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World Youth Day

In Your Parish

Oct 29, 2006

Did you know that the American bishops call us to celebrate World Youth Day each year

on the 30^th Sunday of Ordinary Time?

What is your parish doing to celebrate WYD?

Some WYD Background

At the end of the Holy Year in 1984, the Holy Father invited young people from the movements and associations throughout the world to be present in Rome for the concluding ceremony. The following year, 1985, the Holy Father again invited young people to Rome on Palm Sunday for the observance of the United Nations (U.N.) International Year of Youth. Thus, the celebrations of World Youth Day were initiated.

The Holy Father's meetings with young people and special letters to them have continued beyond the U.N. observance and have become a yearly celebration. Since 1985, the pope has issued a letter addressed to the young people of the world, and on alternating years he has invited the young people of the world to meet with him at one location for catechesis, fellowship, worship, and renewal. These meetings have now taken place in Rome (‘85), Buenos Aires (‘87), Santiago de Compostela (‘89), Czestochowa (‘91), Denver (‘93), Manila (‘95), Paris (‘97), Rome (‘00), Toronto (’02), and Cologne, Germany (’05).

World Youth Day in the US

Although the international WYD gatherings occur about every two to three years, we are invited to celebrate World Youth Day in our parishes and dioceses each year. In the United States, World Youth Day is celebrated on the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time rather than on Palm Sunday, the date on which it is celebrated in Rome. In 1988, the Administrative Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops chose a different date for the U.S. celebration, allowing more parishes and schools to participate and not conflict with Palm Sunday and preparations for the Triduum and Easter Sunday. This date, which typically falls on the last weekend of October, was chosen because of the appropriateness of the lectionary readings, and it does not conflict with other national celebrations/observances. At times, this national celebration for World Youth Day does fall on the same Sunday as Mission Sunday. When this happens, we invite parishes and schools to collaborate in the celebration of these two important events.

Readings for the 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(October 29, 2006, Lectionary #149)

• First Reading – Jer 31: 7-9
• Psalm Response-Ps 126:1-6
• Second Reading – Heb 5:1-6
• Gospel – Mk 10:46-52

Your Parish’s WYD Celebration

In preparing for World Youth Day weekend, parishes and schools should look at the many possibilities that exist to showcase the gifts, needs, and hopes of young people. This can include educating the parish about youth ministry and the many gifts of the young people in your parish. This is also an excellent opportunity to advocate for youth and integrate them into the life of the parish. Here are some ideas…

• Establish a committee to brainstorm and plan ways to celebrate World Youth Day in your parish.

• Involve youth in many of the liturgical ministries that Sunday.

• Add specific petitions for young people to the weekend Masses.

• Provide a blessing or “praying over” of the young people.

• USA Weekend sponsors “National Make A Difference” on Oct 28, 2006. Incorporate the two events into a weekend of service and celebration.    For more info, see http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday.