World Youth Day

World Youth Day @ Our Lady of the Angels Parish

OLA Pilgrims

A message from our WYD Parish Coordinator

Most would agree that WYD brought much joy, enthusiasm and excitement not only to the Catholic community of the world but other religious groups, uniting pilgrims in peace and strengthening our faith in God.

8th September marked 50 days since the Closing Mass, but does that mean that WYD has come to an end? After Sydney’s last major event, the 2000 Olympics, when all the hype and excitement stopped, many felt lost or disillusioned after 2 weeks of celebration.

Pilgrims however, find direction, conviction and courage to keep the Power of the Holy Spirit alive in their families, the community and even the workplace. Our Lady of the Angels is only 1 year old, yet the enthusiasm and faith of its pilgrims and parishioners is what makes our Parish feel alive.

It is very important that we sustain our relationship with Jesus and share what we experienced at WYD with our Parish community, in particular, our first Youth Group. It may be difficult to replicate the powerful experience of WYD at a parish youth group, however, the success of this group will involve guiding the youth, teaching them the importance of embracing the sacraments, and bringing them closer to God through prayer.

One should not just look back to one’s experience of WYD with memories but rather to apply them to the present and the future. Like WYD, the Mass never ends, it must be lived. It is time to act as apostles and evangelise what we believe in and instill hope in our youth.

We have three years to prepare our youth as future pilgrims to Madrid 2011, to experience the same power we received from the Holy Spirit. Similarly, they will use this Power to keep building a strong and vibrant youth community as a solid foundation of Our Lady of the Angels.

Ian Blazey

WYD CROSS AND ICON

It was a great experience to have the WYD Cross and Icon come to our Parish site. About 150 parisioners braved the dark skies and were in attendance. A large group of youth welcomed the Icons at the gate and carried them in procession, accompanied by the WYD theme song, up to the actual site of the proposed Church building. We had a simple blessing ceremony and asked for the graces which accompany these symbols to be poured out on our new community. Though it did rain, we were not drenched and the sun then shone for our time of personal veneration of the Icons.

Our appreciation goes to the WYD team and Paul Worthington for including us in the Icons' tour schedule. It was a special historical day for our Parish and I'm sure we will feel the blessings.

CATHOLIC OUTLOOK ARTICLE
(Featured article on page 18, Catholic Outlook, May 2008)

Storm clouds did not dampen the spirits of the faithful who gathered to welcome the Cross & Icon at the site of the new parochial district of Our Lady of the Angels, Rouse Hill, on 16 April.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the vacant corner block to welcome the WYD08 symbols, carried by local children. Priest in charge, Fr Warren Edwards, blessed the site, praying with the people for God's guidance in this new venture.

"Father, through the spirit of your Son you form us into a spiritual house where you make your dwelling place. Inspire in us, from hope, that the building we will be commencing, with your blessing, will be brought to completion with your protection. Labour to shape and polish us into living stones until you make us worthy to be built into a new and holy Jerusalem."

The Catholic community has been worshipping in nearby St Gregory's Armenian School. Pending final approval by Council, work on the new site on the corner of Commercial and Withers roads will see a temporary church erected this year, with the completed church to open in 2010.

Flanked by the Cross & Icon, Fr Warren spoke of "the new evangelisation" involved in founding a new Christian community "that can be a very beacon of light to the people of Rouse Hill".

He prayed for the intercession of Mary "in the building up of this church" named in her honour.

As the surrounding housing estates show, Rouse Hill is still expanding, and transforming from a rural to a suburban community.

Parishioners such as Mary Stenning, a teacher with young children, look forward to the day when the church and parish school are completed.

"We want very much for this community to grow and develop," she said. "There are a lot of young families in the area now, and sending our children to a Catholic school is a priority. Today's visit by the Cross & Icon really affirms our hopes for the future."

