PREPARATIONS for Brisbane archdiocese’s participation in World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) are gaining momentum with a visit by Canadian Bishop James Wingle planned next month.
A Web site on the archdiocese’s participation in the biggest youth event to hit Australia has also been launched and a Brisbane World Youth Day National Evangelisation Team (NET Ministries) has been set up.
Bishop Wingle, one of the principal organisers of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada, will visit the archdiocese on October 27-28 as part of the Activ8 national tours to expose Australian youth to the various elements of the World Youth Day program.
The key focus of Bishop Wingle’s tour will be World Youth Day catechesis.
Bishop Wingle, who was born in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada and is Bishop of St Catharine’s diocese in Ontario, has been actively involved in ministry to youth and vocations as a member of the Episcopal Committee for World Youth Day Toronto 2002 and has given catechesis sessions at other past World Youth Day gatherings.
His Brisbane visit will include a presentation to the Brisbane WYD08 Preparatory Committee on October 27 and a public lecture on World Youth Day and how it can impact the life of the Church on October 27 from 7pm-9pm at the O’Shea Centre, Wilston.
He will also present a catechetical session at Emmanuel Youth Outreach’s Vision and Youth Leadership Breakfast on October 28 from 8am-10am at Riverglenn Conference Centre, Indooroopilly.
The development of the Brisbane World Youth Day NET Ministries team has been underway for the past few months.
In recent weeks planning has focused on the development of “packages” which the team will provide to schools and parishes.
A focus group, consisting of campus ministers and assistant principals for religious education, is meeting with representatives from NET Ministries and Brisbane’s World Youth Day Secretariat to review proposed session outlines.
Information about the Brisbane World Youth Day NET Ministries team was also provided to Brisbane Catholic Education principals at a presentation on August 25.
Brisbane’s WYD08 Web site www.bne.catholic.net.au/wyd will allow young people in Australia and abroad to access information about Brisbane and the archdiocese and overseas guests can register their interest in participating in the “Days in the Diocese” program.
People also can indicate their interest in hosting overseas guests and getting involved in the other elements of WYD08 through the Web site.
Bishop Wingle’s Activ8 national tour itinerary kicks off in Sydney on October 24, followed by Brisbane on October 27, Townsville on October 28, Melbourne on October 30, Hobart on October 31, Wagga Wagga on November 1, Bathurst on November 2 and Parramatta on November 4.
