Late last year, as Pope Francis concluded Mass for the handing over of the World Youth Day (WYD) cross between Panama and Portugal, he paused and made an unexpected announcement.
“I have decided, beginning next year to transfer the Diocesan celebration of WYD from Palm Sunday to Christ the King Sunday”.
A move away from Palm Sunday for the local celebration of WYD finally gives youth ministers across the country a chance to celebrate and highlight young people’s contribution to the life of the Church without needing to balance it precariously alongside our spiritual preparation for Holy Week.
You’re invited to “Stand Up” World Youth Day – Parramatta, on Sunday 21 November in St Mark’s Square on the grounds of St Mark’s Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens for a spectacular outdoor mass with Bishop Vincent. The mass will include a commissioning of young people for leadership in the Church during 2022.
Gates open at 5pm, allowing plenty of time to COVID check in, before Adoration and Reconciliation is available from 5.15pm. Mass with Bishop Vincent begins at 6pm.
Registration and COVID check-in will be required at the gate. Catholic Youth Parramatta will ensure strict hygiene measures. We ask you to bring your own outdoor chair and keep 1.5m physical distance from others in the Square. If you are feeling unwell/and or have mild flu symptoms we ask that you do not attend.
We look forward to celebrating this wonderful occasion with you and hundreds of others on Sunday!
Register for the Mass and WYD celebration via the Catholic Youth Parramatta Facebook event page here.
Read more about the importance of the change of date here.
