Across Sydney, something remarkable is happening. In the midst of Advent and as the year draws to a close, the archdiocese is experiencing a revival of faith, community, and mission.
A Second Spring – A New Dawn of Faith in Sydney, the new documentary from the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation, delves into the people, stories, and initiatives behind this vibrant resurgence.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, speaking to hundreds of Catholics gathered across Sydney for this year’s Synod consultations, challenged the prevailing narrative of religious decline.
As the community prepared to help shape the future of the church, he pointed to the “green shoots of faith” emerging in parishes, chaplaincies, and communities across Sydney, reminding listeners how quickly “a spiritual winter can thaw into a spring.”
The archbishop highlighted this year’s Rite of Election ceremony, where he welcomed nearly 400 converts entering the church at Easter, a record number.
This milestone, he reflected, builds on five years of consistent growth, reflecting a 30 per cent annual increase in adult converts, and serves as concrete evidence of this revival.
Inspired by the archbishop’s message of hope, the new documentary shines a light on the many collaborative efforts that have nurtured this renewal, emerging just five years after His Grace founded the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation (SCE) to help ignite a fresh momentum and bring to life the vision of renewal expressed in Go Make Disciples, his mission plan for Sydney.
Exploring a selection of evangelisation initiatives and some of the many agencies contributing to the life of the archdiocese, the documentary presents both statistical evidence and personal testimonies of this resurgence.
Through conversations with clergy, lay leaders, local parishioners, and volunteers, and by revisiting key events from the year, it captures the moments and efforts that have inspired such hope for many thousands of Sydneysiders.
From the growing demand for faith-based education in our Catholic schools, to the 20,000 Catholics who came together for this year’s Walk with Christ procession, organised by Bishop Richard Umbers, Vicar for Evangelisation, and to smaller acts of kindness like the rising number of volunteers joining local social outreach initiatives, this revival is vividly captured within Sydney’s faith community, taking place in our suburbs, churches, and community groups.
“In this quiet yet unmistakable revival unfolding in Sydney, we are certainly witnessing a new vitality, signs that speak powerfully to the ‘second spring’ the archbishop has named and the fruit of the Holy Spirit,” said Daniel Ang, Director for the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.
“This year has offered moments of profound hope, seen not only in the many who entered the church at Easter, but also in the thousands who have committed themselves to learning, training and deepening their discipleship so they are able to live Christ’s mission more fully.
“The large numbers who have come to conferences, events and formation opportunities, undertaken prayer, processions, served the vulnerable and returned to the sacramental life, remind us that God continues to draw hearts to himself in unexpected and grace-filled ways,” said Ang.
Using inspiring and breathtaking footage from the SCE’S most impactful events and initiatives throughout 2025, including the Camino of St Joseph overnight pilgrimage, this year attended by 1200 men, and the Anointed Women’s Retreat attended by more than 1000 women, the film acts as a call to action to Catholics everywhere to live out Christ’s call to evangelise and be courageous witnesses.
“There’s no doubt that people across our parishes are stepping forward with a renewed sense of purpose,” said Ang.
“It is the faith, generosity, and dedication of our clergy, religious, and countless lay leaders – often serving quietly and without fanfare – that has made this renewal possible. Their steadfast commitment, lived in humble acts of self-giving and devotion, have made Christ’s presence tangible among us.”
“Of course, there is never room for complacency, and many more people are yet to be reached and are absent from the table. Yet, as we draw near to the newborn Christ this Advent, this film invites us to pause and breathe in the fresh ‘spring air’ of faith stirring across Sydney.
“It is a moment of gratitude for all the Lord has accomplished in 2025, and of hopeful anticipation for all he will bring to fruition in the year ahead, as we walk toward and pray even now for a Eucharistic revival.”
As Sydney gets ready to welcome the world for the International Eucharistic Conference in 2028, the documentary sets Sydney as the perfect stage for this international gathering as well as serving as a powerful invitation for the local faithful to rekindle their faith and find inspiration in the renewal taking place all around them.
Ang hopes this momentum will continue to grow: “We pray that this season of renewal continues to flourish, as the Holy Spirit ignites hearts, strengthens faith, and forms disciples who will bring Christ’s love boldly into the world. May this wave of grace enable us to become communities where those who have never encountered God, and those seeking to rediscover him, can find a true and welcoming spiritual home.”