The March Promoter

Spotlight:

World Youth Day

July 15-20, 2008

In 128 days an expected 500,000 youth will travel to Sydney Australia to meet with Pope Benedict XVI.  We see World Youth Day not simply as a gathering for young Catholics, but a time to place our trust in today’s youth. As we recognize that so many from all different countries and cultures are setting out on a pilgrimage to show the world how important Christ is to them, we are reminded of the strength and confidence young people bring to our Church.  This extraordinary event was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1986, as a day when youth from all around the world would come together to celebrate their faith.  The event has since been hosted by cities around the globe and has given hundreds of thousands young people a chance to come together as a group in response to the call of the Holy Father. The Holy Father gave this year’s gathering the theme: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” Acts 1:8.

Those attending World Youth Day will be able to see and listen to the Holy Father’s words of inspiration and encouragement.  They will be able to participate with young people from all around the world in prayer, including adoration and the sacraments, as well as in the many dynamic activities designed to educate them about the Catholic Church’s teachings on moral issues, such as life, chastity and marriage; and social issues, such as the dignity of the human person and human rights, the common good, and the stewardship of creation.

There will also be the hallmark vocation.com Coffee-House available which consists of a chapel with Perpetual Adoration, an area for Confession and spiritual direction, an area for Internet hook-up, a coffee and snack bar, and an area for live music and testimonies. It is a unique place where they can rest, reflect, socialize and receive spiritual direction.  World Youth Day is a time of abundant graces that will change the souls of these young people forever. This is the future of the Church!

What can we as promoters do?  Encourage young people to attend, support the youth groups fundraising efforts, or think of possibly sponsoring a young person from your parish or family.  Many of the parishes and dioceses are organizing groups of pilgrims, so check with your parish or diocese to see how you can help.  

Mission Youth is also offering a wonderful opportunity to travel as part of a chaperoned group to Sydney to be an active part of World Youth Day.  Once there, the groups will work in the local churches to raise awareness for the Pope’s coming and his message.  You can check out more on this opportunity at Mission Youth, or download the flyer to use for inviting young people.

Promoting Vocations 101

Prayer – constant prayer for vocations and for the grace to promote vocations according to the will of God should be the basis of all our work.

As promoters, we must begin to pray for the youth that will be traveling to attend World Youth Day to see the Holy Father.  Pray for their safe travel and protection.  Pray for their missionary work.  Youth from all around the world will be bringing the message of the Gospel to Australia.  Pray that the theme for WYD will be realized in their efforts; that the Holy Spirit will come upon them and that these young people will be witnesses for our Lord in their words and in their actions. Pray that the youth attending will themselves be open to the action of the Holy Spirit; that they will receive the truths of the Church and respond to God’s will for their own lives.

 Remember these intentions during the time you spend with our Lord in Adoration for Vocations. 

Quote Corner:

“There is a need for young people who will allow God’s love to burn within them and who will respond generously to his urgent call, just as many young blessed and saints did in the past and also in more recent times. In particular, I assure you that the Spirit of Jesus today is inviting you young people to be bearers of the good news of Jesus to your contemporaries. The difficulty that adults undoubtedly find in approaching the sphere of youth in a comprehensible and convincing way could be a sign with which the Spirit is urging you young people to take this task upon yourselves.

”Pope Benedict XVI  World Youth Day Message for 2008

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