Young people are being offered the opportunity of a lifetime by joining Pope Francis and a party from our diocese heading to World Youth Day 2019 in Panama.
Bishop Terry and Monsignor Gerard Robinson will lead the group attending the six-day event in the Central American state.
The gathering takes place from January 22 to 27, culminating with an evening vigil with the Holy Father on the Saturday evening and Mass on the Sunday morning.
There will also be catechetical sessions, prayer and reconciliation services and shows and music. A limited number of places are available and the costs will be substantially subsidised.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people in our diocese to be part of a very special gathering and to share a unique experience with other young Catholics from all over the world,” said Monsignor Robinson.
“We’re privileged to have Pope Francis leading what promises to be a deeply spiritual week that none of those attending will ever forget.
“We’d especially like to hear from young people who have never had the chance to attend this kind of event before.
“We’re fortunate to be in a position to be able to provide funding to make the trip affordable and we’re keen that nobody should be excluded for financial reasons.
“If you would like to be part of WYD 2019, I’d urge you to let us know as possible as we are only able to take a small group with us.”
Those attending must have turned 17 by September 1 2018.
The theme of WYD 2019 is the words spoken by Mary in Luke 1:38, “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
WYD was inaugurated by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1985 and around three million people attended the last event, in Krakow in 2016.
If you might be interested in taking part, please call bishop’s secretary Sarah Holmes on 01642 850505 or email bishopsecretary@dioceseofmiddlesbrough.co.uk.
You will then be invited to attend a meeting at St Mary’s Cathedral to discuss further plans.
Warning: Work Youth Day has changed people’s lives and could change yours!
Official Prayer for WYD Panamá 2019
Merciful Father,
You call us to live our lives as a way of salvation.
Help us to recall the past with gratitude, to embrace the present with courage and to build the future with hope.
Lord Jesus, our friend and brother, thank you for looking upon us with love. Let us listen to your voice as it resonates in the hearts of each one with the strength and light of the Holy Spirit.
Grant us the grace of being a Church that goes forth with vibrant faith and a youthful face to communicate the joy of the Gospel.
May we help to build up the kind of society we long for, one where there is fairness and fellowship.
We pray for the pope and the bishops; for young people; for all those who will take part in World Youth Day in Panama and for those who are preparing to welcome them.
Our Lady of Antigua, Patroness of Panama, help us to pray and live with generosity like yours: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word”(Luke 1:38).
Amen