BRISBANE archdiocese’s World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) Secretariat has doubled its team power with the addition of two new project officers this month.
Brisbane archdiocesan WYD08 Secretariat project co-ordinator Michael Hart said with less than seven months before the journey of the WYD Cross and Icon to the archdiocese it was time to consolidate and move forward again.
“We have to finalise the itinerary and assist deaneries and schools in their preparation for the events they are going to have,” Mr Hart said.
He said the new project officers, Faye Conley and Fran Byrne, would allow the secretariat to get into the nuts and bolts of planning.
Faye will act as a resource and liaison person for the schools sector.
During the journey of the cross and icon (August 17-29) she will make contact with all Catholic schools in the archdiocese to help them develop their events and programs.
There will be 13 school events during the 13 days the WYD Cross and Icon move through the 13 deaneries of the archdiocese.
Michael said it was crucial these school events and others that will take place at a deanery and civic level made it possible for people to have access to the WYD Cross and Icon.
Since the 3.8-metre high wooden cross was entrusted to the youth of the world in Rome in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, at what would become the first World Youth Day, it has travelled the world non-stop.
Michael said it was central in preparing young people for World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008.
The replica icon of Our Lady was commissioned in 2003 by Pope John Paul II to accompany the WYD Cross.
In the position of guest management, Fran will be a contact point for overseas pilgrimage groups who will visit the archdiocese next year during Days in the Diocese from July 10-14.
In the meantime she will be looking for 5000 homestays and draw heavily on parishes and schools, and if necessary, look beyond the Catholic community for assistance.
A training day will be held at Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mt Gravatt, on March 31 for schools, parishes and deaneries and any other groups organising a WYD pilgrimage to Sydney or hosting pilgrims for Days in the Diocese.
Faye, who is on secondment from her position as principal of Carmel College, Thornlands, said she was excited so many children would have the opportunity to see, touch or carry the WYD Cross in August.
Fran, who worked as youth and school ministry co-ordinator for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Townsville before joining the WYD08 Secretariat, said she was excited by the challenges ahead.
For more information phone the Brisbane WYD08 Secretariat on (07) 3336 9341.
