Melbourne
Perth
4-11 January
10-16 January
Sydney
4-11 January
“Young ones may grow tired and weary, youths may stumble, but those who hope in the Lord renew their strength, they put out wings like eagles. They run and do not grow weary, walk and never tire”
ISAIAH 40:30-31
You were made to soar.
In a world that often exhausts and overwhelms, God’s Word reminds us: we were not made to burn out or break down.
We were Made to Soar.
As we move forward from the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, the invitation remains—to place our hope not in ourselves, but in the Lord. He renews our strength. He lifts us above fear, shame, and weariness. He calls us to rise.
Summer School 2026 is a call to reclaim that promise. To be renewed. To run without growing weary. To walk without losing heart. To spread our wings in the power of the Spirit—and soar.
Three locations.
One incredible journey.
For over 30 years Summer School has been serving the needs of young people around Australia and beyond. Come to a Summer School and walk the journey with us. Let God lead you along the special path he has planned for your life.
The Summer School of Evangelisation has a central purpose – the unique encounter between each person and the Living God whose great love and mercy has overflowed for all humanity from the dawn of creation. Through the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are “made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). It is in this new life that we are able to live life to the full.
What is it?
A weeklong retreat into the powerful experience of the Holy Spirit, opening up possibilities for deepening faith, peace, healing, joy, freedom and passion for the Gospel of Jesus. Summer School is for 16-35 year olds.
Connect
Journey with other like-minded people for the week, forming a unique faith community, bonded by a shared vision to seek God in the Summer of School of Evangelisation. Share and support each other through allocated small group time each day with those of similar ages. Build new friendships and discover the vibrant youth and young adults in our Catholic Church.
What happens?
Presentations & lectures are given by those with formal theological training and/or extensive personal experience of faith and Christian Community. Lectures topics include Scripture, Catholic teaching, Evangelisation, Living as a Disciple, and Prayer.
Seminars offer a practical opportunity to experience, participate in, and question, issues, methods, and vision for evangelisation in areas such as: Prayer, Discernment, Healing, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Intercession and Faith in Action.
There are many opportunities for communal and personal prayer, including Charismatic praise and worship and Mass.
Register & Contact
Each Summer School is run independently. To register or contact the organisers, please follow the links below.
Melbourne
4 - 11 January
4 - 11 January
Sydney
10 - 16 January
Perth
Summer School is a work of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, a group of people who together attempt to live the Christian life under the grace of renewal of the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5,8). The Disciples of Jesus is a Catholic Community with branches throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines and Indonesia. It is comprised of families, single people, priests and consecrated men and women.
The Disciples of Jesus Community is a member of CHARIS* (formerly, the Catholic Fraternity of Covenant Communities) whose statutes were recognised by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in Rome in 1993. The Community is approved as a Private Association of Christ’s Faithful within the Catholic Church.
Summer School comes under the direction of Fr Ken Barker, a member of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community and the Missionaries of God’s Love.
Perth is operated by the Perth Branch of the Disciples of Jesus. Melbourne is operated by the Melbourne Branch of the Disciples of Jesus. Sydney is operated by the North Sydney, Sydney South, Blue Mountains, Wollongong & Canberra Branches of the Disciples of Jesus.
*CHARIS is not a Public Association of Lay People, but a body established by the Holy See, through the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life endowed with public juridic personality. CHARIS’ statutes were recognised at the Vatican, 8 December 2018.