Will arrive in Geraldton Tuesday 10th & Wednesday
11th of June 2008.
Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 7.00pm Tuesday
evening followed by a Prayer Vigil until Midnight, with opportunities to
venerate the cross.
On Wednesday 11th June the Schools will be
participating in a ceremony on SFX Primary Oval. This will be followed by a
Procession, taking in the Sydney Memorial, Marine Tce Mall and back to the
Cathedral.
Gatherr up the family, call in your friends and come on down to St Francis
Xavier
Primary School grounds and join us. Lots of stalls, lots of fun! 10.00am – 2.00pm on
Sunday June 8th.
ARRIVING IN GERALDTON…..THE
JOURNEY OF THE CROSS AND ICON In preparation
for World Youth Day in July in Sydney this year the WYD Cross and Icon will be
coming to our Diocese in early June, specifically to Geraldton, on Tues 10th
& Wed 11th June. A Mass is being planned for 7.00pm on Tuesday 10th
followed by a Vigil of Prayer with the opportunity to venerate the cross until
midnight.
On Wednesday Schools will be involved
in ceremonies at St Francis Xavier Primary School oval and then a procession
will take place, taking in the Sydney Memorial, going through the centre of the
City in Marine Tce and back to the Cathedral.
Also in preparation a Family Fun Day
will be held in the grounds of SFX School as a major fundraiser on Sunday June 8th
from 10.00am-1.00pm.
Diocesanwydsyd08
Committee
A diocesan Committee for World Youth Day, Sydney 2008, is being formed to
generate interest throughout the Diocese in what promises to be a spectacular
manifestation of Faith. Under the guidance of Fr. Robert O'Bryan,
Northampton, five members have been chosen with other representatives
to be named. Regular updates will be carried on this page. Ann Boyle; Glen Clarkson; Hoanh Hoang; Emma Nolan; Tom Thuijs,(
Chairperson); Fr. Robert O'Bryan. (Diocesan Liason).
To:
Parish Priests and Parish World Youth Day Coordinators
From: Fr
Robert O’Bryan
Topic: Latest
Diocesan World Youth Day update
From: The desk of Fr Robert O’Bryan
To: Parish Priests, Pastoral Associates and Parish
World Youth Day Co-ordinators.
WORLD YOUTH DAY
15-20th July 2008
“You will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses.”
NEWSLETTER NOTICE
Please advertise the
two items below 25th, 1st June and 8th of June.
Sun, surf, beaches & sand-dunes; home of the Sydney Memorial; World renowned
Monsignor Hawes Cathedral; Wildlife Park; wildflowers; Leaning Trees of
Greenough; the Faith of its people engraved in the wonderful testament of it’s
churches.
Welcome to the Geraldton Diocese’s information page for the World Youth Day 08
“Days in the Diocese”.
The
Geraldton Diocese was established in 1898. The Diocese is situated in central
Western Australia. The city of Geraldton is where the Bishop resides and is
located 420kms north of the capital city of Perth. It is the largest diocese
within Australia and is close to the biggest in the world covering an area of
1,318.000 sq. km. It serves the areas of the Mid-West, Gascoyne, Eastern
Goldfields, Murchison and Pilbara regions of Western Australia.
Bishop
Justin Bianchini is the eighth Bishop of Geraldton. He leads the Diocese
made up of 12 Parishes and 28 other Mass Centres. The Pastoral Care of the
people is carried out by 15 Priests and a similar number of Religious
Sisters.
Apart from some local Vocations, the Clergy come from various parts of the world,
including Ireland, Poland, the Philippines, and some c
ountries
of the African Continent. The Religious Sisters come from different
Congregations.
Because of the vastness of the Diocese Bishop Justin only makes one Pastoral
Visitation to the Northern part of the Diocese every two years. He travels by
car and spends approximately two months away.
We
welcome groups of pilgrims from other countries to our multicultural diocese.
The Diocese has a wide range of industries including farming, grazing, mining,
fishing as well as many Government and private industries.
As you can imagine the “Days in the Diocese” time is limited and one could not
expect to see most of the things we have to offer. We plan however to make your
stay in the Diocese both a rewarding and spiritual experience by hosting
pilgrims in and around the city of Geraldton.
One of the most visited highlights of the Geraldton Diocese is the Monsignor
John Cyril Hawes Heritage Trail which includes the many Churches this renowned
Architect/Priest designed and or built in the Diocese.
