WYD 2008 and The Revival of the Australian Church

With World Youth Day just around the corner, and renewed interest in the local church, Australians are already being affected by the anticipation. Archbishop Hickey of Perth hopes pilgrims, as well as Australians, will grow from the experience. Let's pray that there is a wonderful movement among the young next month! You can read more about the revival of the Church in Australia here.

Also, Shannon Donahoo, a Catholic teacher from Melbourne writes:
In the past, World Youth Day has had a fairly low profile in Australia. However, with the announcement that the next WYD will be held in Sydney, that is set to change. It is likely, of course, that there will be some criticism: is WYD worth it or is it just a holy "bread and circuses" exercise?

To understand the importance of World Youth Day, it is important to understand what it is like being a young Catholic today.

Often young people are Catholic more because they are sacramentalised and educated in the Church's schools than because they have met Christ in their hearts. They are often unsure of the Church's teachings, the reasons for these and even how one is supposed to practise the faith.

And if a choice is made to identify oneself as a Catholic, and not as a "Catholic but ...", there is the risk of isolation. We often hear people complaining about the lack of young people in the Church - specifically at Mass - but place yourself in the shoes of those who do practise the faith. "Am I the only young Catholic?" It can feel that way for many, but thankfully such people are not alone. WYD demonstrates that. You can read the full article here.