MAY 17-18

Spiritus International

Leaders Conference

A catalyst for ongoing school and system renewal through high-impact leader, staff and student formation strategies.

Register

Gather with Catholic education leaders from across the world for a time of formation, discernment and renewal in the Holy Spirit.

Three Days of Mission, Formation and Renewal

A Pentecost Sunday celebration is followed by the Spiritus International Leaders Conference at St Mary's Cathedral College and St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

16 May 2027

PENTECOST SUNDAY

On Fire for the Mission

A day of worship, prayer and commissioning celebrating Pentecost and the call of the baptised to participate in the Church's mission. It is connected to—but distinct from—the conference beginning the following day.

17-19 May 2027

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Spiritus International Leaders Conference 2027

For Catholic education leaders, educators, clergy, religious and others committed to renewal. The conference will combine keynote presentations, workshops, prayer, liturgy and practical engagement with the mission of Catholic education.

Conference Registration

Includes the optional Pentecost Sunday event, Fire for the Mission. For Diocesan or system group bookings contact the conference coordinator support@csymi.com

$595pp

Early Bird

Closes 14 February 2027

Register

$649pp

Full Conference

Closes 1 May 2027

Register

$349pp

Clergy & Religious

Closes 1 May 2027

Register

$25pp

Pentecost Sunday only

Closes 13 May 2027

Register

FAQ

Registration

  • Registration is online through TryBooking.

    Full Conference registration includes the Conference on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 May 2027, as well as the optional Fire for the Mission Pentecost Sunday gathering on 16 May.

    Registration fees are:

    • Early Bird: $595 per person — available until 14 February 2027

    • Full Conference: $649 per person — registrations close 1 May 2027

    • Clergy and Religious: $349 per person — registrations close 1 May 2027

    All prices exclude GST.

    Diocesan and system group bookings are also available. Please contact the Conference Coordinator for details.

    Leaders from Sydney Archdiocesan Systemic Catholic Schools will receive a separate registration link from Sydney Catholic Schools.

  • Early Bird registration closes on 14 February 2027.

    Full Conference and Clergy and Religious registrations close on 1 May 2027, subject to capacity.

    Registration for Fire for the Mission – Pentecost Sunday only closes on 13 May 2027.

    Diocesan and system group expressions of interest close on 1 December 2026.

  • Separate Monday-only or Tuesday-only Conference registrations are not available.

    However, Fire for the Mission, our Pentecost Sunday gathering on 16 May, can be attended separately

    from the Conference. Registration is $25 plus GST and includes afternoon tea and a light meal.

    Full Conference registration already includes Fire for the Mission.

  • Yes. Fire for the Mission on Pentecost Sunday, 16 May, is open to parishioners, Catholic movements, young adults, youth ministry leaders, teachers, school leaders, clergy, religious and others who wish to participate.

    Sunday-only registration is $25 plus GST, including afternoon tea and a light meal.

  • No. Fire for the Mission is included in your Full Conference registration.

    You only need to use the separate Pentecost Sunday registration if you are attending Fire for the

    Mission but not the Conference on Monday and Tuesday.

  • Yes. If you are unable to attend, your registration may be transferred to another person from the same organisation. Please contact the Conference Coordinator to arrange the change of delegate.

    Cancellations received on or before 16 March 2027 may be refunded. Registration fees are non-refundable after 16 March 2027, although a substitute delegate may be nominated.

  • Yes. Group booking arrangements are available for dioceses and Catholic education systems.

    Please contact the SIL Conference Coordinator to discuss your group requirements. Group expressions of interest close on 1 December 2026.

Accommodation

A selection of hotels close to St Mary's Cathedral College

Learn more

FAQ

Venue, Accommodation and Catering

  • No accommodation is available at St Mary’s Cathedral College.

    However, the Conference is located in the heart of Sydney, with a range of hotels within easy walking distance. We have identified a selection of nearby accommodation options to suit different budgets.

    Delegates are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation directly with their chosen hotel.

  • Yes. Delegates will be able to advise us of dietary requirements when registering. We will work with our caterers to accommodate common dietary requirements and food allergies wherever reasonably possible.

    If you have a serious allergy or particular dietary requirement, please provide full details when registering.

  • We want the Conference to be accessible and welcoming to all delegates.

    If you have mobility, accessibility or other participation requirements, please provide details when registering so that we can assist with appropriate arrangements.

