World Youth Day

The Little Company of Mary Sisters are supporting WYD through various activities and initiatives Nationally and Internationally. Firstly through prayer and a scarf drive for the pilgrims. The Sisters will be participating in the HomeStay program and have also volunteered through WYD. They are also providing various support through their local parishes to welcome the pilgrims who will come from all over the world.

WYD Cross and Icon

In Melbourne the Cross and Icon visited St Francis, Koska Hall and St Joan of Arc school. A big Bay walk with all the youth and followers took place ending at the Jesuit College, Koska Hall. Many parishioners in various parishes have offered accommodation to visiting youth. My great niece is a pupil at Genazzano Girls College and will be going with the school by bus to Sydney for the celebrations. Many families, including mine, are also going along with their children. (Sr Josephine O’Shannassy - Melbourne)

There was much enthusiasm about World Youth Day in Hobart. On Pentecost Sunday, many parishes in the South of the state arranged buses to take parishioners to a Mass at the Silverdome in Launceston to welcome The Cross and Icon to Tasmania. The Cross and Icon also visited Risdon Prison, followed by a BBQ, Concert, Testimony and Quiet Prayer. It also visited Port Arthur and a combined schools pilgrimage through the streets of Hobart took place. There was a procession on Kingston Beach to the Church in Kingston, followed by a meal and a Prayer Vigil and after watching the sun rise at dawn, a pilgrimage down Mount Wellington, from the Pinnacle then to The Springs. This was followed by a Family Fun Day in St. David's Park to celebrate World Youth Day. (Sr Angela Dance - Hobart)

The WYD Cross and Icon came to Calvary Hospital Wagga Wagga. Organised chaos would describe the event as our car park was flooded with people of all ages. The look of sincerity and wonder on most faces was a joy to behold. I found this to be a very spiritual episode in my life and was overwhelmed by the feeling that this is probably what it would have been like for Jesus when he was preaching, swamped by inquisitive citizens, hoping for a glimpse and perhaps touch of the teacher/healer. There was a respectful silence at the reciting of the liturgy and then the enthusiastic energy of the group swept the Cross and Icon out of the car park as it had arrived – journeying to its next destination.

Little Company of Mary getting involved in World Youth Day

The LCM WYD Co-ordinator with the Youth and Vocations Ministry Team have been heading out and about spreading the news about WYD and what the Little Company of Mary has been doing to prepare.

Morning Tea at Dalton Gardens

Morning Tea Province Administration Centre

Blessing of Icon and Statue, Cessnock

Scarf Drive

One of the initiatives that the Little Company of Mary has embarked on for WYD is a scarf drive. LCM Sisters, Associates, Affiliates and friends and family in Australia and in all the International Provinces, have been busily knitting away to make scarves which will be used as part of the gift exchange at WYD. The scarf drive was well received by the Little Company of Mary and Greater Company of Mary providing over 500 scarves to WYD pilgrims.

Vocations Expo Stall

LCM has a stall at the Vocations Expo which is part of the Youth Festival. This will be held at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre Darling Harbour. The opening times are Tuesday, 10am – 3.30pm, Wednesday, 1pm – 10pm, Thursday 5.50pm – 10.00pm and Friday 6.30pm – 10.00pm. Come along and you can find out more about LCM ministries.

As part of the stand we will be selling Greeting cards with pictures of religious icons as painted by Sr Pauline Pervan LCM. These will be on sale for $1.00 each with all proceeds going towards the Little Company of Mary Zimbabwe Mission.

Tongan Pilgrims

The Little Company of Mary is sponsoring three pilgrims from Tonga where the Little Company of Mary has an established Mission. The pilgrims will be taking part in the Days in the Diocese in Maitland/Newcastle and will also be visiting LCM communities in Canberra, Ryde, Sans Souci and Caringbah. The Tongan pilgrims will be joining with the YAPS group for World Youth Day activities in Sydney.