A Vibrant Marist Presence at Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2025

The Marist family was out in full force at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, held from 30 November to 2 December 2025. The festival, a vibrant meeting place for young people from across the country, brought together students, schools, ministries, and religious communities in a joyful celebration of faith and connection.

L-R Back: Andrea Grant (MLF/MYM), Pat O Reilly (Marist180), Jeni Miller (MYM), Tony Leon (MLF), St Marcellin Champagnat, Bishop Brian Mascord (Wollongong), Joey Khalil (MYM), Justin Golding  (MLF/MYM), Catherine Glenister (MYM), Pope Leo XIV. L-R Front: Lucas Sharpley (MYM), Michael Callinan (MLF), George Bishop (MYM)

This year, the Marist presence was unmistakable. Representatives from across our ministries came together - Andrea Grant (Marist Mission & Life Formation (MLF) /Marist Youth Ministry (MYM)), Patrick O’Reilly (Marist180), Jenifer Miller (MYM), Br Tony Leon and Br Michael Callinan (MLF), Bishop Brian Mascord (Wollongong), Joseph Khalil (MYM), Justin Golding (MLF/MYM), and Catherine Glenister (MYM), all gathering under the watchful and ever-encouraging presence of Marcellin Champagnat.

At the Marist Expo stall, visitors streamed through, including several Bishops who stopped by to greet the team: Greg Homeming (Lismore), Tim Norton (Broome), Brian Mascord (Wollongong), Tim Costelloe (Perth), and Colomba Macbeth-Green (Wilcannia–Forbes).

But perhaps the greatest highlight was the constant flow of school groups and former students who came by to reconnect - and, of course, to have their photo taken with Marcellin. Among them were groups from, Assumption College, Kilmore,

Marist Catholic College, North Sydney, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes,

Marist College, Kogarah, St Augustine’s College, Cairns, Marist Sion College, Warragul,

Marcellin College, Bulleen, Marcellin College, Randwick, Marist College, Bendigo,

Corpus Christi College, Maroubra, Trinity College, Auburn, and St Joseph’s College, Samoa.