Under Construction

The Franciscan Youth Meeting now called the "YouFra International Gathering” will be held in St Francis School and Church, Paddington, Australia from 12 to 15 July, immediately before the World Youth Day celebration, from 15 to 20 July, 2008.

The program of the gathering will be conducted by members of the Secular Franciscan Order’s Presidency, based in Rome. The National Fraternity of the SFO~USA is sending the National Franciscan Youth/Young Adult Commission Chair, Kathy Taormina, SFO as the official Franciscan Youth USA delegate. She will be accompanied by 2 of the Commission members. The Franciscan Youth members will participate in all the events in Sydney, including the festival, "Come to the Water", being organized by our Province at Bondi Beach, on 16 July.

Open to all World Youth Day participants is a special Franciscan Youth Festival to be held in St Francis School on 17 July. This festival is one of 270 events approved by the WYD Administration, out of 600 entries. It is open to ALL!

"Many arrangements still have to be made and much solid work has to be done. I am asking you for fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit may descend powerfully on his Southern Land before, during, and after the YouFra International Gathering and World Youth Day," said Fr. Carl Schaefer, OFM. Fr. Carl is a member of the Provincial Committee for WYD events and a former International Spiritual Assistant to the SFO.

Themes Announced for Youth Day Catechesis
Bishops to Guide Youth in Studying Holy Spirit and Mission

SYDNEY, Australia, MARCH 16, 2008 (Zenit.org). - The Pontifical Council for the Laity determined the themes for World Youth Day's catechesis sessions, which will focus on the Holy Spirit and missions. Organizers of the July 15-20 youth event announced the Vatican's choices for the three days of catechesis, to be led by bishops from around the world in over 300 locations in Sydney.

On Wednesday, July 16, bishops will guide youth in learning about the call to live in the Holy Spirit, drawing from Galatians 5:25. The following day, youth will consider the Holy Spirit as the soul of the Church, as explained in 1 Corinthians 12:13. Friday, July 18, will be focused on the theme of World Youth Day, taken from Acts 1:8. That day's catechesis will highlight the Holy Spirit as the principal agent of mission.

"Catechesis represents the spiritual heart of World Youth Day, when young people from various backgrounds and circumstances unite to listen, reflect, discuss and pray in harmony," said Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, coordinator of World Youth Day '08.

"I encourage all pilgrims who are attending WYD08 to begin reflecting on the catechesis themes now," he said, "so that come July, they are spiritually prepared to witness the Spirit and gain as much as they can from their WYD08 experience."

Benedict XVI is scheduled to participate in World Youth Day; it will be the Pope's first trip to Oceania.