Matt Restall

VOLUNTEER IN PROFILE

Why did you become a volunteer for DID08? I became a volunteer so that I could support the church, encourage other young people to learn about their faith, and to experience the joy of helping others.

What do you hope to achieve as a volunteer for DID08? I hope to do what I can to ensure that the goals of DID08 are achieved and help support young people on their journey of faith.

What are you looking forward to most about World Youth Day 2008? Just being a part of it!

Welcome from the CEO

February has been an enormous month for DID08 and the work of our team just keeps building and building as we see more and more people registering for WYD and showing their support of DID08.

We welcome Kevin Sheedy into the DID08 family this month as the first family to sign up to the Melbourne Stay program.  Kevin Sheedy had the opportunity to mingle amongst our own Australian past pilgrims down at Telstra Dome on 15 February when he announced his home would be the first to host a pilgrim.  Well done Sheed’s we welcome you and thank you and your family for the support!

With only 144 days to go we encourage you to get involved and make yourself available as a Melbourne Stay host – like the Sheedy family.  It’s very simple to become a host family and anyone inside or outside of the Catholic community is welcome to join this marvellous program.  Log on to www.did08.com and apply!

It’s incredible to see the huge increase in numbers we are seeing from local pilgrims.  We are tracking right on target at 10,984 to reach our 25,000 local pilgrim figure.  These numbers are very strong and for Melbourne we encourage people to keep recruiting your friends and family members to join you on pilgrimage to Sydney.

Br. Mark O'Connor
Chief Executive Officer

Parish Story

The Journey of the Cross and Icon (JCI)!

The World Youth Day Cross and Icon will arrive in Melbourne on 25 April 2008 accompanied by the Message Stick given to the indigenous youth by the Aboriginal community of Australia. John Rhynehart from the DID08 office has been meeting regularly with parish and school coordinators to plan for this event.

Throughout the past few months there have been some wonderful gatherings of people within our parishes and schools. They have been meeting in cluster groups, working collaboratively and generously, to ensure that when the World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Message Stick arrives at ‘their place' there will be a celebration which is youthful, joyful and prayerful. I have had the privilege of working with all of the parish and school cluster groups, listening to their plans and assisting when I can. The number one striking factor is the manner in which parish event coordinators, priests, teachers and interested people have happily come together to ensure that our young people have a positive and meaningful experience of these great symbols of WYD08.

The energy and creativity of the planning stages is exciting. The desire to marry the local environment with the universal understanding of the cross, discipleship, living witness and, importantly, how these and other themes become a meaningful part of the lives of the young people who will encounter the Cross and Icon is not only impressive but heartening – our young people are in very good hands!

The melding of scripture, song and a variety of prayer experiences along with ample opportunity for all people within our parish and school communities to be able to touch the WYD Cross, Icon, and Message Stick is inspiring. All of this is delivered in a spirit of collaboration, each school or parish happily taking responsibility for certain sections of the celebration – each happy to share their resources and ideas with the other. United in the hope that the experience will not only touch the hearts and faith of those who are present but will also provide them with the inspiration to leave the celebration and be proactive in the life of the parish, school and broader church community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have already given so much. The wonderful welcome I have received in all parts of the Archdiocese is testament to the welcome these WYD symbols will receive, and what the pilgrims will receive during Days in the Dioceses. Lastly, a word of congratulations to the Key Host Parish and School Coordinators: congratulations! These are the people who have driven the planning meetings and these are the people who willingly took on the responsibility – on behalf of all of us, thank you very much.

Please pray for the planners, thinkers and designers of the JCI school and parish celebrations. Please God, when the Cross, Icon and Message Stick enter your church or school hall, may the graces they symbolise be yours now and as you continue your pilgrimage towards DID08 and WYD08.

John Rhynehart, Program Manager – Local Events

To see the full list of Key host parishes and schools click here.

International Pilgrim Profile

With only a few months left to WYD08, we thought we'd start getting to know some of the pilgrims arriving in July to celebrate DID08 with us here in Melbourne.

The first of our profiles will be on one of our international pilgrims coming all the way from Toulouse, France – bringing with her a huge contingent of some 1,000 other French pilgrims to Melbourne for DID08.

Name: Sophie Winckel
Age: 24
Hometown: Toulouse, France
Occupation: Student
Place of Study: Ecole du Louvre, Paris (4th year)

Interests:
Art and art history (Picasso is my favourite painter!), literature, travelling, listening to indie music (Silverchair is my favourite rock band even if they are not very big here in France), Christian heritage (I study particularly the safe guarding and conservation), rugby, and of course World Youth Day (I have been to all of them since World Youth Day in Paris 1997).

What are you looking forward to doing or seeing during DID08?
I look forward to praying with local people of Melbourne (and other pilgrims), learning some good joyful, Australian Christian songs, discovering the daily life of Melbournians, catching the Melbourne spirit, and meeting other young people to share our interests.

I'm looking forward to WYD08 because…
I'm going to WYD08 because… I can't help it! I like to travel as a Christian pilgrim and not only as a tourist. I like to share and learn from other young people, building great friendships all around the world. I have been to all the World Youth Days since Paris 1997 because for me, it's a necessary time to “breathe” in my spiritual life and take some food back on the daily way of faith. Above all, I'm looking forward to WYD08 because since I was 17 I've wanted to visit Australia and while it is very far from my country and expensive to travel there, if I can realise this dream with God's help – how can I say no to that?!

If you would like your pilgrim group to be featured in the next Pilgrim Profile, please send your answers to the above questions to info@did08.com.

Upcoming Events

There are a myriad of events happening in lead up to DID08. Here are a few to mark in your diaries for the months of February and March!