The
most well known of his buildings is the St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton
which had two openings, one in 1918 and the other in 1936.
We have a small Indigenous Community within the City of Geraldton who meet
regularly in their own parish centre.
You can check us out a little bit more at http://www.geraldtondiocese.org.
Geraldton is a very friendly community with a great climate and would be a
fantastic place to start your pilgrimage.
For more information contact:-
Bishop's Secretary - HelenL@diocese-geraldton.org
Fr. Robert O'Bryan -
northamptoncatholic@westnet.com.au
UPDATE NEWS—
November 2007
John Paul II Named Patron for Youth Day '08
9 Others Chosen, Including Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
SYDNEY, Australia, NOV. 5, 2007 (
Zenit.org).-
World Youth Day organizers say that Servant of God Pope John Paul II was a
natural choice as one of the event's 10 patrons, since the Polish Pontiff
invented WYDs in 1986.
L'Osservatore Romano published the list of patrons chosen for WYD '08, to be
held in Sydney in July.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frasatti, a student and athlete who worked with
Catholic Action of Italy, also made the list. Blessed Pier died at age 24 in
1925.
The Polish woman religious who inspired the future John Paul II, Saint
Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), was also chosen.
Another patron is a native of WYD's host country. Blessed Mary McKillop, the
first Australian woman to be canonized, was also the first to found a
religious order Down Under, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Cross.
Also included is St. Peter Chanel and St. Therese of Lisieux. Another
Oceanian is Blessed Peter To Rot, a catechist from Papua New Guinea, the son
of a tribal chief and a husband, who was martyred in a Japanese
concentration camp at the end of World War II.
St. Maria Goretti and
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta were also chosen. And finally, the Virgin Mary
under the title of "Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians,"
protector of Australia, is being counted as the event's patron.
The organizers are encouraging youth to consecrate themselves to the Virgin
of the Southern Cross with the spirit of John Paul II's motto, "Totus Tuus."
Youth Day Countdown; a Carmelite Primer
Melbourne Prepares the Way for Sydney 2008
ROME, JULY 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).-
In just about one year, 5 million of the world's youth will gather Down Under to
celebrate World Youth Day 2008.
While Sydney, Australia, will be home for a week to the millions who will come
together to meet Benedict XVI, the Diocese of Melbourne, to the south of Sydney,
will also host thousands in the days prior to the main events.
Tim Davis is one of the project officers for Days in the Diocese, a series of
programs and events for the quarter of a million young Catholics from around the
world who will stop in Melbourne on their way to Sydney.
Here in Rome last week for another round of preparatory meetings, Davis
described what is in store for Catholic youth.
"One of best aspects of Days in the Diocese will be the opportunity for people
from different cultures to get to know the day to day experience of people
here," Davis said. "We often think the mundane is boring, but for others it can
be interesting, and helps people understand the faith life of people here, how
it is developed and sustained.
"This will be an opportunity for others to see the living Church in action."
In addition to being home to the largest diocese in Australia, Davis said that
Melbourne is known for its hospitality and is accustomed to hosting large crowds
for sporting events, such as the Grand Prix and football matches.
"Victoria is an event state, and being the city that it is, Melbourne is proud
and loves providing hospitality," he said.
To cut costs for young people who cannot afford to travel, many businesses and
individuals have made generous offers of support. The state is also supporting
the World Youth Day effort by absorbing some of the cost of logistical support,
allowing the Church to concentrate on programs and people.
As much as most Australians are used to large numbers of visitors for special
events, Davis said the World Youth Day crowd promises to be different from most
groups Melbourne is accustomed to hosting.
"When the streets are filled with young people who are full of joy and excited
about their faith, others take note," Davis said.
He added, "We seem to lose that demographic of young people between the ages of
15 or 16; we are hoping that this event or gathering will be a stimulus,
especially when they see young people excited about their faith."
Davis said families in parishes and schools throughout the diocese are already
preparing to accommodate pilgrims from all over the world.
Some, he said, have decided to host groups from particular parts of the world
such as North Korea, in order to allow international communities to come to know
each other.
For example, he said, Nazareth College in Victoria will host a group of students
from the Holy Land.
The most important thing will be the sharing of the same faith among people from
different cultures: "People from different communities will come together for
prayer or Mass, and this will be a powerful way for people from different parts
of the world to know each other."
Beyond prayer, he said, there will be opportunities for different activities.
The diocese will host cultural events and musical festivals, as well as speakers
and pilgrimages.
