Events 2008

SUCCESSFUL SPIRITUAL SUMMER CAMP 2008:  We thank God for all the blessings showered upon our children during the Spiritual Summer Camp 2008.  We sincerely thank Rev. Fr. Dinesh, the Spiritual Director, the Core Team members, Teachers, Volunteers, Benefactors and all who worked hard directly or indirectly for the great success of the Spiritual Summer Camp.  Congratulations to all the participants.  May God bless you!

WORLD YOUTH DAY SYDNEY 2008:

It was indeed a mind-blowing and heart touching experience that I had while participating the World Youth Day Sydney 2008(Australia).  I lift up my heart with full of gratitude to God for his grace which gave me a privilege to eyewitness the historic event of the Catholic Youth of the World Union. As the scattered disciples came together under the touch of Holy Sprit, I could see a congregation of five hundred thousand gathered together to participate the awe-inspiring union and fellowship in the World youth Day Sydney 2008(WYD08).  It was amazing but well planned efforts made by the WYD08 Organizing Board, to bring together all the youths of the world to create an International Community of Youth. 

Each day of the get-together bestowed us with lots of new experiences as we interacted with new faces from different nationalities. Each day and each moment spent in the Spiritual gathering and meetings was the beginning of widening the horizon of our new friendship and relationship with god and one another. Our movement was not restricted at any cost.  With full vigor and zeal we marched to discover the given privileges to make our stay better.  We could feel that the theme of WYD08 “You will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witness.”(Act1:18), was realized by each individual who participated in all the activities and events from Day One to Day Seven of the WYD08. The First Major event was the Holy Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Cardinal George Pell with hundreds of Bishops and thousands of Priests of the World on 15th July.  Then on, successively and carefully, related topics were taken up for discussion, reflection and personalization.  Different Bishops and eloquent speakers were the source of inspiration to the different trends of reality of the World while giving talks and seminars through out the week long youth festival.  With the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the youth, the whole of Sydney was being fired with praise & worship, love & fellowship and peace & joy. 

This remarkable youth festival in Sydney included different events viz., Pilgrimages to different Holy places and Cathedrals, Vocation Exposure camps, Schedule for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, personal encountering the Eucharistic Lord in Adoration, Cultural programs, Visual Arts Exhibitions, Film Screenings, Forums and Conversations, different Workshops, hunting for the centres of Spirituality and Mission etc.  All these events and activities paved the way for many youth to have introspection and go for the significant decisions of their lives.  I personally was examining the mode of the whole swing. Many a times instantly I was being touched by the spontaneous expressions of the youth towards the positive outlook of life of faith journey.  Another important moment of inner silent God-Experience was when the whole congregation raised their hearts to the Eucharistic Lord in Adoration; praying for different needs of the World, led by our Holy Father Pope the Benedict the XVI.   Each one experienced the serenity and ecstasy with the Lord while the Holy Father led Adoration of the Holy Eucharistic Lord.  Everyone was crying aloud the praises of the Lord by singing and dancing.  Marvellous! Stupendous indeed!  Congratulations to all the Youth who witnessed the awesome and amazing event in WYD08.

The excellent hospitality made each one of to feel at home in Sydney so much so that parting from WYD was a very painful experience but quite enriching.  On final day with the Holy Mass offered by Holy Father Pope the Benedict the XVI, we all departed from Sydney with the Papal Blessing and lots of enriching and ever remembering memories of the Holy World Youth Festival at Sydney, Australia.   All glory and honour is for the Mighty Lord who brought a great grand success World youth Day Sydney 2008.

By: Bro. Ani Xavier OFM. Cap.