Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ballarat (Agenzia Fides) - "World Youth Day is always a wonderful opportunity for young people from around the world to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures, said Bishop Peter Connors of the diocese of Ballarat, in a Pastoral Letter “You will be my witnesses”, in which he encourages young people of his diocese and all over Australia to take part with faith, joy and enthusiasm in the 23rd World Youth Day to be held in Sydney in 2008. Bishop Connors issued the Letter in view of the arrival on 20 October in Ballarat diocese of WYD Cross and Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"We are very soon to welcome the World Youth Day Cross and the Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary to our Diocese. The Cross and the Icon were handed over to a delegation of young people from Australia in Rome on Palm Sunday this year by representatives from the city of Cologne where World Youth Day was celebrated in 2005. The journey of the Cross and the Icon will provide an opportunity for our Diocese to be caught up in the spirit of World Youth Day for which the theme is “You will received power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses”. (Acts 1:8). Registration is open for Vocations Expo in Sydney 15 to 20 July 2008 during WYD. A dynamic event with debates and information on vocations, priesthood, religious life, matrimony, family. Vocations Expo is a central component of every WYD offering visitors information of vocations in the Church. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2007 righe 25 parole 257)
