Frequently Asked Questions - WYD 2008

Most of your questions should be answered by looking at our WYD brochure, below you will find a few questions that are commonly asked about WYD. If you have any other questions please contact Liz Buncher at the Office of Youth Ministry

What is World Youth Day?
WYD was created by our late Holy Father Pope John Paul II when he noticed a decline in attendance of youth in the Catholic Church. WYD is a gathering of youth from all over world. They come together for pilgrimage, prayer, and to experience the love of God. While at world youth day the young people will have a true experience of the Universal Catholic Church, and grow in their own faith, becoming witnesses of Christ to the world.

Who is invited to World Youth day in Australia?
World youth day is designed for people ages 16-35. To attend the trip you must be 16 years old on or before July 6th 2008. Groups must have one Chaperone for each 8 youth that they bring, and Chaperones must be in compliance with Protecting God’s Children.

What is the Catholic culture like in Australia?
The Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney says,
“Australia represents for some “the ends of the earth,” so it’s a place that offers young people of the world an opportunity to come and be witnesses to their Faith beyond their own surroundings. They come bearing gifts to share——their enthusiasm will help evangelize our whole culture.
We in turn, will offer those young people a place of hospitality, a place of pilgrimage, a place where they will meet the Holy Father and the young people of the world to celebrate and deepen their faith so they may return to wherever they came from with renewed zeal.
They will find a place of great welcome — we’re a very multicultural society so wherever they’re from, they will find people who speak, think and act like them. But they will also find every other nation represented there, wonderfully united as one country.
Many pilgrims will be coming from countries that are hundreds or thousands of years old and Australia offers them a new land — Our European Settlers arrives just over 200 years ago – with a very ancient aboriginal culture both of which they will have a chance to encounter.
We are very determined that we are going to offer people a very genuine pilgrimage experience.
Though it’s true that we don’t have ancient cathedrals with the relics of saints, what we do have is a young culture, a young Church that wants to be a place of living saints. We believe the pilgrims will help make Australia into a true pilgrimage center where they will meet Jesus Christ and where they’ll experience the Holy Spirit.”

Why travel with the OYM?
The Office of Youth Ministry has been taking groups to World Youth Day since Rome in 2000. We are experienced in planning these international events. We are working with Youth in Europe which is a travel agency specializing in youth pilgrimages and has loads of experience with World Youth Day.

What will the “Days in the Diocese” experience be like?
The first few days of our trip will be spent with generous Australian host that will open their homes to us. They will feed us Australian food, show us Australian culture, and hopefully we will pick up their accents. In Germany our times with host families was fabulous, many of us are still in contact with our families. This is a great way to experience first hand another culture.

What will the World Youth Day activities be like?
There will be many different activities going on throughout our time in Sydney. Daily mass will be offered, welcome ceremonies, youth rallies, catechesis sessions, and many more chances to grow in your faith. The streets of Sydney will be filled with people, trading of trinkets, dancing, games, singing. There will be tons of people to meet and much fun to be had.

What paper work will I need to travel to Australia?
Everyone attending will need to have a Passport and a copy of their health insurance card. The Office of Youth Ministry will have additional forms that must be signed and turned in.

What if my youth group isn’t brining anyone, but I still want to go?
If you are an individual who still would like to participate in World Youth Day but you youth group is not going, please contact the Office of Youth Ministry and we will make arrangements within our group.

What will the weather be like in Australia?
Our summer is Australia’s winter, but their winter is like our fall. The temperature will be cool and like any travels you should be prepared for rain.