Sponsoring East Timorese to attend WYD

Sponsoring East Timorese to attend WYD

 

WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS AND ICON.

In the lead up to WYD in 2008, a catholic magazine asked its readers on behalf of the Provincial of the Salesian Missions to hep young people from East Timor to attend WYD. East Timor of course is not a well-off country, so support from other people made it possible for young pilgrims to attend WYD in 2008.

As a result of this initiative, some parishes sponsored young East Timorese pilgrims themselves, and as a result they had the opportunity to experience Australian life as part of their WYD pilgrimage. 

The parish in which I was working at during the lead up to WYD in 2008 also sponsored 6 East Timorese pilgrims with their young priest who accompanied them. They came about a fortnight before WYD to experience life in Australia, with some activities provided by the parish and other activities provided by those who billeted them such as sightseeing and attending Days in the Diocese functions. 

I will never forget receiving the hand embroider stole which they gave in gratitude to the organising committee members before they returned to East Timor.

The catholic magazine also organized a committee with another catholic organisation, and raised funds through a benefit concert in conjunction with the Timorese Australian Community of Victoria.

Sponsoring a pilgrim is a practical way to show fellowship not only based on friendship but on shared beliefs and values. I will never ever forget the challenge of learning the Our Father and learning an East Timorese Hymn so that we could attempt to pray as a group together.  The pronunciation may not have been accurate all the time, but the sense of praying with our East Timor pilgrim friends was an experience never to be forgotten.

Sponsoring and fund raising activities are underway to help support pilgrims for WYD Madrid in 2011. New Horizons is hoping to sponsor a well deserving student through your support.  Just click on the donate widget on the right of my blog and enjoy a safe and Internet friendly environment to give a small, medium or large donation through pay pal. 

Unlike the previous WYD, raising the money for a well deserving Australian pilgrim costs $5100 due to the tyranny of distance.  Let not distance stop our fund-raising efforts. Sponsor a pilgrim and get behind whatever initiatives are being established in your country.  

If you are able to give a donation, New Horizons would appreciate it very much- your donation will not be wasted but will go towards sending one well deserving pilgrim, who would not be able to attend, but would indeed benefit from the experience now and into the future.