KIRI Groeneveld is “pumped” for more reasons than one about World Youth Day in Madrid in August.
The 21-year-old member of the “Project Hatch” faith outreach is preparing for a new role in Spain.
“I received a phone call … asking if I’d like to be one of the MCs for the Australian gathering in Madrid,” she said.
“I was thrilled because I remember the Queensland gathering we had in Sydney WYD08 and that was such a huge event and it was only Queensland.
“They are expecting around 3000 Australian pilgrims to attend the Australian gathering in Madrid so it’s going to be just a bit bigger.”
Kiri’s experience on the youth scene extends to participation in Movers and Shakers, as a volunteer for Brisbane youth events and as a leader in her local Antioch group in Birkdale parish.
While being in Sydney in 2008 has been her only World Youth Day experience, Kiri said it was “a springboard”.
“It (WYD08) was just such an incredible pilgrimage … so I can’t wait for what I’ll get out of WYD in Madrid,” she said, soon talking of who will be travelling with her.
“(And) I’m super excited to be taking Charlie Chicken (the mascot for Project Hatch) along with me.
“He became a bit of a mascot in Rome for the canonisation (of St Mary MacKillop) so he’s always a fun little guy to take around.”
Kiri, who’s studying creative industries and film and television, has been one of the facilitators of the Project Hatch retreat team – with Dave Jorna and Ollie Toledo – since its inception in 2008.
She’s “the drummer in the group” and joins in “skits and dramatisations of Gospel stories”.
Fresh-faced Kiri’s involvement in Church-related activities in general has strengthened her “faith and love for living the way Jesus did”.
“I think through my faith and belief in God I’ve been able to learn the importance of positive living and living up to your full potential – reminding myself of the facts that God doesn’t make junk and Jesus believes that ordinary people can do the things that He did, of showing love and forgiveness for everyone,” she said.
“I try and not only remind myself of these things in life but show other people their own worth and how they can be the best they can be in God’s light.
“My faith has really become an incredible motivator and way of life for me and I just try and allow others to find that motivation for themselves as well.”
Motivated to soon begin packing her bags for Madrid, Kiri said she was “honoured and blessed” to be given the role at the Australian gathering.
“I can’t wait to meet the other people from around Australia who are involved in the event,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ll be nervous because I’m usually pretty good with speaking in front of crowds.
“It’ll definitely be the biggest crowd I’ve ever spoken in front of before though so there might be a bit of adrenaline.”
