her leadership outlook, she said “one of the biggest drives for me as a leader in youth ministry as a mother was to create the space for my kids to thrive in faith, in life and in Church”.
“Now that they are older, I feel like I’m in round two, ” Mrs Keady said.
“I need to keep going in renewal and evangelisation for the sake of my grand-daughter and those who are to come after her.
“I want them to thrive here in our faith community.”
Ignite Youth are looking forward to welcoming newcomers.
“We hope Queenslanders take the opportunity to attend the conference,” Mrs Keady said.
“We invite leaders, parents and parishioners to personally invite the teenagers and young people in their lives to go along to conference for a life changing four days – let’s take this opportunity to meet in the room and unleash.”
Main speakers at Ignite Conference 2021 include Fr Rob Galea, Missionaries of God’s Love Sister Therese Mills, MenAlive’s Robert Falzon, Sydney priest Fr Dan McCaughan, LifeNET NZ’s Brendan Malone, Lismore diocese’s Ellen Hales and Catholic rap artist Josh Angrisano.
Key partners joining the Ignite Conference team this year include Evangelisation Brisbane, Brisbane Archdiocese, Brisbane Catholic Education.
Go to https://igniteconference.com.au to register.
