Dear Missionaries, I recently attended an Advisory Committee to which I belong for the World Youth Day, and I would like to keep you informed and updated. These are some of the main points that were discussed and given importance to in the meeting.
ABOUT TRAVELLING TO SYDNEY It was repeated to us over and over in this meeting that pilgrims need to book early their flights, because there is going to be limited availability of seats. For the following reasons: • Sydney airport receives 135,000 passengers weekly • The whole of Australia receives 235,000 passengers weekly • Qantas may not offer extra charter flights, because they may not fill planes to go out of Australia . • Qantas has been asked to close all their seats for commercial use as from July, 2007 for the WYD dates thus this reserves seats for pilgrims • 25,000 neo-catechumens from all over the world will be travelling to WYD, they have been asked to seek entry into Australia , through Africa or other Asian countries.
ABOUT THE SONG COMPETITION • The song competition for the WYD song begins October 1, 2006, and will close on December 1 st , 2006. • The condition of entry is that all composers must be Australian, or Australian Residents • The theme song will be selected in April, 2007 and released by July, 2007 • The theme song will be downloadable from the WYD website next year In conclusion, our song competition will still continue for the Verbum Dei Encounter at Stanwell Tops.
ABOUT REGISTRATIONS AND VISAS INTO AUSTRALIA • Registration for the World Youth Day will be possible through the WYD website in the coming weeks. • Each pilgrim must register personally, and write the name of the group you will be travelling with. • Upon registering, your registration will be sent automatically to immigration, and they will in turn send a visa / or not… • Form of payment will only be through credit card or wire • Registration is completed only when payment is sent – if there is no payment the visa is invalid.
ABOUT OUR INVOLVEMENT DURING THE DAYS OF WORLD YOUTH DAY IN SYDNEY As all of you know, prior to the WYD in Sydney , we will have our International Encounter in Stanwell Tops. We have already sent out DVDs and posters to Europe and The United States. Although it is early we would love to hear your feedback and comments for us to be able to organize ourselves. Depending on your availability to come, we will offer Verbum Dei members for the diverse activities being held during the WYD days in Sydney . We need to have a sense of who we can count on, for these activities.
ABOUT OUR WEBSITE Verbum Dei Australia has a new website, but some communities have trouble viewing it because the old website pops up. What you need to do, is delete the old one in your favourites and add in the new one. www.verbumdeiaustralia.com We have also put a form for those interested in registering for Verbum Dei Encounter prior to WYD. We hope this information is helpful and we will keep you updated. Very united, Maria Pineda |