Second Archdiocesan Assembly & Festival Week
by Woden South
Festival Week Overview
The Archdiocesan Assembly Festival Assembly Festival webpage has begun across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, leading up to the Archdiocesan Assembly on Saturday, 22 August 2026, 9am-4pm. With the theme “Get Up! Listen! Go!”, Archbishop Christopher Prowse invites us to pray, listen and discern together as we seek to renew the life and mission of our local Church.
When: Sunday, 16 August – Saturday, 23 August
What: A week of events across the Archdiocese, culminating in the main Archdiocesan Assembly on Saturday, 22 August.
Who: Open to all parishioners and community members. Registrations remain open. Register for the Assembly
Find out more, including Assembly locations and activities, in the Archdiocesan Assembly Festival flyer.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, 18 August | Guinness & God
- Guest: Fr Rob Galea
- Where: King O’Malley’s, 131 City Walk, Canberra
- Target Audience: Young adults aged 18–30 (especially those not currently active in their faith).
- Details: A relaxed gathering to meet others, enjoy good conversation, and explore questions of faith.
Wednesday, 19 August | Diaconate Ordination of Don Gomez
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Where: St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra
- Details: Ordination of Don Gomez to the permanent diaconate. All members of the Archdiocese are warmly invited to attend and pray together.
Thursday, 20 August | Launch of the 2027–2033 Apostolic Action Plan
Find out more about the Apostolic Action Plan.
- Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Where: National Convention Centre, Canberra
- Details: Official launch of Grounded in Faith, Growing in Service. Archbishop Christopher Prowse will celebrate Mass to open the event, with over 1,000 students attending from across the Archdiocese’s 56 schools.
- Key Goals:
- Faith oxygenates every subject in the curriculum.
- Every school achieves above-expected progress in literacy and numeracy.
Friday, 21 August | Witnesses of Hope: Ecumenical Prayer Vigil
- Time: 6:00 PM (updated start time)
- Where: St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra
- Who: Leaders, parishioners, and members of all Christian denominations, ministries, and communities across the Archdiocese and broader region.
- Details: An ecumenical prayer service bringing together diverse Christian traditions to pray, reflect, and give shared witness to hope on the eve of the Assembly.
Saturday, 22 August | Archdiocesan Assembly
What: A gathering for the Catholic community to come together, reflect on the life and mission of the Church, and participate in a shared journey of discernment.
The Assembly will build on the Archdiocese’s 2024 gathering and focus on evangelisation and synodality in our local Church.
When: Saturday, 22 August 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Where: Assembly hubs across the Archdiocese, including Canberra, Goulburn, Temora, Tumut, Batehaven, Bega and Cooma. Further details about locations and online participation are available through the Assembly Festival webpage.
Who: Parishioners and members of parishes, Catholic schools, ministries, movements, communities and organisations across the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
Registrations are still open. Please register and take your place on the Archdiocesan journey.
Sunday, 23 August | Thanksgiving Mass
- Time: 11:00 AM
- Where: St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra
- Details: Concluding Mass giving thanks for the Assembly and looking ahead to the Archdiocese’s shared mission and journey of faith. All are welcome.
