THE countdown to World Youth Day 08 shifts up a gear today (Sunday July 1) with the arrival of the WYD08 Cross and Icon in Sydney.
The symbols, being handed over from New Zealand, start their journey around Australia in the lead-up to WYD08 in Sydney in July next year.
Former Brisbane archdiocesan World Youth Day representatives Kathryn King and Eric Robinson agree that witnessing the handover of the cross and icon, as Sydneysiders and visitors will do today at Darling Harbour, is a life changing experience for anyone able to be there.
In her final year of school at St Mary’s Ipswich, Kathryn journeyed to Rome last year after her entry in the WYD logo competition was selected along with three others from thousands of entries.
Kathryn’s win secured her a free ticket to Rome and while she travelled alone, the WYD experience is one that has formed who she is today.
“It was amazing to see so many people filling St Peter’s Square … when you’re a young person it’s hard to stay steadfast in your faith and for me the experience was an affirmation that I am a part of this great Church,” Kathryn said.
Kathryn was inspired after attending WYD05 in Germany and when details of the logo competition were emailed to her, she didn’t hesitate.
Members of Brisbane’s emmanuelworship have also journeyed to Sydney to perform alongside Australian Idol’s Guy Sebastian and Paulini Curuenavuli today at Darling Harbour as the WYD08 song Receive the Power is launched.
Copies of the song will be available from today for purchase or to download from www.wyd2008.org
