AN international Marist festival will be held in Sydney in the lead up to World Youth Day (WYD) 2008.
With the appointment of Carole Wark as its World Youth Day project officer, the Sydney Province of the Marist Brothers has seized the opportunity to gather together young people aged 16-35 from its worldwide family in 77 countries.
The Marist charism of making Jesus known and loved among the young will be taken up by Carole in her new role.
For over 10 years she has been working in Marist schools, most recently at Marcellin College, Randwick, as co-ordinator of pastoral ministry.
Last month Marists from around Australia gathered at the Marist Provincial Office, Drummoyne, for a “dreaming” of the Marist International Festival to coincide with World Youth Day 2008.
The consultation process was the first step in organising the Sydney event from July 10-13, 2008.
It is hoped the festival will be a vibrant and energetic celebration of being part of the international Marist family.
Carole said the order’s founder, St Marcellin Champagnat, urged his “little brothers of Mary” to work relentlessly with and for the young.
“It’s very hard not to be people of compassion, justice and action when you discover first hand what life is like for others that you come to know as family,” she said.
Details about the Marist International Festival can be found at www.maristoz.edu.au or by phoning Carole Wark at the Marist Ministries Office on (02) 9819 6622.
