Tony LoprestiVOLUNTEER IN PROFILEVolunteers are an essential part of the DID08 Workforce. Daniel is one of the first to join Team DID08 and tells us why he wants to be a part of DID08. Why did you become a volunteer for DID08? From my experience overseas and as a past pilgrim of WYD Cologne, I have seen the important role a volunteer plays in the smooth running and success of a major event. I can also see that by becoming a volunteer it enables me to give my time for the benefit of others and actively partake in the DID08 events in the lead up to WYD08. What do you hope to achieve as a volunteer for DID08? I wanted to take the opportunity to give my time and skills for the benefit of the DID08. I want to play my part in making the experience of our overseas visitors a memorable one and showcase our beautiful country to our international visitors. What are you looking forward to most about World Youth Day 2008? Although there are many benefits a WYD can bring to a pilgrim such as personal growth, I have to say the biggest thing I look forward to is being in the presence of the huge crowd that has congregated from all over the world for the same reason as I. Uniting together for our Lord Jesus and learning more about the Catholic faith gives me great joy. It reminds me of the huge global family I belong to through the church and also gives me hope that the whole world can one day be united as one in peace and harmony. It truly is an exciting and life changing event that you will remember for the rest of your life. If you would like to join the team as a long term volunteer, please contact us via our website |
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Welcome from the CEODear Fellow WYD Pilgrims, Our Journey to Sydney to meet the Holy Father in Sydney in July 08 is fast approaching! Only 8 months to GO!! It was great to see several hundred representatives from parishes and schools of the Archdiocese of Melbourne attending our training days for WYD. We thank you for your generous commitment and all your hard work! Now the time has really come for us to organise our transport on this pilgrimage of exploration and faith. It is crucial that our young pilgrims can journey to Sydney in a safe and efficient manner. We have a great team organising this pilgrimage to ensure that all our pilgrims will arrive feeling refreshed and happy with wonderful memories of their Melbourne experience. WYD is a great adventure of faith. Please join with all of us in the Melbourne WYD office and thousands of young people from all over the world and embark on a spiritual pilgrimage you'll never forget. So please act now and BOOK online for further details on www.harvestonline.net.au Br. Mark O'Connor Parish Story
People from across the Diamond Valley Deanery gathered at St. Damian's Church in Bundoora on 10th November for an evening mass to Launch World Youth Day with Bishop Prowse. During the Mass all those planning to travel to Sydney received a special blessing from Bishop Prowse. Bishop Prowse spoke of the need to remain open to the action of God's Spirit and to not be discouraged by obstacles that can sometimes seem to get in the way of a pilgrim. Everyone must remember that the journey to Sydney is a pilgrimage of faith, and thus it is far more important, and life changing, than just an ordinary holiday. After the Mass Father Michael Kalka, Parish Priest at St. Damian's, gathered with the pilgrims to give them encouragement on their pilgrimage to Sydney. "It is wonderful for us to be able to offer hospitality to the teenagers and young adults of our Deanery", he said. Father Kalka has been impressed with the pilgrim's commitment to fundraising and WYD organisation through the many prayer and social activities that have been operating since the beginning of 2007. Visitors to St. Damian's Church are greeted with many welcoming symbols of anticipation for WYD. The official WYD banner is given 'pride of place' on the Church sanctuary with another hanging outside the Church. Locally designed WYD banners have also been placed in prominent positions around the Church property. Across the Diamond Valley Deanery the excitement continues to grow! So many parishioners and friends are offering their time to assist our young adults and teenagers with the preparations. Bishop Prowse predicts that World Youth Day excitement will continue to build and continue for many years to come. This Deanery shows all the signs that this will indeed be the case. |
International Update
After departing Europe I continued to the U.S. My first stop was Washington D.C, where Br Mark and I had meetings with US Bishops conference representatives. My journey then took me to Cuernavaca, Mexico City. It was very inspiring to meet with the youth of Mexico who will be coming to Melbourne during the Days in the Dioceses. These pilgrims will bring much colour, enthusiasm and excitement to the overall program. Almost every country I have travelled to I see young people working very hard to raise money to make the journey to Australia. Financially we know that it's difficult but the energy and dedication of the young people all over the world shows that they are committed to the pilgrimage to Sydney to join the Holy Father and gather with thousands of other pilgrims. In Cuernavaca I was taken in and cared for by a lovely family who fed me up on plenty of very tasty Mexican food... but not too much chilli! Only the father of the family spoke English so my best sign language and broken Spanish had to be utilised to communicate. It was a good introduction to what our hosting families can expect in Melbourne when we host over 25,000 international pilgrims. Some host families in Australia worry how they will be able to communicate with youth travelling from all corners of the world. It's amazing how much a big smiling face, comfortable place to sleep and a plate of food can say to a weary pilgrim! Hosts may speak different languages, come from different cultures and eat unusual food but in essence the people that I meet share a common bond of faith and passion for WYD. My last stop is Chile before navigating my way home via New Zealand. I'll give you my next update from Santiago, but until then, good luck with your preparations, whether it's saving your money to come to Melbourne, preparing your home to host a pilgrim, getting set for your pilgrimage to Sydney, we look forward to welcoming you and encouraging you to come to WYD. Regards, International Liaison |
Getting there - the great pilgrimage!Get on board for the World Youth Day Pilgrim Transport Experience and be part of the largest Pilgrim Transport operation in Australia! World Youth Day Melbourne is the only official provider of Bus Transport Services from Melbourne to Sydney (and return) for World Youth Day 2008. In partnership with the Victorian Government, World Youth Day Melbourne is coordinating a comprehensive Pilgrim Transport network that provides the following benefits:
Pilgrims travelling to Sydney, utilising the WYD Melbourne network (coordinated in conjunction with Harvest Online) are part of a nation-wide Pilgrim network travelling to Sydney, as part of a fully integrated transport movement receiving the support of the Victorian Government. Only official WYD accredited buses are permitted access to all of the above services. For further information please contact the WYD Melbourne Transport Office on +61 3 9412 8444 or email bustransport@did08.com |
Melbourne Stay NEEDS YOU!
