Holy Spirit at centre of WYD Catechesis

18 Mar 2008

By The Record

World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) organisers have released the themes and accompanying scripture verse selected for each day of Catechesis – the daily teaching sessions during the week.

 

Young people celebrate the 500-day countdown to World Youth Day 2008 outside St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia, March 2. Mark Vaile, deputy prime minister of Australia, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, all at centre, participated in the celebration. Photo: CNS

 

Bishops from around the world will lead Catechesis on Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Friday 18 July in over 300 Sydney Churches and venues. 
The central theme for the three days of Catechesis is Holy Spirit and Mission and will be developed in the following stages:

•    Wednesday 16 July – Called to live in the Holy Spirit
    Scripture verse: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” (Gal 5:25)
    Scripture texts for the Mass: Acts 1: 6-14 and Luke 24: 44-49

•    Thursday 17 July – The Holy Spirit, soul of the Church
    Scripture verse: “For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body; and we were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13)
    Scripture texts for the Mass: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13 and Matthew 16: 13-19

•    Friday 18 July – Sent out into the world: the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mission
    Scripture verse: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)
    Scripture texts for the Mass: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-18 and Matthew 28: 16-20
The Scripture verse for Friday 18 July is also the theme for WYD08.
“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 WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.
“I encourage all pilgrims who are attending WYD08 to begin reflecting on the Catechesis themes now, so that come July, they are spiritually prepared to witness the Spirit and gain as much as they can from their WYD08 experience,” he said.
The WYD08 Catechesis themes and Scripture texts for each of the Masses were selected by the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL), the Vatican body that oversees World Youth Day preparations.
Hosted by the Catholic Church but open to all, WYD08 is a week of event activities which will be held 15 – 20 July in Sydney.