About Us

What is World Youth Day?

World Youth Day is a Catholic celebration that brings together young people from over 150 countries to learn about their faith and celebrate it. In 2005 participants will learn how German Catholics live their faith and also experience life in their country. In addition, foreign participants will teach German youth about how they live their faith and about life in their countries.

World Youth Day 2005:

The NATSICC Council has selected the successful nominees from around Australia. Traveling as part of the NATSICC group will be:

  • Tamara Walker
  • Tenaya Edwards
  • John Winch, Vic
  • Matthew Shields, NSW
  • Agnes Pigram
  • Tristan Sarah, WA
  • Anzac Leidig, SA - Leader
  • Maree McCarthy, NT - Leader

NATSICC Sponsorship Details

NATSICC places great importance on the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth involvement in the Catholic Church in Australia. In 2002 NATSICC, with the help of Caritas Australia sponsored a group to travel to Canada to attend World Youth Day. As a result of this trip, Maree McCarthy has been appointed NATSICC Youth Councillor.

What will be the programme of World Youth Day in Cologne?

World Youth Day will be opened by a Ceremony presided by the Archbishop of Cologne, on August 16, 2005. On Thursday afternoon, August 18, the arrival of the Pope will be celebrated with a Welcoming Ceremony. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the young participants will meet with numerous bishops from all over the world for catechesis in various languages.

On Friday, August 19, there will be a celebration of the Way of the Cross.
World Youth Day will culminate in the concluding manifestations with the Pope which begin with the Vigil, on Saturday night, andend with the Concluding Mass, on Sunday.

During these days there will be numerous occasions for personal prayer and receiving the sacrament of reconciliation in many churches. Furthermore a Youth Festival with a wide range of manifestations will provide many occasions for encounter and celebration.

Who will we travel with?

The NATSICC group will travel with groups from Darwin, NorthernTerritory and Broome, Western Australia. Bishop Saunders and several Priests will accompany the group on the pilgrimage to Cologne and the World Youth Day event itself.

Itinerary 2005

Date Location
7th Darwin: Meeting Youth from Darwin and Broome
8th Fly Darwin to Brunei
9th Arrive France
10th Carcassone to Lourdes
11th Lourdes Pilgrimage
12th Lourdes to Paris
13th Paris Exploration
14th Paris to Luxembourg
15th Luxembourg to Cologne
21st World Youth Day
22nd London to Darwin via Brunei
23rd Darwin - home