Teaching & Leading as Vocation

MONDAY 17 MAY

Recovering the Heart of Catholic Education

Registration

8.15 - 9.00am

Opening

9.00 - 9.30am

Leadership as Vocation

9.30 - 10.30am

Morning Tea

10.30 - 11.00am

New Maps of Hope

11.00am -12.00pm

Breakouts A

12.10 - 12.55pm

Lunch

12.55 - 1.40pm

Breakouts B

1.40 - 2.25pm

Executive Leadership Forum

2.30 - 3.20pm

Afternoon Tea

3.20 - 4.00pm

Conference Mass

4.00 - 5.00pm

Reception and Dinner

5.30pm onward

Leading & Forming the Next Generation

TUESDAY 18 MAY

Discipleship, Ministry and Vocation

Morning Gathering

8.45 - 9.00am

Catholic Schools Launch of Eucharistic Congress 2028

The Awakening of the Young

9.00 - 10.10am

10.10 - 10.30am

Morning Tea

10.30 - 11.00am

Breakouts C

11.00 - 11.45am

Breakouts D

11.55am - 12.40pm

Sending Forth

12.40 - 1.15pm

Light Lunch (Main Conference formally concludes)

1.15pm onward

Spiritus International Assembly

2.00 - 4.00pm

SUNDAY 16 MAY

Fire for the Mission

Pentecost Sunday Program

Registration and Fellowship

1.15 - 2.30pm

Witnesses to the Nations

2.00 - 3.00pm

Afternoon Tea

3.00 - 3.30pm

A Current of Grace

3.30 - 5.00pm

Fellowship Meal

5.00 - 6.00pm

Pentecost Sunday Mass

6.00pm onward

FAQ

Conference Program

  • The Spiritus International Leaders Conference will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney, Australia, on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 May 2027.

    The optional Fire for the Mission Pentecost Sunday gathering takes place on Sunday 16 May, with the program culminating in the 6.00pm Pentecost Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.

  • Full Conference registration includes:

    • the Conference program on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 May;

    • more than twenty breakout opportunities;

    • morning tea and lunch during the Conference;

    • the Conference Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral;

    • the International Leaders Reception on Monday afternoon;

    • the optional Fire for the Mission Pentecost Sunday gathering on 16 May.

    The Sunday program includes formation, international testimonies, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, afternoon tea, a light meal and the 6.00pm Pentecost Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral.

  • On Monday 17 May, registration and delegate pack collection are available from 8.15am, with the Conference commencing at 9.00am. The formal Conference program concludes with Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral from 4.00pm, followed by the International Leaders Reception and dinner at local restaurants.

    On Tuesday 18 May, the program begins at 8.45am. The main Conference formally concludes following the Sending Forth and a light lunch from 1.15pm.

    The Spiritus International Assembly will then be held from 2.00pm to 4.00pm for dioceses, schools, ministries and partners involved in, or interested in exploring, Spiritus Leader Formation and Spiritus Youth Ministry.

  • Breakout session registrations will open on 1 February 2027.

    Registered delegates will be contacted and invited to select their preferred sessions. The program includes more than twenty breakout opportunities across Monday and Tuesday, exploring both Spiritus Leader Formation and Spiritus Youth Ministry and the wider renewal and mission of Catholic education.

  • The Conference is particularly designed for:

    • Catholic education system leaders and directors;

    • school principals, Directors of Mission and leadership teams;

    • Religious Education coordinators, teachers and youth ministers;

    • past Spiritus participants.

    It will also be of interest to others involved in Catholic education, formation, evangelisation, leadership and ministry.

  • No. You do not need to be a current or past Spiritus participant.

    The Conference is an international gathering for those interested in the Spirit-led renewal of Catholic education and the formation of educators, leaders and young people for the Church’s mission of evangelisation.

    It will also provide opportunities for those new to Spiritus to learn about Spiritus Leader Formation, Spiritus Youth Ministry and emerging opportunities for collaboration.

  • Where permission has been provided by presenters, selected Conference presentations and resources will be made available to registered delegates following the Conference.

    Further information about accessing these resources will be provided to delegates.

Partners

Conference Enquiries

For Conference enquiries, diocesan or system group bookings, or other assistance, please contact

Greg Wilson | SIL Conference Coordinator support@csymi.com