Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) will co-host the ‘Mission: one heart many voices’ conference in May – a precursor to Pope Francis’ Extraordinary Mission Month in October.

Registrations are now open for one of Australia’s leading conferences on mission, which will take place at the SMC Conference and Function Centre in Sydney from May 13-15, five months before the Extraordinary Missionary Month, declared by Pope Francis in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Pope Benedict XV’s apostolic letter Maximum Ilud.

“The intention behind Pope Francis’ call for an Extraordinary Missionary Month is to nurture a spirit of missionary transformation in each of us personally as well as the Church’s life and pastoral activity,” said Peter Gates, Deputy National Director of Catholic Mission, which organises the conference jointly with CRA.

“This conference is a critical opportunity for participants to prepare for this extraordinary time.”

Dr Carol Zinn SSJ, Executve Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, will headline the conference, sharing her unique insight on education, business and international NGOs.

She will be joined by the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Bishop Paul Tighe, Catholic Indigenous Leader, Ravina Waldren, and a Commissioner of the Productivity Commission, Robert Fitzgerald AM, among a host of other presenters and workshop facilitators.

“The quality and diversity of the international and local speakers is extraordinary to have at one gathering,” said Mr Gates. “When you add to that the breadth and depth of experience and wisdom that the participants bring, then the conference cannot but be a special experience for all.”

More than 450 delegates are expected at the conference, which will include a strong creative arts element, interactive workshops and masterclasses, and a focus on radical inclusion, encounter and dialogue.

“It is an environment designed to offer inspiration and energy for living the joy of the Gospel and leading mission, coupled with practical learning and experience that enables improved quality of work and ministry,” said Mr Gates.

Mr Gates says the conference will come at a critical time in the journey towards Plenary Council 2020.

“The President of the Plenary Council, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe and Lana Turvey-Collins, the Lead Facilitator, will share the emerging themes from submissions to the Plenary Council and from the nationwide Listening and Dialogue Encounters,” he said.

CRA President Sr Monica Cavanagh rsj said the conference had proven in previous years to be an important gathering for all people engaged in furthering the Gospel Mission in Australia.

“CRA is delighted to once again support this gathering, which has become known for its Gospel-fuelled energy and prophetic vision of what it means to share the Good News today,” she said.

For more information or to register, visit mohmv.com.au or call 1800 257 296.