Article by Dan McAloon, Catholic Outlook, May 2008

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Click on the WYD logo to go to the official site for this international event WYD CROSS & ICON ENCOUNTER Your last chance to encounter the Cross & Icon in our Diocese 08 July 2008 Cross & Icon at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta 4:30 p.m. Cross and Icon arrive Adoration and personal encounter 6:00 p.m. Multilingual rosary with procession 7:00 p.m. Mass presided by Bishop Kevin Manning 8:00 p.m. Praise and worship (until 10:00 p.m.) Reconcilliation available 09 July 2008 Cross & Icon leave Cathedral at 9:00 a.m. for St. Patrick's College, Dundas ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS (20s & 30s) "How to Get the Most out of World Youth Day" presented by Michael Foley, lecturer ACU, at DIALOGUE - Where Young Adults Meet! Sunday, the 6th of July, 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall, St. Francis Xavier, Mackenzie St., Lavander Bay (on harbour side of North Sydney Railway Station) Donation $5 All young welcome! For more information go to www.yucan.org.au WYD DISCOUNTED TRAIN TICKETS Anyone may purchase discounted WYD train tickets at any train station up to 16 July. These tickets are for use only from 17 July to 20 July. Prices are $6 per adult and $3 per child. Please bring proof of concession. To avoid the rush, please purchase your tickets as early as possible. A WYD08 YOUTH FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE Based on a true story about the life of a Sydney Catholic priest Martin Keogh (Written and directed by Genevieve Mortiss) Starring Jeremy Just, Melanie Robinson, Paul Gilbert, Anne Evers, Paul Wednesday, the 16th of July, 8:00 p.m. at NIDA Parade Theater, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington Bookings via WYD08 Youth Festival website www.wyd2008.org Entry is free but seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment For more details ring 0424510087 or email atwistoffaith@gmail.com	World Youth Day @ Our Lady of the Angels Parish A message from our WYD Parish Coordinator Most would agree that WYD brought much joy, enthusiasm and excitement not only to the Catholic community of the world but other religious groups, uniting pilgrims in peace and strengthening our faith in God. 8th September marked 50 days since the Closing Mass, but does that mean that WYD has come to an end? After Sydney’s last major event, the 2000 Olympics, when all the hype and excitement stopped, many felt lost or disillusioned after 2 weeks of celebration. Pilgrims however, find direction, conviction and courage to keep the Power of the Holy Spirit alive in their families, the community and even the workplace. Our Lady of the Angels is only 1 year old, yet the enthusiasm and faith of its pilgrims and parishioners is what makes our Parish feel alive. It is very important that we sustain our relationship with Jesus and share what we experienced at WYD with our Parish community, in particular, our first Youth Group. It may be difficult to replicate the powerful experience of WYD at a parish youth group, however, the success of this group will involve guiding the youth, teaching them the importance of embracing the sacraments, and bringing them closer to God through prayer. One should not just look back to one’s experience of WYD with memories but rather to apply them to the present and the future. Like WYD, the Mass never ends, it must be lived. It is time to act as apostles and evangelise what we believe in and instill hope in our youth. We have three years to prepare our youth as future pilgrims to Madrid 2011, to experience the same power we received from the Holy Spirit. Similarly, they will use this Power to keep building a strong and vibrant youth community as a solid foundation of Our Lady of the Angels. Ian Blazey ~ o ~ WYD CROSS AND ICON It was a great experience to have the WYD Cross and Icon come to our Parish site. About 150 parisioners braved the dark skies and were in attendance. A large group of youth welcomed the Icons at the gate and carried them in procession, accompanied by the WYD theme song, up to the actual site of the proposed Church building. We had a simple blessing ceremony and asked for the graces which accompany these symbols to be poured out on our new community. Though it did rain, we were not drenched and the sun then shone for our time of personal veneration of the Icons. Our appreciation goes to the WYD team and Paul Worthington for including us in the Icons' tour schedule. It was a special historical day for our Parish and I'm sure we will feel the blessings. CATHOLIC OUTLOOK ARTICLE (Featured article on page 18, Catholic Outlook, May 2008) Storm clouds did not dampen the spirits of the faithful who gathered to welcome the Cross & Icon at the site of the new parochial district of Our Lady of the Angels, Rouse Hill, on 16 April. A crowd of about 200 gathered on the vacant corner block to welcome the WYD08 symbols, carried by local children. Priest in charge, Fr Warren Edwards, blessed