TWO young Australians travelled to Rome earlier this month for a conference to help plan for the next World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany in 2005.
Adam Morris of Canberra and Goulburn archdiocese and Selina Hasham of Sydney joined 230 youth ministry leaders from around the world at the conference.
The two were both delegates to the last World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada.
At the conference they put forward their observations and experiences of Toronto, from both the logistical and pastoral point of view and contributed ideas for Cologne.
The Pontifical Council for the Laity, which organised the conference, said delegates would also have a chance ‘to reflect on the many challenges and priorities facing youth ministry today’.
Adam and Selina joined Rome’s young people in a gathering with Pope John Paul II on April 10 and took part in the Palm Sunday Eucharist in St Peter’s Square.
Adam said he was looking forward to affirming the ‘mind blowing’ experience of World Youth Day in Toronto.
‘One of the great things about World Youth Day, and I think the young people who went from Australia will agree with this, is that it gives you this amazing sense of the global Church,’ he said.
‘I really want to affirm that and to say that even though it rained and everyone was drenched the organisation was excellent and the spirit of the gathering transcended all that stuff.
‘It’s the true meaning of Catholic and it’s really great to experience it.’
Selina, who works as a travel and pilgrimages consultant and is the national co-ordinator for Australia’s involvement in World Youth Day, said she would be contributing to organisational aspects for Cologne.
‘World Youth Day is such a great event,’ she said.
‘The faith impact of World Youth Day has been one of the most telling signs that this is a revolutionary movement the Pope has initiated.’
The Pope used his Palm Sunday message to speak of the impact on him of World Youth Day.
‘The vivid recollection of my experiences during our World Youth Day meetings is impressed on my memory,’ the Pope said.
