National gathering at World Youth Day in Sydney

11 July 2008

Young Kiwi pilgrims to have largest ever
national gathering at World Youth Day in Sydney

The nine Catholic bishops of New Zealand who are attending WYD08 are inviting our 4000 Kiwi pilgrims to join them for a National Gathering on Wednesday 16 July. The National Gathering, to be held at the Hordern Pavilion in central Sydney from 3.00 – 4.30pm, will constitute the largest single event for young New Zealand Catholics ever.

The Gathering will involve a liturgical celebration based on the events of Pentecost.

“The theme of World Youth Day involves calling young people to be witnesses, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the National Gathering has been designed to embrace that theme,” says Dave Mullin, the National World Youth Day Project Manager.

The 4000 Kiwi pilgrims will be billeted at some of the 400 venues in and around Sydney – among them schools and halls which are offering hospitality to the thousands of international visitors. An Islamic school has also offered to accommodate 300 young pilgrims.

Pope Benedict XVI, who arrives in Sydney on Sunday July 13, will spend the first three days at private accommodation before beginning his official participation in World Youth Day events on Thursday July 17.

On the morning of July 17 he will meet both the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Australia. In the afternoon he will board a cruise ship to journey from Rose Bay Pier to Barangaroo, East Darling Harbour, for the official welcome. This will be followed by a drive through Sydney streets to his accommodation in the central city.

ENDS

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