Since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic Church has focussed more emphatically on the need for evangelisation. Prior to the council the stress was on the gospel to foreign nations. Its emphasis now is on re-evangelisation. The message to the world remains unchanged from the commission given it by Jesus: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mt 28:19-20

The most effective evangelisation is to proclaim the saving work of Jesus to people who are easily incorporated into the local parish community. Receive the Fire! will have a double focus. First, there will be teaching and proclamation of the gospel message and how this is to be transmitted today. Second, there will be opportunities for involvement in evangelising the parish of St Francis of Assisi. At their choosing, participants can join visits to retirement homes, visitation to parishioners, street evangelisation or creative evangeli-sation of children. The conference will be a total experience of worship, fellowship, discipleship, service and evangelisation. It will be an experience of Church, hopefully never to be forgotten, and duplicated in many parishes around Australia.

Adrian Commadeur: Conference Chair