But where are all these pilgrims going to stay? It is the tradition of WYD and Days in the Dioceses to host pilgrims in family homes for the duration of their stay in the host city of the hosting country. Pilgrims from all over the world will travel great distances to be in Australia to participate in WYD, experience DID08 but also importantly to soak up Australian culture. This is our chance to show our pilgrims how beautiful our city is, what is on offer and how hospitable and inviting our Melbournian hosts are. Melbourne offers a unique experience to pilgrims with a diverse multicultural and ethnic community network. We are hoping to attract these communities to host pilgrims from their country of origin. WYD Melbourne is developing a matching process that will occur early in 2008 to bring these groups together. Why not nominate yourself or encourage your friends to be a Melbourne Stay host? WYD Melbourne will be recruiting 10,000 families around Melbourne to open their homes to at least 2 visiting pilgrims during this period. The pilgrims will arrive prior to the start of DID08, so preparations are happening now to ensure homes are available to them as early as the 5 July 2008. The Melbourne Stay program was launched to all Melbourne parishes on the 19 November 2007. Families can apply through their parishes or apply directly to us online. We also encourage you to make contact with your parish Melbourne Stay Coordinator to see how you can get involved or jump on our website www.did08.com for more information. This is our chance to shine and make a 'Friend Forever'. We welcome you and encourage you to be an official Melbourne Stay host for DID08. |
TEAM DID08 Kicks off!
Our event volunteers will be involved in a variety of roles including welcoming international pilgrims at the airport, helping them board their transport, assisting them in finding their seats at the Commissioning Mass and providing a helping hand at the Welcome Centre. Being a volunteer is a great way to share your skills or learn new ones. The WYD Office Melbourne will provide all volunteers with induction and role specific training. Volunteers will receive an exclusive DID08 volunteer uniform, transport to and from your shift, and a meal. We invite you to join in, meet new people and share in the satisfaction of being part of a dynamic team striving for success! Apply online from 5 December 2007 www.did08.com BOOK YOUR TRANSPORT to SYDNEY - today!Time is running out for your Pilgrim group to book now and pay later! If you book before 25 November 2007, you only need to pay 25% deposit on your full booking. Domestic travel bookings have never been made so easy by booking directly with Harvest Online. You can access thousands of seats to and from Sydney at special World Youth Day prices on air, coach and rail. Flexible transport combinations are also available where you can choose to travel one-way by air, coach or rail and return on any of these options. Names of travellers and full payment are not required until March 2008. Start surfing online today www.harvestonline.net.au or call 1300 07 2008 |
Training Corner
DID08 Website Facelift
The www.did08.com site will have a new look and feel, more fresh content, a functional and user-friendly redesign to its navigation, brand new stories on the homepage and special online features. With the DID08 Melbourne program and event program expanding there is a greater need to provide our public, international visitors, Parish and School Key Contacts with more information about our key activities here in Melbourne. I would encourage all readers to log on to www.did08.com and subscribe to our monthly newsletter The Word to hear more about what is happening in Melbourne in preparation for WYD. Stay tuned for the new website, due to go live in November 2007. FAITHTRIP - get connected!
FaithTrip is a new online community that connects you with pilgrims just like yourself who are preparing for WYD08. You can start chatting with other pilgrims coming to Australia and share WYD stories, tips for going on a pilgrimage, and much more. It's a fantastic way to start getting to know people you could meet in 2008! We will also be placing helpful links for you to stay up to date on the latest DID and WYD news, plus a special Pilgrim Online Shop to purchase official DID08 merchandise, WYD products and other helpful goodies for your pilgrimage to Melbourne and Sydney. Stay tuned as we prepare to launch FaithTrip early in December. Check the website regularly and be a part of the first online community designed for pilgrims coming to WYD and DID08 Melbourne. Also don't forget to visit our DID08 MySpace and Facebook groups and make friends with your DID08 community. |
WYD Blessing & LAUNCH for Diamond Valley Deanery !
G'day from the America's, that's North, South and Central!
Days in the Dioceses Melbourne is proud to be welcoming up to 25,000 international pilgrims here in Melbourne for World Youth Day and Days in the Dioceses from 5 July - 14 July 2008. 
Volunteer recruitment for next year's Days in the Dioceses celebrations in Melbourne begins on 5 December 2007. The Volunteer Program has been officially named TEAM DID08 and we are aiming to recruit over 600 volunteers for this amazing 4 day celebration of faith from 10 - 14 July 2008. 
We would like to thank the hundreds of people that attended our Pilgrim TEAM Training Sessions over the last fortnight. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Parish, School and Community Key Contacts and Coordinators to get together, learn more about their roles and obtain resources that will help you in your planning for DID08 and the pilgrimage to WYD in Sydney! If you were unable to attend any of the training sessions then you can get a copy of the 
The DID08 Website has received a significant facelift this month with a brand new look of the site being launched in November 2007. 
WYD Melbourne is excited to launch the newest way of getting connected to other youth contacts throughout the world!