A priest friend sent me this. It's stinkin' hilarious. Watch it right now. Especially if you've ever been to a LifeTeen Mass or any other "dynamic" youth Mass.
Last March 2nd registration opened for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. After a little more than a month, more than 57,000 people have signup to attend the world event which will take place in the Australian capital in July of next year.
“The registration is going well. Although group registration is still not mandatory, it is a great help to know the number of pilgrims we are going to be welcoming, thus giving us the chance to welcome them better and be more organized,” WYD officials said.
Regarding the transportation system, the organizing committee explained that the Australian government has eliminated the cost of visas and has made the system simple and fast for everyone.
Benedict XVI has invited the youth of Rome to approach the sacrament of reconciliation on the eve of the diocesan-level World Youth Day 2007.
After reciting the Angelus today with the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father invited the young people of the Diocese of Rome to "a penitential liturgy," at which he himself will preside this Thursday.
"Those who wish to may approach the sacrament of confession, a true encounter with God's love, which every man needs to live in joy and in peace," he said to them.
The penitential event will take place in St. Peter's Basilica. World Youth Day 2007 will be observed April 1, Palm Sunday.
According to Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, head of the pastoral office for youth in the Vicariate of Rome, in the course of the penitential celebration the Pope will administer the sacrament of reconciliation to six young people.
With the approval of the Vatican, organizers of the 2008 World Youth Day events in Australia will charge registration fees based on the wealth of each pilgrim's home country.
"The pricing structure ensures that pilgrims from more affluent nations, including Australian pilgrims, share in a reasonable part of the costs of WYD08 and support pilgrims from less-affluent nations," said an announcement on the event's official Web site.
Organizers said the four-tiered registration fee system was based on national income classifications developed by the World Bank.
Pilgrims from Australia, the United States, Canada and Western Europe, but also Poland, Mexico and several Caribbean countries will be asked to pay higher registration fees than pilgrims coming from middle- and low-income countries.
Pilgrims from countries in the South Pacific that have been classified either as "lower middle" or "low income" -- such as Fiji, East Timor and Papua New Guinea -- will be offered the steepest discount.
The most comprehensive package includes accommodation in a church facility or private home July 14-20, most meals during the period and local transportation. Pilgrims from the wealthiest nations wanting the full package will be asked to pay $395 Australian (US$308).
Registration just for the weekend of July 19-20, including three meals and transportation, will cost $175 Australian (US$136).
The price list is published on the World Youth Day Web site, www.wyd2008.org.
Organizers said registration for groups would open by late March while individual enrollments would be accepted starting in the middle of the year.
