OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - WYD is steadily approaching and 4,000 volunteers are still needed

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - The Organizing Committee of WYD in Sydney has launched a campaign in search of 4,000 more volunteers from around the world. Invoking “the spirit of service and donation towards one’s neighbor, for love of God and our brothers,” organizers insisted that in order to take care of all the logistic affairs of the event, nearly 8,000 volunteers are needed in order to distribute pilgrims' meals, provide translation services, and supervise accommodation venues. As of now, the Committee has 4,000 volunteers, the majority being Australians, however it is now asking that youth and adults from all over the globe come out to lend their volunteer services in order to help guarantee the success of the event, that for one week will captivate the mass media worldwide and will be the largest youth gathering in Oceania.
In a recent celebratory event that took place in the Cathedral of Sydney, the volunteer’s uniform was unveiled: polo shirts of red, blue and white and a lightweight weatherproof jacket in red and yellow. Bishop Anthony Fisher, the Bishop heading up the Committee, encouraged volunteers to “raise their hand to ensure that they are part of something big, something beautiful for God.” Organizers are confident that they will find the necessary volunteers during these remaining three months prior to WYD, set to take place July 14-20, 2008.
Until now, about 700 priests have already confirmed that they will be offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation over the course of the entire week of WYD in the Reconciliation Centre being prepared in Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre and at Hyde Park. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2008 righe 22, parole 266)