"We don't have the same religious history that Europe holds. But we want to
share our own pioneering and missionary Christian faith, and how far we have
come in 2,000 years," Davis said.
In addition to dynamic leaders and role models such as Mary Ann Glendon,
president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and Honduran Cardinal
Oscar Rodríguez, archbishop of Tegucigalpa, the diocese will host pilgrimages in
the footsteps of Australia's first blessed, Mary Mackillop, beatified by John
Paul II in 1995, and to the Cistercian Tarrawarra Abbey in Victoria.
Davis said the momentum for the event is building gradually. "It's a slow-moving
steam roller. People who don't know what to expect will suddenly see the streets
filled with faith-filled young people."
Franciscan Friar Father Stan Fortuna, a leading musical artist, has already
toured Australia to give young people a small sample of what they can expect a
year from now.
"He worked hard when he was here. He gave concerts in every major city and, in
the two days I was with him, did about a dozen interviews," Davis said.
As a former Australian rules football star and teacher in a program for children
with behavioural and emotional difficulties, Davis said he jumped at the
opportunity to work for World Youth Day.
"I have always wanted to be involved in World Youth Day," Davis said. "For me
personally, the most interesting part of this has been the people I have met
from all corners of the earth. To see the universal Church has been very
moving."
* * *
Registrations for groups opened in
March and we are very pleased with the response from around the world. Groups
representing almost 70,000 pilgrims have already indicated that they are coming
to WYD08 from over 100 countries around the world. This is an exceptional result
as the excitement for WYD08 builds.
Youth Festival applications were
launched at the same time as the Vocations Expo and again we have been
overwhelmed by the response. The variety of proposals has ranged from large
scale theatrical performances, through to discussion groups particularly on
social justice issues and many that just wish to celebrate their faith with
other members of this universal Church.
Applications will close in October, but the WYD08 team would
encourage you to lodge your applications early.
Volunteers are an essential part of
WYD08 not just in the practical sense of helping other Pilgrims in their
accommodation or at events but as a wonderful opportunity for spiritual
formation. Registration for long term volunteers is now open for people who are
able to commit up to 12 months to the Church and WYD08. The roles and
skills that WYD08 needs are available on the website.
If you are able to assist please apply. Applications for event
volunteers are planned to commence in late July 2007.
R U 16-35yrs?
DO U WANT TO COME 2.
RING FR. GERARD 9921 3221
WYD08 Check out the website. Click on
‘Days in the Diocese” click on Geraldton and check us out. www.wyd2008.org
Greetings to you all once again, I have been asked by the
Diocesan Committee of WYD to report the latest happenings from our recent
meeting.
Pilgrims
The meeting was advised that there were about 20 people in
Geraldton who have shown interest in attending the WYD in Sydney. Karratha also
has a group however they are looking into alternatives for their pilgrims.
These numbers do not include the priests and other members
travelling with the pilgrims. We understand that Catholic Education have made
available funds to enable teachers to attend, this hopefully will add more to
the list.
Remember that Bishop Justin suggested that he would like to
see about 100 from the diocese so please keep working on the young people in
your parishes.
There is some concern about the age. We are told that the
pilgrims must be 16 or older to take part in the main activities. There have
been enquiries from young people under the age of 16 and where do they stand in
the whole thing. The WYD have laid the ground rules on this subject and
information can be obtained on their Website
www.wyd2008.org under WYD Pilgrims then clicking on age policy.
Some parishes have already started in their fundraising
activities to help bring the costs for the pilgrims to a minium. At this stage
it looks as though it will cost about $1500 for those travelling with the
Diocesan group. This does not include the travelling to Geraldton for the Days
in the Diocese events nor personal spending money.
Days in the Diocese:
As yet we have not had any enquiries from overseas pilgrims
to visit our Diocese prior to the WYD events in Sydney. Helen Long has prepared
and forwarded information on the Geraldton Diocese for the WYD08 Webpage. Check
out her good work on line through the Days in the Diocese section of the WYD
Website.
Fr Tobin has also placed information on the Geraldton
Diocese Webpage for those interested.
The committee will still go ahead and have Days in the
Diocese which will involve visiting places within the diocese and all Geraldton
Diocese Pilgrims are encouraged to attend. Bishop Justin would like all
Geraldton Pilgrims to spend this week together with the overseas pilgrims as a
way of getting to know your diocese and also becoming acquainted with your
fellow pilgrims.
