| WYD08 - a fruitful event for Sacred Heart Westmead |
| Written by Fr. Michael Gimena, MI | |
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During 14th – 21st July 2008, we saw the very public and unified stance of the youth from all over the world to proclaim their faith with joy and boldness. Many of them commented that “it’s cool to be Catholic in Sydney!” Statistics showed that WYD08 had 223,000 registered pilgrims, which included 110,000 from 170 nations making it the largest event ever hosted in Australia, far larger than Sydney Olympics in 2000. Sydney was full of love, peace and happiness as we sang, cheered and clapped our way to Sydney Entertainment Centre for our catechesis, to Barangaroo for the Opening Mass, Papal Arrival and Stations of the Cross, and to Randwick Racecourse for the sleep-out and Final Mass, waving all manner of flags and speaking in many different tongues. But there was a feeling of oneness and a feeling of love for one another. Wasn’t that awesome? Love them or hate them, the pilgrims certainly bring love and excitement wherever they go and not just to Sydney but to the whole world. I also noticed that anti-social behaviour and bad media publicity almost totally disappeared during the weeklong celebration…what a coincidence or was it a miracle?! Wonderful miracle too was the glorious weather throughout the week possible for winter days. One cardinal remarked that “the young people of the world certainly brought spring to Australian winter.” Our own Sacred Heart Youth (SHY) was there to attend most of the events as pilgrims. We enjoyed the rush from venue to venue hopping in and out of buses and trains, brisk walking, breaking into a run, whatever it took to get there as fast as we could, there were just so many events happening simultaneously. It was like doing our own version of Amazing Race! We were touched by the holy and inspiring words of Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal George Pell and others who were involved in the Catechesis. It was heart-warming to see the pilgrims from all over the world as one in prayers and paying homage to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was celebrated too in a very special way in many places throughout the city. I myself was asked to hear confessions during catechesis at the Entertainment Centre. During the sleep-out leading up to the Papal Mass at Randwick, the air was filled with praying, singing and socialising. Lastly, we have never felt more in communion with the Church than when the Holy Father said in heavy German-accented English, “The Lord be with you” and hundreds of thousands including our youth answered in chorus, “and also with you!” It was truly heart-moving. Yes, World Youth Day has finished. Everything worked out well during the week. And for one week we were a little closer to one another. I can’t help but feel a bit sad that it’s all over and that the pilgrims have headed home. But I know, for sure, when they headed back home they took with them wonderful and cherished memories of their time in Sydney – something that no one can ever take away from them, beautiful memories that will last for a lifetime. The city feels empty and deserted, where there were once thousand and thousands of pilgrims – there are just the usual office workers now and I miss all the happy, cheerful and smiling faces of the pilgrims and all the noise they made in Sydney. God indeed has been so good to us and the Holy Spirit has truly anointed us. Until then… hasta la vista. Vaya con Dios; ver usted en Madrid 2011!
by Charbel Haddad, Sacred Heart Youth (SHY), Sacred Heart WestmeadFor one important week, more than 100,000 young pilgrims from some 170 countries joined a legion of Aussie pilgrims and converged on Sydney for an opportunity for the Catholic Church to celebrate its youthfulness and dynamism as part of the World Youth Day 2008. Among those that took part in this ‘New Pentecost’ were the pilgrims of Sacred Heart Parish Westmead. Sacred Heart sponsored two pilgrim groups who attended the week’s events and festivities: the Sacred Heart Youth (SHY) group who took part in the full World Youth Day program, and a second group of parishioners who participated in the all night vigil and Papal Mass at Randwick Racecourse. A number of our parishioners were also involved with World Youth Day as official event volunteer helpers. We were also fortunate enough to be represented by a small group of our Camillian priests and acolytes who assisted during masses over the week. World Youth Day also saw the parish host pilgrims from France and New Zealand in school classrooms and parish homes. The parish acted as a Catechesis site for pilgrims from the United States, New Zealand and Australia who were blessed to hear from bishops from Brunei, the United States and New Zealand – symbolising the true universality of our Church. Although a large task, an overwhelming outpouring of generosity from the Sacred Heart community ensured a friendly and generous welcome for all our brother and sister pilgrims. And even though only a week in duration, World Youth Day will resonate in the hearts of parishioners and pilgrims alike for many years to come. It was a fruitful event which has already grown youth involvement in the parish, and we pray that the Lord will continue to bless us with the fruits of this New Pentecost.
by Diane Katalinic, Principal, Sacred Heart School, WestmeadWhat a fantastic World Youth Day (15-20 July 2008) Sydney put on during the holidays! The city became alive with singing, dancing, laughing and praying. Young people from all corners of the globe formed new friendships, were united in faith and love, and openly celebrated their Catholic faith. There was so much positive energy around and to have the Pope here in Sydney, was very special. There is a renewed sense of hope for the future, as these young people carry the church forward in the coming years. The challenge for all of us is to keep that spirit alive and keep that flame burning. We saw our faith in action here in the Sacred Heart Community both before WYD and during the WYD week. People were so generous with their donations and with their time. Parents, staff and parishioners came to the working bee and prepared the church, hall and shade area for our pilgrims. A group of our school children sang at the welcoming mass and at the final catechesis mass. They were sensational and received a standing ovation. The pilgrims clapped along and some of the French even threw their hats in the air, and later asked for a copy of one of the songs. Before leaving on the Monday morning, the New Zealand pilgrims performed the Haka in the church. Some of the pilgrims allocated to our school did not end up coming here, due to a variety of reasons. Some were unable to get their visas approved in time or at all. Things were changing constantly from the WYD08 office, however, the pilgrims that we did look after were probably the best fed and cared for in all of Sydney! Our parents and parishioners were fantastic in cooking breakfasts, lunches and providing suppers. Our school staff cleared their rooms out in preparation for the pilgrims and did either all night duty or day duty, during the week. Along with the security guard, our site was manned 24/7. Fr. Dado Haber, our parish priest, and Yvette Takchi, our parish secretary coordinated the days and evenings very well and worked tirelessly. It was very sad to say farewell to our international guests, but hopefully we might see them again some time. Both the New Zealanders and the French were overwhelmed with the kindness and hospitality they received. But this is what we are all about at Sacred Heart – opening up our hearts to others, just as Jesus did for us! Indeed, WYD08 will truly be a very special and memorable event for all of us.
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