WORLD YOUTH DAY IN SALE

Frequently asked questions Who will be attending WYD08? Young adults from around the world are invited to be pilgrims to World Youth Day 08 in Sydney. In addition World Youth Day pilgrims include the Pope, Bishops and clergy, youth ministry leaders, teachers, and parents. The Diocese of Sale plans to send more than 1000 pilgrims and more than 100 group leaders from Gippsland to WYD08 in Sydney. What will it cost to attend WYD08? It is anticipated that it will cost $650 for each pilgrim from our Diocese to attend WYD08 in Sydney.   This includes the cost of registration and the cost of transport to and from Sydney. These costs will be the responsibility of each pilgrim, however many parishes and schools have already begun fundraising to help pilgrims cover these costs. Pilgrims are encouraged to get involved in fundraising efforts in their community to assist them in meeting the costs of the pilgrimage. How do I register to attend WYD08? Log on to www.wyd2008.org and click on the box that says "Register now". All pilgrims from the Diocese of Sale are asked to register as individuals under the "Sale Gippsland" group. The group number is "169" (please ensure you click "Search" after entering the group number to officially connect to our group). Follow the prompts to fill in your personal details. The online registration system will automatically notify the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore that you have registered and requested to join the "Sale Gippsland" group. Andy will, at a later date, divide all of the pilgrims from the diocese into smaller parish and school groups with individual group leaders. These groups will be allocated based on age, gender and geographic location. When should I register? Registrations opened on July 20, 2007. We encourage you to register as early as possible. What is included in the WYD08 registration? Registration as an official pilgrim through the WYD website will include: Entry to all WYD events in Sydney Basic meals during WYD week Basic accommodation in Sydney during WYD week Public transport in Sydney during WYD week An official pilgrim backpack Will I need to arrange my own transport to Sydney? No. The Diocesan coordinator will be arranging bus transport for all pilgrims from the Diocese to and from Sydney. It is anticipated that this transport will cost each pilgrim approximately $180 - $200. Will I need to organise my own accommodation in Sydney? If you are registered in the main Sale Gippsland group (Group # 169) the answer is No. Your registration as an official pilgrim through the WYD website will include basic group accommodation while in Sydney.   For pilgrims under the age of 18 group accommodation will be provided in school or parish halls.   Pilgrims over the age of 18 may be billeted in private home-stay accommodation. If you are registered with a different group you will need to check your group registration details. Can I take my family to WYD08? Children under the age of 16 cannot register to be official WYD pilgrims. However, if you have children under the age of 16 and would like to attend WYD08 as a family you are able to do so. This will require parents taking full responsibility for their children. In addition you will need to arrange your own accommodation, meals and travel in Sydney, and should be aware that official WYD pilgrims will be given priority when entering or participating in WYD events. If you are considering attending WYD08 as a family it is recommended that you register with one of the diocesan family groups and contact the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore, to discuss this further. I would like to be part of the WYD08 pilgrimage; should I register as part of a parish group, a school group, or as an individual? All pilgrims from the Diocese of Sale are asked register under the "Sale Gippsland" group which is group number "169".   The Diocesan Coordinator, Andy Moore will allocate individuals to parish or school based groups with individual leaders at a later date. I am over 35 years old; can I still take part in WYD08? Absolutely. There are many ways that those older than 35 years of age can participate in the WYD experience. To start with, while the typical age of WYD pilgrims is between 16 - 35 years of age, anyone over the age of 16 can register to be part of the Diocese of Sale pilgrim group and travel with us to Sydney to experience WYD08. If you would like to join us on this pilgrimage we'd love to have you! We are also looking for volunteers to be part of the pilgrimage as group leaders. The Diocese will require up to 100 group leaders. Group leaders will travel and stay with the young people in their group while in Sydney, and will receive all the benefits of being an official WYD pilgrim. If you would like to be a WYD group leader for the Diocese please email the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore. If you aren't up for the trip to Sydney make sure you get involved in the WYD events happening here in our diocese. Everyone, regardless of age, can participate in Journey of the Cross and Icon when it makes its pilgrimage through the Diocese in April 2007. Each region of the Diocese will host the WYD Cross and Icon and everyone is invited to attend local and diocesan events. If you would like to be part of the planning and preparation for the Journey of the Cross and Icon, please email the Diocesan WYD Events Coordinator, Jess Denehy. In addition, everyone has the opportunity to take part in Days in the Diocese in July 2008. Each parish will be hosting events for local and international pilgrims in the lead up to the pilgrimage to Sydney. Not only can everyone be involved in these events, but we will also be looking for accommodation for up to 1000 international pilgrims. If you would like to be involved in hosting parish events for Days in the Diocese, or are able to provide hospitality as a home-stay provider, please visit our Days in the Diocese page for more information. You can also get involved in youth events and fundraising that supports those that will be official pilgrims in 2008, or be part of the Pilgrim Partnerships program that supports WYD pilgrims from financially struggling communities. Finally, everyone is asked to be part of the prayer campaign for the success of WYD08.   