Young Tasmanians return inspired to share Christ’s light

By Josh Low

A group of 18 young people from Tasmania recently returned home inspired and spiritually uplifted after attending the annual Ignite Conference in Sydney.

Two seminarians and two priests of the Archdiocese joined the 18 for the conference which mixed high energy praise and worship rallies with moments of quiet reflection and prayer.

The national Catholic youth event, which drew more than 900 participants from across Australia, was centred on a verse from the Gospel of John (1:5), “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Office of Youth Evangelisation Director, Darcy Rogers, said many of the young people experienced a great spirit of encouragement to network and grow in faith.

“Our Tassie group loved journeying together – many loved the theme focused on the Light of Christ, and it spoke to all the things we keep to ourselves and brought them into Jesus’ light.

“We desire for all those who came to Ignite to continue to share the light they have experienced, and to continue leading in their parishes, school, and university communities, in the lead up to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in December, and beyond!”

Among the attendees was return participant Angela Gethin, who described the conference as “a beautiful experience.”

“My favourite speakers were Simon Carrington, Fr Columba from Ireland and Fr Sam French – they were all really based (sic) and offered some amazing insights into the faith.

“It was such a unique experience to see what the Australian Church is like and to be reminded that we’re not on our own, as it can feel really isolating as part of the Church in Tasmania,” she said.

Year 12 student, Cheng-En Oakham, said while the experience was “eye-opening” and deeply moving, it also offered both spiritual nourishment and personal direction.

“Over the course of the conference, we had many chances to open our hearts and minds to God.

“As someone who’s uncertain about what my pathway may be in life, it was good to be reassured that God has a plan for each and every one of us,” he said.

“To ask ourselves, ‘What has God called me to do?’ and ‘How can I use my God-given gifts to bring light to the world?’”

Mersey-Leven Parish assistant priest Fr Ashan Peiris was one of the two priests who attended the conference, and said the four-day event gave him hope and joy.

“What touched me most was the profound reverence and love the young people had for the Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

“Those sacred moments were filled with silence, prayer, music, and tears – and I know many hearts were deeply moved, including mine. It was a beautiful testament to how God is very much alive in the hearts of the young,” he said.