PILGRIMS from a number of Brisbane groups who are travelling to World Youth Day this year gathered together recently for a night of formation with representatives from the Sydney Jewish museum.
The Brisbane Catholic Education Religious Education team organised for Dr Ari Lander and Yotam Weiner from the museum to travel to Brisbane to present on Holocaust education in schools across the archdiocese.
Brisbane Catholic Education, Marist Youth Ministry and the Archdiocesan Youth Evangelisation Office are all taking pilgrimage groups to Auschwitz, Poland this year as part of their pilgrimage itineraries.
They saw this as a great opportunity to prepare their pilgrims for this experience.
Dr Lander shared with the pilgrims the stories of many survivors from the Auschwitz concentration camp, which included photos and videos of their testimonies.
He also gave the pilgrims a comprehensive insight into Poland’s history.
Albany Creek All Saints youth ministry co-ordinator Matthew Ross said: “Ari shared a lot of deep experiences that made me ask some big questions about my faith. It helped me prepare for World Youth Day by opening my eyes to Poland’s rich and complicated history.”
Pilgrims from each of these groups will continue to gather from now until July to help them prepare for World Youth Day.
Formation sessions will cover topics such as how to be a pilgrim, the year of mercy and Polish language and culture.
Please pray for all pilgrims as they prepare for World Youth Day 2016.
