Volume 19, Issue 1
On 5 December 2007 Days in the Dioceses Melbourne launched the volunteer program ‘TEAM DID08’ for 2008’s World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in Melbourne. The Days in the Dioceses Melbourne volunteer team were all revved up for the big event at Telstra Dome, and to mark the occasion our aspiring WYD pilgrim hopefuls filled the stadium to create a formation on the field of play.TEAM DID08 is being promoted to the general public and over 300 parishes and schools in the greater Melbourne area during our official recruitment drive. The Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart has been overjoyed by the wonderful support shown by people in the community.“It was my pleasure today to officially open the volunteer program for the Days in the Dioceses Melbourne event at Telstra Dome,” said Archbishop Hart at the Telstra Dome launch.“I am proud and honoured to have so many experienced, professional and willing volunteers joining our Days in the Dioceses team and I wish them every success in the experience and enjoyment they will gain out of this project.” James Merlino, State Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, also attended the launch and gave the volunteers a big boost with his words of support and excitement. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our major events, with Victoria enjoying a wonderful track record for volunteer excellence,” noted Mr Merlino. “I am confident Melbourne will continue to attract committed and skilled volunteers for our next big event.”The volunteers that were recognised on the day were also celebrating International Volunteer Day, which acknowledges the enormous contribution volunteers make to the successful operation of businesses, events, charities and industry all over the world. Chief Executive Officer of World Youth Day Melbourne, Br Mark O’Connor, said that it was fitting to launch the Days in the Dioceses volunteer program on International Volunteer Day as it represents the significance of volunteering in the community. “Melbournians are great givers of their time and willing participants in large-scale events, as demonstrated in the recent World Swimming Championships and Melbourne Commonwealth Games. I have every faith we will reach our target of over 650 volunteers and look forward to our volunteers becoming the heart and soul of the event,” said Br O’Connor.Melbourne’s event time volunteers will be involved in an exciting array of roles at WYD08, including welcoming international pilgrims at the airport, helping them board their transport, assisting them to find their seats at the Commissioning Mass and accommodating our pilgrims in over 10,000 Melbourne homes as part of the Melbourne Stay Program. Volunteers need to be available on any dates between 5 – 14 July 2008 throughout the week and on weekends.Why not join the hundreds of other volunteers that will be recruited for the DID08 event?Apply online today to see the full range of roles available at www.did08.com or call our TEAM DID08 Volunteer Hotline on 03 9412 8484. The first phase of volunteer applications close soon so don’t miss out!
WYD08 Mass Setting released
A parish version of the official Mass Setting commissioned by George Palmer, to be performed during the major WYD08 Masses, has been released for |parishes to learn and perform in the lead-up to WYD08. “There is a great sense of excitement about World Youth Day, with many people eager to find out how their local parishes can prepare for and celebrate the arrival of the Pope,” said Fr Peter Williams, Director Liturgy, WYD08.“We hope the Parish Setting will be learnt and used widely in parishes across Australia in the lead up to World Youth Day,” he said. The score and recording of the Parish Setting is available to download from the WYD08 website at www.wyd2008.org/wydmass. Parishes are able to reproduce the score for teaching purposes and performance within a parish. A separate version of each movement is also available for inclusion in parish service sheets.