Canadian Catholics to Participate in World Youth Day in Paris
Thursday, May 08 1997OTTAWA (CCCB) More than 2,200 young people from many dioceses and youth organizations across Canada will be attending the XII World Youth Day being held in Paris from August 18 to 24. This huge gathering is being organized by the French bishops at the request of the Holy Father. It will see young people between the ages of 18 and 35 from around the world share their experiences, their cultures, their faith and examine issues that affect them.
Among the many activities planned include two major meetings with Pope John Paul II: an evening with His Holiness on Saturday, August 23, and a Mass the following morning. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will be actively involved in this world youth event. More than 20 Canadian bishops will be attending along with General Secretary Father Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., (English language) and Assistant General Secretary Gérald Baril, (French language).
A few days earlier, the sixth International Youth Forum will also be held in Paris from August 14 to 18. This forum, held every two years, is being sponsored by the Pontifical Council of the Laity. It will see the participants from around the world reflect on the major issues challenging the modern world and inspire them to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Each episcopal conference as well as international Catholic organizations will send two delegates each to the forum. In Canada, the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly and the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops were mandated to send two delegates. They are Paula Lagacé, a 21-year-old pastoral animator from Népisiguit Secondary School in Bathurst, New Brunswick, and Daniel Moynihan, a 23-year-old pastoral youth worker from Saint Clair Beach, Ontario.
The Paris rally is the seventh one following those held in Rome, Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Buenos Aires, Czestochowa, Denver and Manila. This year’s World Youth Day Theme is: “Master, where are you staying?” Come and See.