Abounding in hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:12)

A delegate of 80 ACU students will attend the Ignite Conference this fortnight – the largest Catholic youth conference in Australia. As a platinum sponsor of the conference, ACU will showcase our mission in action by running the young adults stream at the conference.

Our students (among the 3000 plus attendees) will engage with the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person, and the common good, in a vibrant expression of the Church. The faith formation offerings over the four days include keynote speakers, workshops, liturgies, and dynamic praise music. This year’s Ignite Conference also emphasises a renewed sense of hope – for their sense of self-worth, belonging, and ability to make a difference with their lives.

To help our students get the most out of this experience, our Campus Ministry teams are facilitating one-day retreats the day before the conference begins, with Andre and Angele Regnier, founders of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO). After the conference, we ask our students to take their experience of Ignite and to use it to make meaningful contributions to our campus communities.

Ignites 2024 theme is, ‘Rise Up’. Kym Keady, Director of Ignite Youth and the main facilitators of the conference said: “I believe this generation needs to 'rise up from the ashes' of Covid, our mental health, our personal challenges, and to breathe again. To step into a rebirth and renewed life. To discover hope and meaning and purpose again.”

ACU also recently celebrated R U OK? Day on each campus, equipping our community for meaningful conversations around mental health. Both events are grounded in an opportunity to connect with others and an invitation to trust in a future filled with hope.

Our university’s Catholic faith tradition tells us to “abound in hope” (Romans 15:12), and that we can trust in Jesus’s promises not by our own strength, but by relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1817). This hope and experience of not being alone in struggles is a transforming reality.

If you’re a person of prayer, consider praying for our students particularly this fortnight – that they encounter a life changing experience of hope, and engage with this opportunity to be equipped to share this hope with others.

You can view the conference highlights from Ignite Youth and stream the Ignite Conference playlist. You can also find more resources on R U OK Day? on their website.

Ellen Ringrose-Voase, Campus Pastoral Associate for students, Canberra Campus