Around 78 participants gathered at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish in Riverton on 6–7 March 2026 for the parish’s annual FAST24, a 24-hour Lenten experience of prayer, reflection and community.

Now in its 11th year, FAST24 invites participants to step away from the usual rhythm of life and enter into a shared journey of fasting, listening and faith conversation.

This year’s theme, “Always Returning, Always Becoming,” reflected the Christian understanding that faith is a lifelong process of continually returning to God and allowing Him to shape one’s life.

The event brought together speakers from both overseas and Australia who shared personal stories of faith, struggle and renewal.

Among them was Gregory Tan from Singapore, who spoke about rediscovering faith after the loss of his wife to cancer and now serves in the Landings Ministry, which helps people reconnect with the Church.

Married couple Desi Perera and Stephanie Kee from Penang, Malaysia, shared their experiences of journeying to faith and accompanying others through Alpha and Landings ministries.

Participants also heard from Isabelle Ochtman, Faith Formation Officer with Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, who reflected on discovering faith during her youth and now helping others explore their own spiritual journeys.

Another speaker was Philip Boon, a chaplain in the Archdiocese of Perth’s Prison Ministry, who spoke about accompanying people who often feel forgotten or judged by society.

The programme began on Friday evening with a simple shared meal, followed by the Stations of the Cross and a keynote reflection by parish priest Fr Paul Manickathan SAC.

Throughout Saturday, participants took part in talks, prayer, small-group conversations, creative activities and a period of Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation.

A new feature this year was the Emmaus Table session, facilitated by Mark Brolly, President of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, who travelled from Melbourne to lead a reflective dialogue among participants and speakers.

The 24-hour fast concluded with the Saturday evening Vigil Mass, where participants wore white FAST24 T-shirts they had designed earlier in the day as a reminder of their baptismal calling.

Following Mass, the community gathered again in the parish hall to share a meal and celebrate the completion of the fast together.

For many participants, FAST24 offered a meaningful opportunity during Lent to reflect on their relationship with God and to accompany one another in the shared journey of faith.