Keynote Speaker
Sr Rose Pacatte
Pauline Center for Media Studies, Los Angeles
Sr Rose will explore the transformative potential and challenges of Catholic communication in the digital era with insights from Catholic teaching, Pope Francis, and Catholic Social Teaching.
Discover strategies for fostering authentic dialogue, navigating online pitfalls, and building bridges in the digital landscape. Join us to break the silence and proclaim the Good News in freedom and faith to embrace our role as digital evangelizers.
Pauline sister Rose Pacatte, FSP, MEd., D.Min., is the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies (PCMS) in Los Angeles, CA, and currently heads the Center’s international office in Rome. Rose is a media literacy education specialist and an award-winning film critic and co-authored five books in the Lights, Camera, Faith series on film and scripture (Pauline Books & Media) with Australian priest Peter Malone, MSH.
Program
August 28, Wednesday
Day One
8.00 am
Congress Registration
9.00 am
Welcome to Congress and Housekeeping
9.15 am
Opening Prayer
9.25 am
Keynote 1
Sr Rose Pacatte
"Breaking the Silence: The Power and Pitfalls of Catholic Communication in the Digital Landscape"
⇢ Keynote details
10:25 am
Q&A Panel Session
10:45 am
Morning Tea
11:15 am
Keynote 2
Bishop Richard Umbers
"Eucharistic Congress"
⇢ Keynote details
12:05 pm
Q&A Panel Session
12:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm
Masterclass 1
1A Advertising Essentials
1B Websites that work
1C Video Production
1D How to Publish a Book
⇢ View workshop details
2:45 pm
Afternoon Tea
3:15 pm
Masterclass 2
2A Media Mindfulness and Catholic Journalism
2B Websites that work
2C Australian Media Landscape
2D Strategic Planning
⇢ View workshop details
4:30 pm
Closing
7:00-9:00 pm
ACPA Awards Cocktail Function
(ACPA members only)
August 29, Thursday
Day Two
9.00 am
Day Two: Welcome back and notices
9.10 am
Prayer
9:15 am
Keynote 3
Paul Osborne
"The ABC of Artificial Intelligence"
⇢ Keynote details
10:10 am
Q&A Panel Session
Sr Rose Pacatte
Gaby Yuen
Tom Finnigan
10:30 am
Morning Tea
11:00 am
Keynote 4
Adrian Cropley
Creativity with Heart
⇢ Keynote details
11:40 am
Q&A Panel Session
Sr Rose Pacatte
Monika Lancucki
Adrian Cropley
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Masterclass 3
3A Creatives Unleashed
3B Newsletters that work
3C Government Advocacy
3D AI Basics and Ethics
⇢ View workshop details
2:00 pm
Afternoon Tea
2:30 pm
Masterclass 4
4A Advanced AI
4B Advanced Video Production
4C Creative Communications Planning
4D Photography
⇢ View workshop details
3:30 pm
Closing
4:30 pm
Bus to CBD
5:30 pm
Conference Mass
St Mary's Cathedral
Archbishop Anthony Fisher
6:30 for 7:00 pm
Conference Dinner
NSW Parliament
Peter Greste
⇢ About the speaker
10:20 pm
Bus returns to North Sydney
August 30, Friday
Day Three
9.00 am
Day Two: Welcome back and notices
9.08 am
Day Two: Welcome back and notices
9.10 am
Keynote 5
Caritas Australia
"Mission, Social Justice and Communication"
⇢ Keynote details
10:15 am
Q&A Panel Session
Caritas Australia
Lawrence Gigliotti
Jesuit Refugee Service
11:00 am
Morning Tea
11:30 am
Keynote 6
Fr Sam French
"Reaching young audiences"
⇢ Keynote details
12:15 pm
Congress Close & Final Blessing
Follow us on Facebook!
Follow the Media Congress official Facebook page to get updates/announcement and join discussions in the comments on Congress-related topics.
Rydges North Sydney
Located at the heart of North Sydney's bustling business district, Rydges North Sydney North Sydney is perfectly positioned for easy connections. Only 15 kilometres from Sydney Airport and over the iconic Harbour Bridge to Sydney CBD, Rydges North Sydney offers easy access to numerous local attractions, including Taronga Zoo and Luna Park.
Rydges North Sydney North Sydney offers a range of thoughtful amenities to complement your stay. Take advantage of our on-site parking, 24-hour reception and laundry service. Purpose-built function venues can host up to 250 people for successful meetings and events, or stylish weddings.
FAQ
Got questions? We're here to answer! If you don't see your question here, you can talk to us directly. Send your inquiries to media@catholic.org.au
What is the Congress?
The Australian Catholic Communications Congress is an event held every three years to bring together Catholics for a formation experience, to discuss and learn about media and communications.
Where is it being held?
The 2024 Congress is being held at the Rydges North Sydney.
What are the dates for the Congress?
The Congress will run from August 28 to 30, 2024.
Where can I stay?
There are lots of places to stay in North Sydney.
We've put together a list of accommodations that you might find appealing: https://mediacongress.catholic.au/venue/
How do I get to North Sydney?
Sydney domestic airport is 15km south of the venue.
North Sydney train station is 800 metres from the venue.
There is car parking available at the Rydges North Sydney and other accommodation, which can be booked ahead of time.
Do I have to be working in the media or communications to attend?
No. This event will offer a broad range of experiences which we hope will be of interest for volunteers involved in parish newsletters and social media, as well as communications professionals seeking to upgrade their skills and network with colleagues.
Do I have to attend every day?
There is one flat-rate registration fee for the Congress, but you are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
What are the arrangements for the Congress dinner?
The Congress dinner will be held at the NSW Parliament on August 29. The dress code is business attire. There will be a Mass at St Mary's Cathedral at 5.30pm followed by drinks at the NSW Parliament from 6.30pm and dinner at 7pm. Guest speaker will be journalist Peter Greste.
Downloads and Resources
Register your team!
You may register multiple participants under one account. Click on the button to go to the Eventbrite event page to view pricing.
Download event resources
Join Congress mailing list