This event will take place in the week July the 6th
or 7th 2008 and continue until the 11th. A program has
been planned and some of the places we will visit include Geraldton, Mullewa,
Northampton, Kalbarri, with events planned for these places. Geraldton,
Northampton and Mullewa for the John Hawes Heritage trail. Kalbarri for the
gorges plus the Kalbarri parish has Mary Help of Christians as its patron, who
also happens to be the Patroness of Australia.
At this stage we are negotiating with the Perth Archdiocese
to join with them on the Friday or Saturday at the end of the “Days in the
Diocese” to celebrate Mass as a group and a get to know each other function
before we head off to Sydney for WYD. The mass at this stage will be on the
Saturday morning and as mentioned we are still negotiating.
Recruitment
Bishop Justin and Tom Thuijs are in negotiations with a few
people who may be able to give more time in helping in the planning of this
event for our Diocese. Please remember this in your prayers as the work behind
the scenes is very important and is time consuming. It is important for the
diocese that we find the right people to help in this area. Please remember to
keep the Geraldton Committee in your prayers as well.
One Year Out
This July will mark the “One Year Out” (Pre Anniversary) of
the WYD events, it will also see the arrival of the Cross and Icon to Australian
shores, a very important part of WYD.
The Committee have asked that the parishes get behind
promoting this event through prayer and by bring it to the minds of young
people. Dates have already been sent to the parishes hosting the Cross and Icon
along with a book full of ideas; we hope your committee has been working on
this. (see below)
The WYD webpage also has ideas on prayers leading up the
July 2008. Just go to WYD Prayer Campaign, then to Prayer Focus for suggestions.
The committee thought it might be an opportune time to
bring out the WYD Candles that were used for the launching of WYD in July 2006.
Perhaps even changing the posters from one wall to another, as there were three
in the series change them about a little. We still have more in the office
should you need them!
Volunteer Helpers
Also with this communication are posters relating to Long
Term Volunteers. There may be people in your parishes that may be interested in
this so please place the posters on your notice boards. We only received a small
amount so you may need to copy them for your parish churches.
Cross and Icon
This subject was not brought at the June meeting however I received an Email
from the WYD office in Sydney yesterday asking what our plans were for hosting
the Cross and Icon. The parishes who are taking part in this are asked to plan
and do something that would suit the local conditions. We would appreciate any
plans that you have be sent to enable us to place it on the Diocesan website.
Please send the details to
northamptoncatholic@westnet.com.au as soon as possible so that our Diocese
can promote our participation.
More information
The follow are short excepts of recent press releases from
the WYD Office in Sydney
FILLIN "Agenda heading" Going strong - over 80,000
pilgrims on their way to World Youth Day
Monday 14
May 2007:
Excitement is building for
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) with groups
representing more than 80,000 pilgrims currently registered to attend the event.
An Australian milestone has
also been reached with the first 20,000 Aussie pilgrims now expected, based on
the 240 groups who have registered.
Australian registrations come
a close second to the United States, which leads the charge with nearly 27,000
pilgrims from over 400 groups.
France, Germany and Venezuela
round out the top five to date.
1 May 2007: World Youth Day Sydney 2008
(WYD08) today announced Qantas would be its official global and domestic airline
partner.
The internationally renowned carrier is the first major corporate partner to
join WYD08 - an event expected to attract the largest international visitor and
media contingent to Sydney since the 2000 Olympic Games.
13 April 2007 -
The theme song for the XXIII World Youth Day in 2008 (WYD08)
has been chosen.
Written by Guy Sebastian, “Receive the Power” will become the anthem for
Australia’s hosting of the world’s largest youth event in Sydney next year.
"You will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses."
Acts 1:8
Things are moving along smoothly yet
somewhat slowly as the local Committee work on this great project for the youth
of Australia and more particularly the youth of the Geraldton Diocese.
The committee is still working on the
fundraising and we trust that the Parishes are working on this as well.
For those who were blessed to hear
Bishop Anthony Fisher talk at our recent Clergy and Pastoral Associates gather
would have no doubt been inspired by the enthusiasm he showed towards this great
project.
“Day in the Diocese”
One of the many things that Bishop
Fisher talked on was the “Days in the Diocese” where we invite Pilgrims from
other counties to spend time in our Diocese prior to attending the Would Youth
Day Events in Sydney.
When we as a committee first started
planning our side of the WYD activities we thought that as Geraldton was a bit
out of the way and due to the extra costs that overseas pilgrims would be faced
with it may not be possible for us to host pilgrims, hence not a lot of
importance was paid to this venture.
