Daniel RaynerVOLUNTEER 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? I became a volunteer for 2 reasons... What do you hope to achieve as a volunteer for DID08? On a personal level, I'm hoping that my involvement will showcase my skills and my focus on achieving goals of a high standard, and that through this I ultimately inspire others to get on board. The greatest achievement one can ever have is seeing the benefits others gain from your hard work and dedication. What can you tell us about the types of things you did whilst you were here? I did lots of different things. I worked in the Pilgrim Services Team, helping with school visits and data entry. I also assisted with design briefs for the Marketing Department. I got to attend a lot of different types of meetings, visited enthusiastic schools and found the work really interesting. What are you looking forward to most about World Youth Day 2008? Having WYD showcased in Australia for the first time is a real blessing. This is the beginning of my spiritual journey as it will be for others. As we move on in life, we search for greater spiritual meaning in our lives. WYD gives everyone present, the time to reflect and focus on their journey and this is what I am looking forward to the most. 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 Friends, Australians are great travellers. We often leave our shores to see the wider world. But now the 'world' is coming to us! In less than a year, Melbourne will have the opportunity to welcome thousands of young pilgrims on their way to WYD Sydney.
The recent announcement of the partnership between World Youth Day Melbourne and the Victorian Government is just another reminder of the support being received in Melbourne for Days in the Dioceses. We are all raising the bar to make Melbourne an incredible and memorable experience for all. I would like to pay tribute to the Premier of Victoria John Brumby and the Minister for Youth Affairs James Merlino and his staff for their enormous support and continued commitment to the Days in the Dioceses Melbourne event. Thank you to all our parishes, schools, movements and the many individuals who are so generously planning and sharing their lives so that we can welcome our pilgrim brothers and sisters to Melbourne. Please continue to encourage your families and friends to join us as we prepare to welcome the world to Melbourne in July 2008! Br. Mark O'Connor Parish ProfileThe University Connection - with DID08! Catholics on Campus at Monash University have already commenced with enthusiasm preparations for DID08 and WYD. In conjunction with the campus chapel and nearby parish, St. Peter's Clayton, Catholics on Campus are initiating and facilitating new events and activities within the southern (diocese) region. In July, Catholics on Campus set up their WYD08 Sydney group with neighbouring parish St. Peter's of Clayton and their numbers are climbing! Monash University Catholics on Campus have also initiated meetings with deanery representatives (Oakleigh, Cabrini, and Peninsula) and parish youth groups from the southern region to facilitate various events over the next few months leading to the Days in the Dioceses (10 - 14 July 2008). The meetings help develop close working relationships between parish youth groups and deanery resource coordinators. This enthusiastic support has initiated new "rolling events and activities": Saturday 6th October 7:00pm For more information contact: Sunday 7th October 5:00pm For more information: The above planned events will develop local community support and Catholic school participation in our Melbourne events for DID08 and WYD. The group have also offered their support for ecumenical involvement in WYD activities. For more information about Catholics on Campus contact us on our blogspot: monashcatholics.blogspot.com |
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International UpdateG'day,
It's been an incredible trip so far. I have just left Rome after meeting Pope Benedict! That's right... I was at the Agora Gathering in Loreto representing Melbourne's Days in the Dioceses and World Youth Day and had the opportunity to say "G'day" to His Holiness. I was one of the few Australian's there who had a chance to make personal contact with the Holy Father and shake his hand - how lucky was I! The Pope was thrilled to see so many of us excited about his upcoming visit to Australia and the celebrations for World Youth Day 2008. The Pope arrives in Australia during the week of World Youth Day 15 - 20 July and will address over 500,000 pilgrims in Sydney at the Final Mass on 20 July 2008. Well it's hoo roo for now... I'm just about to fly out to England, USA, Mexico and Chile. Stay tuned for reports from around the globe of young people preparing for this adventure of their lives to World Youth Day. |
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Past Pilgrims WYD Social EveningTo celebrate your involvement in WYD we welcome all Past Pilgrims to the first of a series of Social Gatherings to network and reflect on the excitement of WYD. After the Six30 Holy Hour (6:30pm) at St Patrick's Cathedral, head on down to Cardinal Knox Centre for our first Date: Thursday 13 September RSVP is essential for catering purposes so please send us an email to info@did08.com We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in the fun! |
