Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has urged adult Catholics who benefited from World Youth Day in Sydney, ten years ago, to step up to the proverbial plate as volunteers at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Sydney, 7-9 December.
More than 15,000 young people are expected to attend the event, which will largely be held at Sydney Olympic Park, with a final WYD anniversary Mass in the Domain on 9 December.
“I have heard from so many of you about your real ‘conversion experience’ during World Youth Day 2008,” Archbishop Fisher said.
“And (I) have been told countless stories from young people about how those few days set the course of their life: in their studies and career choices, their prayer life, their calling to a religious vocation, and their daily decisions to serve God and others.
“Given that almost ten years has passed since that time, many of you will be outside of the 16-30 age range for the upcoming Australian Catholic Youth Festival, but I would really love you to be there as volunteers.
“Come along, enjoy another great youth festival, and help our new generation of young Catholics have the same encounter with Christ that you did at WYD08.”
The ACYF will herald the beginning of the national Year of Youth: Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment (November 29, 2017 – December 31, 2018).
The year was instituted by Australia’s Catholic bishops as a preparation for the October 2018 Synod of Bishops on youth and vocations in Rome.
The theme for the Year of Youth will be ‘Open New Horizons for Spreading Joy: Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment.’
For more information on the ACYF or to volunteer, visit youthfestival.catholic.org.au