the site, praying with the people for God's guidance in this new venture. "Father, through the spirit of your Son you form us into a spiritual house where you make your dwelling place. Inspire in us, from hope, that the building we will be commencing, with your blessing, will be brought to completion with your protection. Labour to shape and polish us into living stones until you make us worthy to be built into a new and holy Jerusalem." The Catholic community has been worshipping in nearby St Gregory's Armenian School. Pending final approval by Council, work on the new site on the corner of Commercial and Withers roads will see a temporary church erected this year, with the completed church to open in 2010. Flanked by the Cross & Icon, Fr Warren spoke of "the new evangelisation" involved in founding a new Christian community "that can be a very beacon of light to the people of Rouse Hill". He prayed for the intercession of Mary "in the building up of this church" named in her honour. As the surrounding housing estates show, Rouse Hill is still expanding, and transforming from a rural to a suburban community. Parishioners such as Mary Stenning, a teacher with young children, look forward to the day when the church and parish school are completed. "We want very much for this community to grow and develop," she said. "There are a lot of young families in the area now, and sending our children to a Catholic school is a priority. Today's visit by the Cross & Icon really affirms our hopes for the future." Article by Dan McAloon, Catholic Outlook, May 2008 ~ o ~	WYD08 EVENTS TUESDAY 15th of July Opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Barangaroo Youth Festival events from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Sydney CBD locations WEDNESDAY 16th of July Catechesis (teaching) sessions 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at over 250 locations across Sydney Youth Festival events from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Sydney CBD locations THURSDAY 17th of July Catechesis (teaching) sessions 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at over 250 locations across Sydney Papal Arrival Via Boat-a-cade and welcome of the Pope on Sydney Harbour & Barangaroo Youth Festival events from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Sydney CBD locations FRIDAY 18th of July Catechesis (teaching) sessions 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at over 250 locations across Sydney Stations of the Cross A re-enactment of the last moments of Jesus' life 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Sydney Oprea House Forecourt, and the Domain. Youth Festival events from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Sydney CBD locations SATURDAY 19th of July Pilgrimage walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Randwick Race Course 5:30 p.m. starting the harbour bridge through the city to Southern Cross Precinct Evening Vigil with the Pope and sleep out under the stars 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Randwick Race Course SUNDAY 20th of July Papal motorcade commencing in Centennial Park at 9:00 a.m. Final Mass celebrated by the Pope 10:00 a.m. at Southern Cross Precinct, Randwick Race Course, and Centennial Park Announcement of next host city at 12:15 p.m. Youth Festival events from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Southern Cross Precinct, Randwick Race Course, and Centennial Park The body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is now in Sydney Come and pray in the presence of Pier Giorgio's relics and be open to the special graces through his intercession! This is an historic event event! It will probably never occur again in our lifetime, so come and receive the grace the Lord is offering us. There are 2 places to visit the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Pilgrim Prayer God Our Father, we consecrate to you the World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. Guide and protect Pope Benedict and all the leaders of the Church. Inspire and direct all those leading and planning the World Youth Day. Unite and protect them by your fatherly care. Amen Lord Jesus Christ, before you ascended to the Father, you promised to send your Holy Spirit so that we might be your witnesses to the end of the earth. Bless and multiply the efforts of all our staff and volunteers. Help us to take up our cross and follow you under the heavenly sign of the Southern Cross. Amen Holy Spirit, pour out your grace on this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit and grant to us a New Pentecost. Make of this land a true place of welcome for the young people of the world. Grant to those young people who come conversion of life, a deeper faith, and love for all. Enable them to build a new civilization of life, love and truth. Make them true witnesses to your power and grace. Amen Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians - pray for us. Blessed Mary MacKillop - pray for us.
Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.