Come one, come all !!!!

Come one, come all !!!!World Youth Day is for everyone. The young, the young at heart and the world and people they influence and will influence... so really, this is an invitation to all!

Contribute however you can, whether it be through prayer or participation. Ask around and see if there is a troop in your local church or school that are getting involved or fundraising.It is going to be a primo year preparing together for WYD and being part of the build up towards it! OooOo the Cross and Icon will be coming soon!!!

Make sure you find out more about when it is in your local area!!

Bringing our faith into sharper focus, into priority, and immersing it in a great environment can bring great growth and nourishment. So may we all flourish over this year as we prepare for this holy experience. With God as our constant companion and guide this is going to be one amazing journey!Well best be off. It has been great hearing from different people from all over the place. The buzz and interest is certainly multiplying.

I am here to help so be in touch and I’ll do my best to help you out!Thanks to all for your support and prayers.

Jane :)

First blog: Getting serious

I really feel that the youth of New Zealand and Australia will receive a lot of Grace from God throughout the World Youth Day experience, as it will assist us all in establishing an even deeper relationship with Christ. I think that the impact of the visible Body of Christ gathering in Sydney will amaze both Christian and non-Christian Oceania. A lot of courage will be necessary from us all to make it happen, while Sydney is close, its still going to take work to get us all over there!
I am excited to be able to have the opportunity to help in the preparation of World Youth Day, because I know that Christ is calling us all to participate in one way or another; whether we travel to Sydney or not; whether we are young or old; whether we are adults or children. I look forward to the the opportunity to worship and learn with Catholic people from so many other places in the world.

Sometimes we need a chance to get serious with things, and I think World Youth Day offers us all a chance to get serious with our faith. Because of its size and the preparation that will be needed, we are all going to have to commit to the Church, to each other and to Christ. The extremity of the message of World Youth Day is also serious; encouraging us all to SERIOUSLY encounter Christ and be his witnesses.

First blog: Blown away

When I first heard about World Youth Day I was so blown away by the thought of so many Catholics being in the same place, at the same time, for the same reason, that I was determined to be a part of it. It is an incredible opportunity to be part of something this big which reaches and brings together so many different cultures from over the world. I am really looking forward to this aspect of World Youth Day because it is when we come together that we can draw encouragement off each other and be inspired in our journey with God.

I believe in this way, that World Youth Day will be an extremely encouraging experience, where we can stand with other Catholics and really be strengthened in our faith.

This will be my first WYD and I am honoured to be the ambassador from Hamilton. I’m looking forward to representing New Zealand and being part of this amazing pilgrimage in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Will keep you posted on the happenings,
Sarah.

First blog: Shock and amazement

I sat in church last night during choir practice and I couldn’t move. World Youth Day; Kiwi Ambassador for the Wellington Archdiocese…it occurred to me that I was still in a state of shock and amazement. But all the while, humbled and excited that this role was given to me. It all seemed like a dream. My mother knows me very well, as she leans forward in the pews and pinches me hard. I look behind and she smiles and simply says ‘I had to pinch you to let you know that you’re not dreaming’.

I am passionate about my faith, and have found solace in my Church, and Church community. World Youth Day is an opportunity for young people to show the world our passion in our faith, and to pave the way for the future of our Church.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge people in my life and thank them all for their support and prayers – Parish of St. Patricks in Wainuiomata, Samoan Chaplaincy of Wellington, and my Samoan Community in Wainuiomata – all of whom can be attributed to shaping who I am spiritually. My family and friends; I am truly blessed to have the immense support of such people. My friends always remind me to have fun, which I think is an important aspect of being young! My family are so special to me, and they always remind me to keep my humility and stress the importance of my Samoan culture and language, which I treasure very much.

First blog: It is gonna be big... really big!!

I am ecstatic to be chosen as Kiwi Ambassador from the Diocese of Palmerston North.

Seeing other youth so passionate and excited about this experience has fueled me to want to get involved too! It is awesome to see so many people stepping out in faith and hope. This will be my first WYD. My sister attended the WYD in Rome 2000 and I have had a yearning to go ever since. So let’s journey together in faith and pilgrimage. Get curious, find out more and get others involved too! It’s gonna be big... really big!!

Keep you posted! J