At a recent meeting of the local
committee of World Youth Day Bishop Justin spoke on his renewed enthusiasm for
this project after having heard Bishop Fisher’s presentation. Bishop Justin has
been in talks with the WYD “Days in the Diocese” Coordinator in Sydney and
believes this Diocese could go ahead with this venture and incorporate it with
our own pilgrim’s pilgrimage.
Our Committee agreed that we no longer
go with the Pilgrimage through South Australia and that we now offer to host
overseas pilgrims. In this way we can “pilgrimage” with the visitors
right where we are.
A lot to be learnt
Bishop Justin felt that our young people
could learn a lot from meeting youth from overseas and in turn the overseas
pilgrims could learn more about us and the place we call our home, namely the
Geraldton Diocese. It was noted that there are many young people in our diocese
who are yet to see some of the many things we have.
While, given the time line, it would be
impossible to show the pilgrims all of the great sites in the diocese it was
decided that the places in and around Geraldton would sufficient. This would
naturally include in part The Monsignor Hawes Heritage Trail. An input from the
local Indigenous Communities
By doing it this was it would be easier
to find billets for the pilgrims with Geraldton having available Boarding School
facilities and the Government Camp School which could house many of the
pilgrims, we could also ask families to host the overflow.
At this stage we do not know from where
the pilgrims will arrive, however we felt that we could extend the invitation to
about 100. If that 100 is achieved, and along with the 100 Bishop Justin is
hoping for from our own Diocese it would be a fairly manageable group.
Update - 9th May, 2007
Welcome to the Geraldton
Diocese’s information page for the World Youth Day 08 “Days in the Diocese”.
The Geraldton Diocese was established in 1898. The Diocese is
situated in central Western Australia. The city of Geraldton is where the Bishop
resides and is located 420kms north of the capital city of Perth. It is the
largest diocese within Australia and is close to the biggest in the world
covering an area of 1,318.000 sq. km. It serves the areas of the Mid-West,
Gascoyne, Eastern Goldfields, Murchison and Pilbara regions of Western
Australia.
Bishop Justin Bianchini is the eighth Bishop of Geraldton. He
leads the Diocese made up of 12 Parishes and 28 other Mass Centres. The Pastoral
Care of the people is carried out by 15 Priests and a similar number of
Religious Sisters. Apart from some local Vocations, the Clergy come from various
parts of the world,
including Ireland, Poland, the Philippines, and some countries
of the African Continent. The Religious Sisters come from different
Congregations. Because of the vastness of the Diocese Bishop Justin only makes
one Pastoral Visitation to the Northern part of the Diocese every two years. He
travels by car and spends approximately two months away. We welcome groups of
pilgrims from other countries to our multicultural diocese. The Diocese has a
wide range of industries including farming, grazing, mining, fishing as well as
many Government and private industries. As you can imagine the “Days in the
Diocese” time is limited and one could not expect to see most of the things we
have to offer. We plan however to make your stay in the Diocese both a rewarding
and spiritual experience by hosting pilgrims in and around the city of
Geraldton.One of the most visited highlights of the Geraldton Diocese is the
Monsignor John Cyril Hawes Heritage Trail which includes the many Churches this
renowned Architect/Priest designed and or built in the Diocese. The most well
known of his buildings is the St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton
which had two openings, one in 1918 and the other in 1936. We have a small
Indigenous Community within the City of Geraldton who meet regularly in their
own parish centre. You can check us out a little bit more at
http://www.geraldtondiocese.org.
14th July: At a recent meeting of the
Committee, it was decided that the official launching for the Diocese of
Geraldton will be held at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral on the 30th July.
Parish launchings will be initiated by parishes at a later date. A
program, Activ8 will be available for the launch of WYDSYD (World Youth Day
Sydney). Parishes are being asked to select suitable candidates to attend
the Sydney spectacular.
3rd August
More places needed as 25,000
Americans expected for WYD08
After a visit
to the US to promote World Youth Day 2008, Bishop Anthony Fisher says Sydney
might need more places to house the expected 25,000 American participants to
the event.
"But from what they're telling me now, 25,000 may be a very conservative
number," the Bishop said after a meeting with Auxiliary Bishop Jaime Soto of
Orange, chairman of the US Bishops' Subcommittee on Youth and Young Adults,
and other US planners for World Youth Day, according to a Catholic News
Service report.
