Welcome from the CEODear Fellow Pilgrims, As we move into an exciting new year it is for many people a historic and momentous year for the Catholic Church as we move closer to Days in the Dioceses and World Youth Day. At this time we ask God to help us remember that even when we can't get involved in every cause, we can help in many ways to achieve what is being asked of us. I hope we are always there for those who may need us in some way. "Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it" (Hebrews 13:2 NLT) I was recently reminded just what this means to our community, when I came across a poster titled "101 reasons to go to World Youth Day" and I have selected a few of the most memorable ones to share with you today …… "celebrate with your universal family' …. "sing on the streets without getting laughed at' …… "experience the universality of the church' ….. "learn about new cultures by meeting people face to face'. As Br Mark O'Connor said in the December newsletter, the 'Friends Forever' theme for the Melbourne Stay program reminds us that we are given many special opportunities to make a difference in this remarkable program and make Melbourne a memorable experience for the thousands of pilgrims arriving in July this year. I approach the year ahead with a positive outlook and look forward to sharing these special opportunities as we move towards our Days in the Dioceses program. Michelle Pryde Parish Story
As we reach the final 6 months leading to DID08 and WYD08, it's exciting to see the many formation programs, fundraising and preparation initiatives being undertaken by parishes all over the Melbourne Archdiocese. A great example of this is St John the Baptist parish in Clifton Hill, who are raising funds to help send some financially disadvantaged pilgrims from South Africa to World Youth Day in Sydney. The funds raised will help assist four specially selected pilgrims to join Cardinal Wilfred Napier and the rest of the South African contingent attending WYD. These pilgrims will visit Melbourne first to attend Days in the Dioceses and experience life in our city before journeying to Sydney in July. They are eager to celebrate the arrival of Pope Benedict and gather with young people from all over the world. These pilgrims were specially selected by Cardinal Napier and the South African Youth Ministry team because of their commitment to serving their own faith communities and parishes and their desire to strengthen their faith through this once in a life time experience. They have expressed their excitement in attending WYD and their commitment to bringing all their experiences back to South Africa to encourage and support the faith of other young people in their communities. The four young people are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by St John the Baptist parish and other benefactors helping their cause, and look forward to staying with parishioners while in Melbourne. |
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International Update
I know, it's not exactly as exotic as Santiago, Paris or Seoul – but home is, well….home and it is great to be sleeping in my own bed again. One thing that I've learnt from my travels is an immense sense of compassion for all of pilgrims making the long journey to Melbourne before going to Sydney for World Youth Day. Twenty-three long hours in transit from Europe is tough and enough to turn anyone towards heaven looking for some divine consolation! But I can assure you that it is all worth the effort! Even with the struggles of long travel, raising money, juggling university exams and work, 15,000 young international pilgrims have already registered to come and stay with us here in Melbourne. And we anticipate that as the months progress, many more will register to visit this great city. Many local Melbournians have also begun signing up for the pilgrimage to Sydney and as Days in the Dioceses draws closer, we hope that many locals will participate in the events and activities happening in July. For those who haven't signed up, get onto it! Encourage your friends to come along too… tell them they'll have the time of their lives without having to fly, sail or swim too far! With World Youth Day happening right here on our door steps, it has never been cheaper or easier to participate in this worldwide event. Also, remind your family and friends who may have some extra space in their homes to sign up to the Melbourne Stay program as a host family for our international pilgrims arriving in Melbourne. To register as a Melbourne Stay host, visit our website www.did08.com or call the Melbourne Stay hotline on (03) 9412 8484 for more information. You can also ask them to visit your local parish and speak to the WYD Melbourne Stay contact person. TRAVEL HINTS and TIPS To help everyone prepare for their pilgrimage down under, I have some listed some interesting do's and don'ts that I have learnt during my travels:
Enjoy your journey here and we look forward to welcoming all visiting international pilgrims to Melbourne. God bless your preparations! Kind Regards, |
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Upcoming Events