Countdown to DID08 6pm Mass

Held on the last Friday of every month before DID08, St Augustine's Church (corner of Bourke and King Sts in the city) is hosting a Mass for young people to gather in prayer and worship prior to DID08 and WYD08. Whether you're a past pilgrim, student, professional, or just a passerby – everyone from around Melbourne is welcome to attend.

DID08 Breakfast Series – every last Friday of the month!

Listen to an inspiring array of DID08 and WYD08 guest speakers over a hot cup of coffee and breakfast (from 7:00am – 8:00am) at The Dallas Deli (182 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne – map ref. 2G, A1). The breakfast will be held on the last Friday of every month, and past/future pilgrims, students, and young professionals are encouraged to come along! Each breakfast will follow a particular theme which aims to prepare pilgrims for their journey to DID08 and WYD08. Or maybe you are simply considering going on pilgrimage and just want to hear more about it! Come along as it will be a great opportunity to share ideas and socialise in a relaxed setting. The first breakfast in the series will be held on 29 February 2008 with guest speaker Bishop Tim Costelloe.

Pilgrim TEAM Training sessions (March)

The second round of Pilgrim TEAM Training sessions is scheduled to begin this March at different venues throughout the Archdiocese. This is an opportune time for all parish and school key contacts, Formation coordinators, Local Events coordinators and Melbourne Stay coordinators to catch up on what's been going on in the last few months and what will happen as we approach DID08 and WYD08. Check out the Training Corner to view the training dates and venues. Make sure you send your RSVP to info@did08.com or call 9412 8400.

Sheedy family first to sign up to Melbourne Stay

Kevin Sheedy was announced as the first Melbourne Stay family as part of a recruitment drive that is seeking to attract 10,000 homes across Melbourne.

The Sheedy family will be the first host family in what will be one of the largest billeting efforts ever seen in Melbourne.  

Making this announcement at his former ‘home away from home’ the Telstra Dome, Mr Sheedy says he is excited to be involved in such an incredible program, hosting international pilgrims from all over the world. He strongly encouraged other families to get involved and sent out a plea to the community to put their hand up and host an international pilgrim.

“We have got to do all that we can to host these 25,000 international pilgrims during Days in the Dioceses”

“I am proud to be apart of Melbourne Stay and I will be looking forward to having 1 or 2 pilgrims stay in my home this July.” Mr Sheedy said.

Chief Pilgrim of the Days in the Dioceses, the Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart, welcomed the Sheedy family to the Melbourne Stay program and applauded his involvement in the program.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Mr Sheedy and his family to the Melbourne Stay program. Mr Sheedy is an outstanding public servant, contributor and ambassador to Melbourne and Victoria.” Archbishop Hart said.

Kevin Sheedy is a Catholic, who attended St Ignatius School, Richmond and is a generous community supporter of a number of Australian events and charities.

Host Melbourne Stay applications are available at www.did08.com so sign up today!  People of Catholic and all faith traditions are encouraged to offer their hospitality and get involved in this great initiative. Apply today to become a host family!

Pilgrim Services - What's New?

The year has kicked off to a terrific start, with the DID08 office busy planning for the many activities lined up for the WYD year, 2008. The second round of Pilgrim TEAM Training for all parish and school contacts begins in March, the WYD Cross and Icon arrives in Melbourne in April, and we are just 145 days to go before DID08!

The Pilgrim Services team is embarking on a new program where students will be chosen by their School Principals and endorsed by the Archbishop of Melbourne as DID08 and WYD ambassadors. These youth leaders will play a vital role as they take on the DID08 values, encouraging and inspiring fellow youth to go on pilgrimage to WYD08 and DID08. These students will also be have a special role as a Cross and Icon bearer during the Journey of the WYD Cross and Icon in April.

With O Week coming up at many universities, the Pilgrim Services team will be visiting a number of schools to spread the word and inspire youth to volunteer and join the pilgrimage to WYD08.

Two new initiatives have also been set up to further connect with local youth, including the Countdown to DID08 Mass and Breakfast Series, both scheduled for every last Friday of the month until July. Both these activities are great opportunities to meet other young people, listen to inspirational speakers, socialise, and prepare for DID08 and WYD08!

...And don't forget to visit our Facebook page! Search for Worldyouthday Melbourne and network with other DID08 pilgrims from Melbourne and around the world. Stay tuned for the soon to be released FaithTrip website, designed specifically for people going on pilgrimage to DID08 and WYD08.

Training Corner

The next round of Pilgrim TEAM Training begins in March. This is a great opportunity for all Key Contacts and Coordinators to receive all the most up to date information and resources to help parish and school communities prepare for World Youth Day 2008 and Days in the Dioceses Melbourne.

Pilgrim TEAM Training will take place on the dates indicated in the table below. Each parish or school representative will need to attend at least one (1) session. Invitations to the training were sent to all contacts earlier this month and we urge everyone to RSVP now by calling the DID08 office on 9412 8400 or emailing info@did08.com.

TRAINING DATES

Date/Times	Venue
Saturday 1 March Central Session FULLY BOOKED!!	Cardinal Knox Centre Cnr Albert and Lansdowne Sts East Melbourne
Tuesday 4 March North West Session Afternoon Session 3:00 -5:00 pm Evening Session 7:00 – 9:00 pm	Sunshine Victoria University Conference Centre Gate 1, 460 Ballarat Road Sunshine Vic 3020 (Melway map ref 26 J10)
Wednesday 5 March Schools Session 2:00 – 4:00 pm	Thomas Carr Centre 278 Victoria Pde East Melbourne
Wednesday 12 March South East Session Afternoon 3:00 – 5:00 pm Evening 7:00 – 9:00 pm	Holmesglen Conference Centre Corner Warrigal & Batesford Rd, Holmesglen

We look forward to seeing you at the training and helping you with your community's preparations for DID08 and WYD08!