Welcome Message
So get involved, share your thoughts and ideas and keep in touch with all our plans for WYD. The richness of this experience will only be fulfilled with your participation and contribution.
World Youth Day is an opportunity for all Society members, both young and old, to come together to prepare and plan to welcome Vincentians from around the world. We would ask all Councils and Conferences in Australia to take this opportunity to discuss how they might support youth members in their area to attend WYD, which will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Society in Australia.
We hope and pray for all the blessings that this wonderful opportunity will bring the Church and Vinnies here in Australia. All the very best and we look forward to seeing you all in Sydney in 2008!
John Meahan
former Australian National President
St Vincent de Paul Society
And
Syd Tutton
Newly elected Australian National President
St Vincent de Paul Society
Welcome from the Australian National President
On behalf of the St Vincent de Paul National Council of Australia, we would like to warmly welcome you to our World Youth Day 2008 website.
As the host country of World Youth Day in 2008, Australia has been presented with a unique and very special opportunity; to share our faith and our country with visitors from across the globe and with one another. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and Vinnies is committed to making the very most of it.
Vinnies was founded by a group of young people, led by 20 year old Frederic Ozanam. The spirit, passion and energy that young people bring to Vinnies are crucial to the works that we carry out and the faith life of our community. The young people of Vinnies in Australia are a living example of Frederic’s challenge for us to put our faith into action.
As we move closer towards the celebrations of July 2008, I encourage you to understand WYD not just as an event or a one week celebration. WYD is an opportunity for reflection, renewal and exchange from this moment and for many years to come.
