In the first week of the July school holidays, young people from across the Diocese came together in Bathurst to have fun, create new friendships and to go deeper in their relationship with God.

RISE was hosted by St Philomena’s and Cathedral Primary Schools, with accommodation and evening activities held at the Bathurst Goldfields.

RISE is themed around the Diocesan vision for Youth Ministry: Engage, Ignite, Send. In these three words, we are given a template of how to connect across our Diocese. This year the emphasis was placed on Ignite – igniting in young people a relationship with Jesus and allowing opportunities where this could be deepened.

At moments such as the Reconciliation evening, where we were blessed to have five priests join us, or during visits to Bathurst Uniting Safe Space, Mary Mackillop Today or by the SES, our young people were given a glimpse of how we can strengthen our own faith and allow it to grow and to be the individual we are called to be.

Thanks to all the volunteers from across our Diocese who made this encounter a success and gave so many young people a chance to deepen their faith.

The final words should go to some of our participants from RISE ‘23…

RISE is such an amazing experience that deepens your personal faith, but also strengthens really positive friendships that are made. It is a place where everybody gets out of it what they put in. It allows you to have an experience with Jesus in a comfortable place with friends around you.
Marie

I am so grateful for RISEN and RISE because it opened me back to my faith and allowed me to meet fantastic people who helped me through that journey.

I enjoy the RISE camps and other similar camps because it gives me a time to reflect on my faith without the other distractions of daily life.
Flynn

RISE has helped me to reflect on my faith.
Laura

My faith grows stronger everyday and every time I go to RISE it deepens even further.
Murray