Local youth line up for World Youth Day

Registrations higher in other parts of Canada

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

As the Toronto event draws closer, registration continues to grow, which now sits at about 110,000 from 114 countries.

Overall numbers are up from previous WYD events but Canadian registrations are still low.

The archdiocesan Youth Commission met with 118 coordinators and youth representatives at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Feb. 3.

From the 72 dioceses in Canada there are 10,000 registered Canadians and about five per cent are from the Edmonton Archdiocese.

"You guys are fantastic because we certainly have good numbers in terms of registration," Andrew Papenbrock, the archdiocesan WYD coordinator, told the people.

"This is an effort of all the coordinators and different youth groups in our archdiocese," Papenbrock said.

Expecting more registrants to come, he reminded people the deadline for registration is June 15, although the commission will try to help people register even later than that.

"Spread the word that participation in the WYD is going to be a life-changing experience," he said.

It would be ideal if we can have all our numbers in before June 15 so we can focus more on the Days in the Diocese, Papenbrock said.

"This is not about numbers by the way, this is about the spirit of collaboration and the spirit of WYD in our diocese," he said.

Papenbrock also invited people to get involved in preparation for Days in the Diocese.

"We also want to attract those who will not be going to the Toronto to celebrate with us," he stressed.

WYD is not only about Toronto, it is about the spirit of the youth and their dedication in following Christ, anywhere in the world, said Papenbrock.

At the gathering, Father Stephen Hero, vocation director of the archdiocese, invited the young people to join in the World Youth Day Vocations Poster Contest.

The contest is open to all young people, aged 16-35. The poster should deal with vocation themes like, salt of the earth, light to the world, service to others, seekers and followers of Jesus, living witnesses to Christ or in particular about the priesthood, consecrated life, married life, single life and diaconate.

The best 10 posters from across Canada will be sent to the Toronto WYD to be displayed at Exhibition Place.

Edmonton organizers will choose a winner who will receive a paid WYD registration and transportation.

Deadline for submissions is April 15 and the winner and runners-up will be chosen May 5.

Official WYD theme song singers, Janelle Reinhart and Stephane Aubin, performed for the group before the meeting.

After their number, the audience asked them a few questions about their experience of being chosen to sing the theme.

CDs of Light of the World and Lumiere Du Monde official theme, will be released Feb. 14.

Papenbrock also briefed the meeting with updates from the national office of WYD.

The schedule includes events such as catechesis, a youth festival, service projects, Reconciliation and other activities. The main liturgies will include the opening Mass, welcoming ceremony of the pope, Way of the Cross, a vigil with the pope and the closing papal Mass.

At the sacrament of Reconciliation, 300 priests are expected to be available at any given time.

During the youth festivals, 8,000 participants from 30 countries will perform at 500 performances throughout WYD.

About 5,000 priests and 500 bishops are expected to participate in the liturgies and other celebrations.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter