Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Through this special edition of Kairos, I welcome the many thousands of pilgrims to World Youth Day Sydney who are spending their Days in the Dioceses with us here in Melbourne.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

On behalf of the Victorian Government, I would like to welcome you to Days in the Dioceses! 

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Days in the Dioceses (DID08) is a celebration of faith hosted in the dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

The time spent in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a special time, if you really realise in whose company you are. It is not only that we are in the presence of Jesus, but we are in the presence of Him who loves us so much that He is there inviting us to share His life with Him.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

St Patrick’s Cathedral is more than just a beautiful, inspired, bluestone structure. It has become the venue of some of Melbourne’s most historic events, continually influencing generations of Catholics and leaving an indelible mark on the city in which it lives and breathes.

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Volume 19, Issue 11-12

The Carmelite Monastery
4 Stevenson Street, Kew 3101

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Our Lady of Victories Minor Basilica
548 Burke Road, Camberwell 3124

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
Corner Richardson and Wright Streets, Middle Park 3206

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St Andrew’s Church
105 Greaves Street, Werribee 3030

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St Augustine’s Church
631 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000

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St Benedict’s Church
299 Warrigal Road, Burwood 3125

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St Francis’ Church
326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000

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St Mary of the Angels Minor Basilica
150 Yarra Street, Geelong 3220

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St Mary’s Church
160 Foster Street, Dandenong 3175

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St Mary Star of the Sea
33 Howard Street, West Melbourne 3003

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Central to the Days in the Dioceses program will be the Commissioning Mass, a rich spiritual, artistic, creative and faith-filled experience for all Melbournians to share with our many visitors.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

THURSDAY 10 JULY 2008

Official Welcome Liturgy
Time: 2pm.
Days in the Dioceses Melbourne opens with a special Welcome Liturgy led by Archbishop Denis Hart to celebrate the arrival of our pilgrims.

Venue: St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne
Closest Transport Hub: Parliament Station

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Four self-guided Pilgrim Walks have been prepared for all pilgrims to take while here in Melbourne.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Australian Rules football is followed with religious enthusiasm by many people in Melbourne. It has a mass of faithful followers throughout Australia who live and breathe by the game, battling the winter cold to show their love and dedication to their favourite players and clubs.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

The City of Melbourne can justly claim to be of one of the world’s most harmonious and culturally diverse communities. The reason for its rich diversity lies, more than anywhere else, in the many religions it is home to.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

One of the Catholic Church’s most powerful communicators, Archbishop Thomas Collins, will be in Melbourne during the Days in the Dioceses to share his inspiration with young people and help young people share in the ancient form of prayer, lectio divina.

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

When young people volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul Society – known affectionately in Australia as ‘Vinnies’ – they often do so out of a desire to make a difference and assist those on the margins of our society. They might volunteer because their friends invite them to come along, or perhaps as part of their community service at school. For some, this act of volunteering is a step towards putting their faith into action.

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For months (for some, years), parishes around Melbourne have been preparing for two of the biggest events on their calendar: Days in the Dioceses Melbourne and World Youth Day 2008. No other event has offered our local parishes a better chance to meet and greet international youth, learn about the different cultures of the world and develop one’s faith all in the span of two weeks!

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Eric Francis Gerh Dreckmann Jofre , Age: 17 years
Home Country: Chile
Favorite book: The Knight of the Armor Rust by Robert Fisher

Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Catherine Espinoza Fierro, Age: 17 years
Home Country: Chile
Favorite books: The Harry Potter series of J.K. Rowling and Flying Over the Swamp by Cuathemoc Carlos Sanchez.

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Helena Parikova , Age: 27 years      
Home Country: Prague, Czech Republic

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Laura Milroy, Age: 17 years

What are you most excited about during Days in the Dioceses Melbourne?
As a Melbournian, I look forward to expressing my faith not only with young people from our own state of Victoria but also with those who will be visiting Melbourne and staying with us prior to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.

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Leah Ashman, Age: 19 years

What are you looking forward to the most during your pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney?
I went to the World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne (Germany), so I have experienced what it is like gathered with many young Catholics from all over the world.

Volume 19, Issue 10-11

As we approach this great international event, World Youth Day, there can be something in it for all of us. And, if each of us plays his or her part, the benefits will be not only with the participants, but with the rest of us, and hopefully through them any benefits will be with us all for a long time to come.