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Diocesan Youth, Bishop to Travel to Sydney,
Australia for
World Youth Day 2008
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ROCKVILLE CENTRE,
NEW YORK, July 11, 2007—The Most Reverend William Murphy,
Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre, will accompany more than
200 young people from the diocese to World Youth Day 2008 in
Sydney, Australia, July 8 to July 22, 2008. This year’s theme
is “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you will be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8
The diocesan group will visit Singapore before departing for
Australia, where they will enjoy an opening Mass celebrated by
Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell, concerts, festival
events, catechesis sessions, Stations of the Cross, sleep
outs, a meal cruise out of Darling Harbour, and a vigil with
His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. This will be the first papal
visit to Australia.
“The experience of World Youth Day has been life-changing for
so many young people all around the world,” said Tom Smith,
coordinator of the diocesan Youth Ministry Apostolate. “Few
experiences have the same power to change minds and hearts and
show the reality of the universal Church in our day and age.
This experience is a sign of hope and life in the Church.”
Danielle Douglas, a youth leader at St. Boniface parish,
Elmont, N.Y. and a sophomore at Molloy College, Rockville
Centre, N.Y., will be attending World Youth Day for the first
time in 2008.
“I’m ready for it,” Douglas said. “Meeting the pope all the
way in Australia—that’s just amazing.”
St. Boniface parish has registered 17 young adults and 15
parents. They started fundraising to cushion the $3,679
diocesan package price last February, according to Amy Sierra,
youth minister at the parish.
Our Lady of Mercy parish, Hicksville, N.Y., started
fundraising in April to send 12 pilgrims to what youth
minister Nolan Reynolds called “a once-in-a-lifetime
experience.”
During the meal cruise, diocesan youth who could not make it
to Australia will congregate for a talent showcase and a
viewing of a live feed from Sydney.
Pope John Paul II started World Youth Day in 1986 in Rome.
Sydney will host the 10th international World Youth Day.
The last World Youth Day in Cologne attracted 1.2 million
people to the final Mass. Approximately 500,000 people are
expected to attend at least one event in 2008, according to
the World Youth Day Web site.
For registration information, contact your parish or school
representative; contact the Youth Ministry Apostolate at
516-678-5800 ext. 615 or
youth@drvc.org or visit
www.wyd2008.org
# # #
About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
Celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the Diocese of Rockville
Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198
square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese
serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population
in both counties is approximately 2.8 million). There are 134
parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000
confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages
took place in the diocese. There are approximately 22,000
students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary
schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69
Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college
in the diocese. There are also 120,189 total students in
religious education. Catholic Health Services of Long Island
consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a
community-based home for those with special needs and a
hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than
59,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged
on Long Island. (4/20/07)
For more information Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Director of Communications
516-678-5800, ext. 625
sdolan@drvc.org
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