Suggestions for prayer can be found at the WYD08 website at www.wyd2008.org I am under 16 years old; can I still take part in WYD08? If you are under the age of 16 as of December 31 2008 you will not be able to register as an official WYD08 pilgrim. However, there are other ways in which you can still be part of the WYD experience. The events surrounding the Journey of the Cross and Icon and Days in the Diocese will be happening in the Diocese of Sale and are open to everyone, regardless of age. You can also get involved in youth events and fundraising that supports those that will be official pilgrims in 2008, or be part of the Pilgrim Partnerships program that supports WYD pilgrims from financially struggling communities. If you still feel that you would like to travel to Sydney for WYD08 and have a parent or guardian who would like to attend WYD08 with you, you may be able to attend WYD08 as a family. There will be special requirements for those attending as families so if this is an option you are considering please email the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore. I attend a state or non-Catholic school; can I still register as a WYD pilgrim? Absolutely. Register as a pilgrim of the "Sale Gippsland" group, number "169" and the Diocesan coordinator will allocate you to a parish group at a later date. I've haven't been attending Mass regularly and don't belong to a parish or school; can I still register as a WYD pilgrim? Absolutely. Register as a pilgrim of the "Sale Gippsland" group, number "169" and the Diocesan coordinator will allocate you to a parish group that is nearest to where you live. I am a university student outside of the diocese; can I still register as a pilgrim with the Diocese of Sale? You can choose to register with the Diocese of Sale, or another parish or diocese that you are currently connected with. We recommend that you register with the diocese or parish that you consider 'home' or the one your family or friends attend. I am not a Catholic, can I participate in WYD08? Everyone is invited to participate in WYD08.   If you are not Catholic and wish to be a WYD pilgrim with the Diocese of Sale simply register online as part of the "Sale Gippsland" group, number "169" and the Diocesan Coordinator, Andy Moore will allocate you to a parish group that's nearest to where you live. How can I get involved in the Diocese of Sale's WYD08 preparations? If you would like to get involved in the preparations for WYD08 you can get in touch with your WYD parish contact, or email either Andy Moore, or Jess Denehy who are on the Diocesan WYD team. I am interested in volunteering as a home-stay provider for Days in the Diocese, what would be expected of me? Home-stay providers will be integral to the success of Days in the Diocese in Gippsland. Home-stay providers will open up their homes to international pilgrims who will visit the Diocese before the pilgrimage to Sydney in July 2008.   Most importantly home-stay providers will provide a warm, friendly place of welcome for international pilgrims to experience our Diocese. Home-stay providers will be asked to provide a bed (or pull-out couch, or trundle etc), bathroom facilities, breakfast, and some basic transport to international pilgrims. Laundry facilities would also be beneficial.   Home-stay providers will be asked to attend an information session in their region prior to Days in the Diocese. Additionally, all adult members of the household will be asked to complete a "Working with Children" check, and sign the Diocese of Sale's "WYD volunteer's code of conduct". If you are interested in being a home-stay provider please visit our Days in the Diocese page for more information. I am interested in volunteering as a group leader for the pilgrimage to Sydney, what will be expected of me? Group leaders will act as mentors, prayer leaders and travel buddies for the young people on pilgrimage in their group. The Diocese of Sale will require up to 100 group leaders to travel with the pilgrims to WYD08 in Sydney.   While the exact composition of groups will not be known until next year it is anticipated that each group leader will be responsible for 8 - 10 young people. Group leaders will travel, stay with and participate in WYD08 events with their group. Training and formation for group leaders will begin in autumn 2008 and continue until July 2008. Group leaders will also be expected to attend formation sessions with pilgrims prior to WYD08 to get to know the members of their group. All group leaders will need to be over the age of 23, attend the Diocesan training sessions and complete the "Working with Children" check. Group leaders will be asked to provide references, including their parish priest. Prior experience working with young people or in youth ministry would be beneficial but not essential. Group leaders will need to pay for their WYD registration and their bus travel to and from Sydney.   This is anticipated to be about $650. The Diocesan WYD team will shortly release a "WYD group leader's policy" which will be available from this website and will outline all the expectations of WYD group leaders. If you are interested in being a WYD group leader please email the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore. My child would like to be part of the pilgrimage to WYD08, what supervision will be provided for them? All pilgrims under the age of 18 will be in the care of a group leader while on pilgrimage to WYD08. It is anticipated that groups will not exceed 10 pilgrims to 1 leader. Under-age pilgrims will be provided gender-appropriate group accommodation with the other members of their group and their leader while in Sydney.   The final night of WYD08 consists of a sleep-out vigil before the final Mass.   All pilgrims will be attending this event and staying on the ground at Randwick racecourse overnight. Groups will remain with their leaders for this vigil. Group leaders and all adult volunteers and employees on the Diocesan WYD team will have completed the "Working with Children" check, committed to the diocese's "WYD volunteer's code of conduct" and group leaders will have attended a training program. While all possible means will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of under-age pilgrims it should be remembered that this is a major international event on a much larger scale than the Olympic Games. All pilgrims, regardless of age, will be expected to behave in a manner which reflects the Catholic ethos and the spirit of this event. Under-age pilgrims will be expected to behave in a mature and responsible manner, and to be aware that they may experience situations that will push them out of their comfort zone. All pilgrims will need to work with their group leaders to ensure that everyone has a safe and rewarding pilgrimage. If you have any concerns about supervision of under-age pilgrims please email the Diocesan WYD Coordinator, Andy Moore.