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Victorian Government goes into partnership with DID08
Minister James Merlino pledged the generous funding and said he was looking forward to supporting Victoria's role in hosting youth from around the world to what will be a magnificent event for the state of Victoria. "It will be a fantastic opportunity for young people from all over the world to experience what Victoria has to offer - and share in the hospitality of our community." Mr Merlino said. The funding will also be a major boost for the event providing assistance in managing the influx of international visitors to Victoria and staging a commissioning Mass expected to attract more than 50,000 people. The funds will also be used for tourism promotion, support for regional diocese activities, assistance with the coordination of the volunteer TEAMDID08 and Melbourne Stay programs, and provide signage and event information. "Days in the Dioceses will see the largest contingent of visitors arrive in Melbourne since the Commonwealth Games - bringing together young people from across the world, who will celebrate their faith, explore and experience different cultures - and share their culture" Mr Merlino said. The Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart paid tribute to the enormous level of support received from the Victorian Government. "It is our pleasure to welcome the State Government into a partnership with World Youth Day Melbourne. We are overjoyed by the outstanding commitment the Victorian Government has made to this event," "World Youth Day marks a momentous occasion for the youth of Victoria and Melbourne and will provide significant benefits for both our parish and school communities" said Archbishop Hart. The excitement of Days in the Dioceses for Melbourne and Victoria is building to what will be a week of celebrations featuring youth culture, festivals, concerts, cultural events and public lectures. To culminate the events of Days in the Dioceses Melbourne, pilgrims will travel to Sydney for World Youth Day to be amongst 500,000 pilgrims who will gather on 20 July 2008 for the Final Mass with his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. |
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Pilgrim Services - What's New?
The Pilgrim TEAM is the name given to all contacts and coordinators nominated by the parish, school or community who have been recruited to promote support for hosting, providing hospitality and creating enthusiasm in the parish for the Days in the Dioceses (DID08) event and pilgrimage to Sydney. Thank you to everyone who has started planning and informing their local communities about these great events. Young people (pilgrims) attending WYD will travel in groups that are led by a parish, school or community leader (guide) to assist them on the pilgrimage both practically and spiritually. Pilgrim TEAM contacts have begun the search for possible pilgrimage guides. The Formation Program for Guides developed by the Archdiocese of Melbourne will be launched in October. Training will be offered on how to use the Formation Manual as a resource to prepare guides, assisting them to make this pilgrimage a faith-filled and positive experience for all young people. Check out the Training Corner of the E-Newsletter for more information! |
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Training CornerWelcome again to our Training Corner and we are proud to announce a new series of Pilgrim TEAM Training occurring in October that we encourage you to put in your diaries now! Come along to receive all of the latest information and resources in preparation for World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) and Days in the Dioceses (DID08) Melbourne. We invite all WYD Key Contacts, Formation Coordinators, Melbourne Stay (Billeting) Coordinators and Events Coordinators to attend the upcoming training.
The training will begin with a combined session for everyone and then the group will break into four specialised sessions. Each of the specialised sessions will run simultaneously so it is necessary that all four people in the WYD nominated roles from parishes and the two people in the WYD nominated roles from schools. Please see the Pilgrim TEAM Training brochure on our website for the full details of the training and RSVP by Wednessday 17 October. |
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Already nearly 10,000 young people of 131 different nationalities have expressed interest in coming to the Melbourne to celebrate Days in the Dioceses, Melbourne. We look forward to welcoming communities from our global Catholic 'village' to join us on pilgrimage to the arrival of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Tim Davis here, from the virtual office of World Youth Day Melbourne! Well I've been on the road for 3 weeks now and I am sending you my report from the Czech Republic where I am visiting the Diocese of Prague.
World Youth Day Melbourne was excited to announce a $4 million dollar funding partnership with the Victorian Government in support of the Days in the Dioceses 2008 project last month.
Wow it's an exciting time lately for Pilgrim Services - we are continuing to grow our team and the enthusiasm out in the parishes and schools is really building! In order for any program to be a success, we are reliant on the hard work of Pilgrim TEAM members.