THIS weekend, 45 students and adult leaders are heading to Ignite Conference from Maroochydore.

The 10:10 Maroochydore youth group will be joining thousands of other young Catholics from across Australia to spend four days learning about the faith and encountering God through praise, worship, sacraments, rallies and more.

Fr Gerard Lai and the group made their way to St Laurence’s College in Brisbane last Thursday.

Fr Lai said this is his tenth time attending the conference and he always looks forward to hearing talks from the “inspirational speakers”.

“I always go home remembering a few pieces of excellent information and the music is just so lively,” he said.

“It is all awesome Catholic praise and worship.”

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘ASCEND’ and it is an invitation to for young people to rise above the familiar and step boldly into the great adventure God has for them.

The group was able to attend the popular event with a discounted ticket price due to the “generosity of parishioners” who donated through their participation in the Parish Footy Tipping Competition.

“Thank you to everyone over the past nine months who have supported the fundraising that has made our participation in the Ignite Conference possible,” parish priest Fr Peter Brannelly said.

Ignite Conference is coordinated each year by Ignite Youth, a ministry of the Emmanuel Community in Brisbane.