Offering “a true sense of welcome” is a pivotal part of the World Youth Day experience, says WYD08 Brisbane Secretariat’s Kerry Mulkerin, who is searching for hundreds of volunteers. 

Mr Mulkerin is at the helm of the local drive for 300 volunteers to greet and assist the 6000 overseas pilgrims who will be visiting Brisbane on their way to Sydney in July.

With about 100 helpers registered, he said “many people have a role to play and can be involved”.

“Volunteers don’t have to be going on to Sydney,” Mr Mulkerin said.

“They can still have a role in the Heart of the City events, in welcoming people at the airport or in taking pilgrims over to ACU (Australian Catholic University, for central registration).”

Volunteers are required to be 18 years and older, ideally in the “18 to 35 age bracket”. 

“I want to stress that even the oldies who volunteer are very welcome. They are loyal, faithful and reliable,” Mr Mulkerin said.

Heart of the City, to be held at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane on July 12, will be one of the highlight events of the Days in the Diocese celebrations leading up to World Youth Day.

Thousands are expected to take part in “a fiesta of faith” including music, entertainment, food and displays, as well as time and space for prayer and reflection.

Mr Mulkerin said the outreach opportunity was one to be taken up, with much to be gained.

“Volunteers can gain a real sense of satisfaction … of being a part of the bigger Church, not just of the parish or deanery, as a representative of the archdiocese,” he said.

The Brisbane leg of the pilgrimage, featuring a Days in the Diocese program from July 10 to 14 and other local events such as Youth Arise, will be a new experience for the archdiocese.

Mr Mulkerin said the pilgrimage experience for overseas visitors begins when they leave their home towns.

“… Then once people put their feet on the tarmac in Brisbane the pilgrimage continues and will culminate at Randwick racecourse (the venue for the WYD08 Final Mass with Pope Benedict XVI).

“What happens in Brisbane is a little microcosm of what will happen in Sydney (from July 15-20) but it’s still part of the pilgrimage.”

To assist as a volunteer and be decked out in volunteer attire, contact Mr Mulkerin on mulkerink@bne.catholic.net.au or (07) 3336 9229.

Alternatively visit www.wydbrisbane.org.au, click on “support” and then “local volunteers” to register interest and availability.

June 8, 2008

Released by the Catholic Leader