The Festival will provide the opportunity for many thousands of people to experience the life and diversity of the Melbourne Catholic community and see local artists, performers and Melbourne youth show their talents! If you would like to be involved in presenting, exhibiting or performing at this exciting event, please contact Paige Van Every at the WYD Melbourne office on (03) 9412 8400 or email info@did08.com Love Beyond Borders Jesus Youth Melbourne will be hosting the "Love Beyond Borders" conference from 26 – 28 January 2008 at the Latrobe University, Bundoora Campus, Melbourne. The Love Beyond Borders conference occurs all over the world, preparing young pilgrims and youth for WYD Sydney. The theme of the conference is based on John 13:34 "I give you a new commandment: love one another: you must love one another just as I have loved you. The conference will also feature spiritual reflections from Archbishop Dennis J Hart, Bishop Christopher Prowse, Bishop Joe Grech, Mark Nimo and Allan Panozoa, performances from the Jesus Youth Music Band – Rex Band, theatre presentations, workshops, testimonies, and much more. Jesus Youth expect to have around 500 young people attending the conference from across Australia and New Zealand. To find out more information Emmanuel Community to hold WYD Gala Ball and Charity Auction The Emmanuel Community is organising a fundraising event to help bring 80 young people from developing Asia Pacific countries to Australia for WYD. The World Youth Day (WYD) Gala Ball and Charity Auction will be held on Saturday 23 February 2008 to raise money for these young people preparing for WYD. The Emmanuel Community has kindly offered to raise funds for these young people and help fulfill an otherwise unattainable dream of sending them to WYD in July of this year. Tickets to the black tie event cost $90.00, and include a four (4) course meal with drinks, a charity auction, live band music, dancing, and special solo performances. To book tickets or make a donation, please email gala_dinner@patash.com.au or call 0401 416 223. Don't miss the opportunity to make someone's dream a reality! |
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LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
If you are between 15 and 30 years old, visit the YCW Real Life Survey online and join young people from Palestine, Parramatta, Tasmania to Taiwan in sharing your experiences in life and faith. YCS and YCW are hoping to collect 5,000 responses by the beginning of February. The Real Life Survey will form the basis of a Youth Festival event in Sydney called Act Today, Change Tomorrow: A New Generation of Apostles Speaks Out! This forum will explore the challenges facing young people worldwide, for example finding work or dealing with conflict, in light of the Gospel and Catholic faith. It will bring together a thousand young people, as well as guest speakers like Bishop Eugene Hurley of Darwin and Geneva based child rights advocate Br César Henríquez FMS. The result of Act Today, Change Tomorrow will be a public statement about the vision of young people for the world, which will be issued to media, Church and government. The Real Live Survey is also available in French, Spanish and Italian, and can be downloaded and printed for use by pilgrims and youth groups. For more information check out www.ycw.org.au or email the YCS and YCW WYD Coordinator at chantelle.ogilvie@ycw.org.au. Young Christian Students (YCS) and Young Christian Workers (YCW) are local, national and international movements that are run by high school students and young adults respectively, who live out their faith in action to build up the reign of God in their own lives and communities. YCS and YCW are present in more than 80 countries worldwide, and in most capital cities in Australia. |
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Pilgrim Services - What's New?
But where are all these pilgrims going to stay? We are inviting all members of the community to open their homes and offer hospitality to all our international visitors. We would like to thank our wonderful Melbourne Stay Coordinators for the amazing work that they have already accomplished in preparation for the arrival of our international guests. They continue to work hard in recruiting hosts for this exciting program to ensure that we have enough beds for all pilgrims. Applications are still open so get involved and apply today to become a Melbourne Stay host and let's show the world how great Melbourne is! This is our chance to shine and make a "Friend Forever"! |
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Training Corner
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. You will receive an official invitation at the end of this month so pencil these dates in your diaries and watch this space for more information on how to reserve your seat! TRAINING DATES
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I'm
sure you all have your 101 reasons, and within the World Youth Day
Melbourne office, it is always heartening to share the myriad of emails
and calls on how our international pilgrims are preparing for their
journey to Melbourne and on to Sydney to celebrate with the Holy
Father. 
Clifton Hill parishioners lend a hand!
G'day from…..my desk in Melbourne, Australia!
Get into the Melbourne youth scene!
Melbourne will play host to thousands of international and local
pilgrims during Days in the Dioceses in July and part of the
celebrations includes the DID08 Melbourne Festival, to be held at the
Royal Exhibition Building in the beautiful World Heritage site of
Carlton Gardens, on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July 2008. 
As
part of their WYD08 preparations, Australian Young Christian Students
(YCS) and Australian Young Christian Workers (YCW) are conducting an
international survey about the life and faith of young people. 
Melbourne
is proud to welcome up to 25,000 pilgrims for the Days in the Dioceses
celebrations from 5 - 14 July 2008, prior to their journey to World
Youth Day in Sydney. 
The
first round of Pilgrim TEAM Training for 2008 is coming soon! 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.