"So I'm going back looking for more" places to house World Youth Day
pilgrims from the US and other countries, Bishop Fisher said.
Catholic News Service reports that Bishop Fisher, who has already
visited the Philippines, South Korea and New Zealand to encourage
participation in World Youth Day (WYD), also has stops planned in Spain,
France and Ireland and is scheduled to meet in Fiji with the bishops of the
Pacific Islands.
The New Zealand bishops have thrown their support behind WYD following
Bishop Fisher's visit, with one Bishop in Auckland issuing a pastoral letter
urging young Catholics to "think big" in their preparations for Sydney's WYD.
The theme for the 2008 gathering is "You Will Receive Power When the Holy
Spirit Has Come Upon You; and You Will Be My Witnesses," taken from Chapter
1, Verse 8 of the Acts of the Apostles. The Pontifical Council for the
Laity, which organises the international World Youth Days, set similar
themes related to the Holy Spirit and mission for 2006 and 2007 preparatory
study sessions.
In 2008, participants in the Days in the Dioceses might stay in Australia or
New Zealand. "The 24 dioceses of Australia will be joined by the six New
Zealand dioceses in hosting" WYD visitors, Bishop Fisher said.
In late July, the WYD organisers launched a 15-minute video highlighting
Australia's charms and the spiritual and cultural benefits of participation
in World Youth Day.
"My main message [on the US stop] is that Australia might seem very far
away, but it is very closely connected personally and culturally to the
States," the Bishop said. "And this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to see Australia."
But Bishop Fisher also is excited about the effects of WYD on Australians of
all ages.
"It's a great blessing to us in Australia," he said. When Australians see
hundreds of thousands of young Catholics energised by their faith, he added,
"it will be a real evangelising moment."
SOURCE
Young people called to prepare for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney (Catholic
News Service, 1/8/06)
Bishop Fisher unveils WYD plan
Describing World
Youth Day as "an extraordinary gift to the Church in Australia, coordinator
Bishop Anthony Fisher has announced the launch of "Activ8", a two year program
of preparation for WYD 2008.
According to The Westender, Activ8 is a program of events, activities and
materials to prepare young people across Australia for the event in July 2008 in
which organisers are expecting to attract half a million participants, including
over 100,000 international visitors.
Benedict XVI will make his first visit to Australia for World Youth Day 2008 (WYD),
presiding over the Final Mass.
Organisers say Activ8 is intended to inform and engage Catholic youth around the
country, encouraging them to be a part of WYD08. The program involves an online
ePILGRIMAGE newsletter, a promotional DVD, parish support programs, school
curriculum materials, youth leadership courses and events and activities at key
milestones up to 15 July 2008 - the official start of WYD.
The name "Activ8" refers to the scriptural reference chosen by Benedict XVI for
the World Youth 2008 theme - Acts 1:8 "You will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" as well as a call to
action in the word "activate."
"We are going to fulfil the promise of this gift [the WYD] by ensuring over the
next two years our young people are given every opportunity to prepare and be
engaged with their religion through our parishes, youth groups, schools and
homes," Bishop Fisher said.
He said a priority in the planning and preparation for WYD in Sydney was the
delivery of a broad and engaging program of communication, education and
participation to ensure Catholic youth from all over Australia were invited and
able to participate.
The first Activ8 materials are being distributed around the country this week in
the form of an introductory booklet and promotional DVD titled "get with the
spirit" issued to parishes, schools and available online.
Meanwhile, Melbourne's Archbishop Denis Hart has announced the formation of the
"Melbourne Participation Committee" to begin preparation for WYD.
Kairos reports that the committee, which has very broad representation, will
oversee the arrangements for the "Days in the Diocese" in Melbourne. The other
tasks include preparation of youth in the Melbourne Archdiocese for the event
and to prepare a post-WYD pastoral program for pilgrims on their return to
Melbourne.
World Youth Day was instigated by Pope John Paul II in 1986. It has been held
annually since then in Rome and local dioceses, and every 2-3 years a major
international celebration is staged in a different host city. Sydney was named
the next international host city at the World Youth Day Closing Mass in Cologne,
Germany in 2005.
SOURCE
World Youth Day 2008 starts national youth preparation programme (WYD08 7/7/06)
"Two Years To Go" - Australia's Catholic community prepares for World Youth Day
2008 (The Westender 7/7/06)
Countdown to WYD08 (Kairos 9/7/06)
