The Spiritus International Leaders Conference 2027 will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney, beginning on Pentecost Sunday, followed by a two-day conference on 17–18 May 2027.

Building on the outstanding success of the 2024 Canberra conference, which welcomed more than 340 participants and 70 international visitors, the 2027 gathering promises to be an inspiring global encounter for Catholic educators, leaders and formation specialists. Save the date and join us for this Signum Fidei celebration of faith, leadership and mission

Hosted by Sydney Catholic Schools at St Mary’s Cathedral College, in the heart of Sydney. Organised by ACU La Salle Academy & Spiritus Youth Ministry International (formerly CSYMI).

Program

• Pentecost Sunday, 16 May 2027 (optional opening day) — “Fire for the Mission”, 2.00pm–7.30pm: an integral opening of prayer, testimony and adoration, culminating in the 6.00pm Pentecost Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.
• Monday 17 May — Vocational Leadership: deepening our understanding of teaching and leading as a Spirit-given vocation, with international keynote witnesses and Mass celebrating and renewing the educator’s vocation.
• Tuesday 18 May — Leading and Forming the Next Generation: extending vocation into mission with young people, exploring pathways from student discipleship to youth ministry and the future of the teaching profession. Spiritus International General Assembly, 2.00pm–4.30pm.

Who should attend: past Spiritus participants; Catholic education system leaders and directors; school principals and leadership teams; religious education coordinators, teachers and youth ministers.

Keynote speakers and contributors include Ms Danielle Cronin (Executive Director, Sydney Catholic Schools), Professor Edward P. Hahnenberg (Breen Chair in Catholic Theology, John Carroll University, USA), Most Rev. Michael Gielen (Bishop of Christchurch, NZ), Fr Friedrich Bechina (former Undersecretary, Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education), Ms Barbara Coupar (Director, Scottish Catholic Education Service), Prof. Br David Hall (Dean, ACU La Salle Academy), Mr Peter Woods (Director Teacher Formation, ACU La Salle Academy), Bishop Tony Percy (Auxiliary Bishop, Sydney Archdiocese), Fr Ronald Houkidis (National Executive Secretary for Catholic Education, Uganda), Louise Vella-Cox (Director Mission and Learning, Townsville Catholic Education), Janina Starkey (Mission and Faith Lead, NCEC) and Kelly Humphrey (ACU Pro-Vice Chancellor First Nations). Other national and international speakers to be announced.

Registration: formal registration and the full program will be released in August 2026, with discounted registration for diocesan group pre-commitments, early bird, clergy and religious.

Source: Spiritus International Leaders Conference 2027 — Save the Date