ANS News
SYDNEY, JULY 17, 2008: Yesterday, July 16, the Rector Major Fr Pascual Chávez met the young people from the Salesian Youth Movement who are present for the World Youth Day, in the sports hall of the Don Bosco School at Engadine, Sydney. Among those present were groups from Salesian backg
rounds from all parts of the world especially the Pacific; something that gives this gathering something different and special about the new Catholic Church and perhaps about the future. After catechesis led by three Bishops - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin from Ireland, Bishop Daniel Flores from the United States and Bishop Patrick Dum from New Zealand mass began in the late morning. Notable was the singing and dancing at the end of the celebration: sounds and gestures offered by a group from New Zealand that communicated the emotion of the prayer. The celebration then moved out into the courtyard where around a large barbecue, the young people had lunch and also got to know each other and exchange experiences with people from different countries. There were over a thousand present, with in addition a hundred or so adults making them welcome. In the afternoon there was free time and entertainment provided by music groups. Talking to the youngsters Fr Chávez emphasized that the Church is constantly being entrusted to the new generations called to take up their own responsibilities. “No one else can take your place,” the Rector Major said, “Don’t think that the Church is the Bishops, the Priests, the Sisters. First of all the Church is Christ, and we are called to do something for Him.” “Many young people think that this world cannot get any better but with the same heartfelt attitude of Pope Benedict XVI it is necessary to launch an appeal that everyone should do something for their own people as Blessed Zephyrinus Namuncurá did” the Rector Major added.
rounds from all parts of the world especially the Pacific; something that gives this gathering something different and special about the new Catholic Church and perhaps about the future. After catechesis led by three Bishops - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin from Ireland, Bishop Daniel Flores from the United States and Bishop Patrick Dum from New Zealand mass began in the late morning. Notable was the singing and dancing at the end of the celebration: sounds and gestures offered by a group from New Zealand that communicated the emotion of the prayer. The celebration then moved out into the courtyard where around a large barbecue, the young people had lunch and also got to know each other and exchange experiences with people from different countries. There were over a thousand present, with in addition a hundred or so adults making them welcome. In the afternoon there was free time and entertainment provided by music groups. Talking to the youngsters Fr Chávez emphasized that the Church is constantly being entrusted to the new generations called to take up their own responsibilities. “No one else can take your place,” the Rector Major said, “Don’t think that the Church is the Bishops, the Priests, the Sisters. First of all the Church is Christ, and we are called to do something for Him.” “Many young people think that this world cannot get any better but with the same heartfelt attitude of Pope Benedict XVI it is necessary to launch an appeal that everyone should do something for their own people as Blessed Zephyrinus Namuncurá did” the Rector Major added.