Pope Benedict XVI's WYD09 Message The full text of the Pope's message letter can be found in pdf format below, or online at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090222_youth_en.html Bishop Michael's Leten Pastoral LetterEach Lent, the Bishop writes a Pastoral Letter to the diocese. The full text of his 2009 letter can be found in pdf format below. Prayer for Australia Father, you reached out by the power of the Holy Spirit to show your love for all creation. You invite everyon to share in your life made available to us in Jesus. You established the Church to bring your good news to all people. Let your Holdy Spirit help us to be the presence of your saving love to all. May that same Spirit help us to proclaim your good news in a way that is meaningful to people and touches their hearts.
May we, like Mary, Help of Chrisitians,have the courage of the cross, to fulfil the mission you gave us, Sharing in his confidence and trust in you, we ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Pope Benedict XVI on The Word of God 'My dear young friends, meditate often on the word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. You will then discover that God's way of thinking is not the same as that of humankind's. You will find yourselves led to contemplate the real God and to read the events of history through his eyes. You will savour in the fullness the joy that is born of truth... The loving presence of God, through his word, is the lamp that dispels the darkness of fear and lights up the path even when times are difficult.' Pope Benedict XVI, 9 April 2006, "Message to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the Twenty-first World Youth Day') Links to Prayer OnlineDaily Prayer Online - This site offers guided prayer reflection, daily Gospel reflection, daily readings in mp3 format, daily classroom prayer, a thought for the day, and offers an opportunity to post your own prayer intentions and/or read the prayer intentions of others. mp3Pray.com - This Australian webisite offers prayers on mp3 format so that you can follow along while the prayer is being read from your computer. Prayers include the Rosary, Divine Mercy, Act of Contrition, Angelus and more. It also has a link to live Adoration, and webcasts of the daily mass and the Sunday mass. Universalis - A source of weekday and Sunday readings from the Jerusalem Bible. This site offers the chance to particpate in the Church's universal prayer and gives the liturgy of the day, the previous day, and the week ahead. It also contains links to the various 'Hours' for the day and to the daily Mass readings. Life Teen - Life Teen is a USA based Catholic Movement. This site offers a source of daily devotionals providing resources and faith experiences to help young people to grow in their faith and become closer to Christ. By the way, you don't have to be a 'teen' to find this useful... Interview with God - This site offers guided meditations on a diverse range of topics. If you don't know where to start, try the reflections on "The Lord's Prayer', 'The Beatitudes', 'Psalm 23', and 'The Love Verses'. Catholic Ireland - A website that helps lead young people to pray using the Word of God. Upon entering the site, you will be guided in morning or night prayer to pray for people whilst reflecting on the Gospael reading of the day. A Prayer after World Youth Day Sydney 2008"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8) God Our Father, we dedicate to You all our encounters, our new friendships, the joys and the challenges we experienced at the World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. Continue to guide and protect our Holy Father Pope Benedict and all the leaders of the Church. Inspire and direct all those beyond World Youth Day. Unite and protect them by your fatherly care. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, before you ascended to the Father, You promised to send Your Holy Spirit so that we might be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. We thank You for the efforts of all our staff and volunteers at this World Youth Day celebration. Help us all now to take up our cross and follow you under the heavenly sign of the Southern Cross. Amen. Holy Spirit, continue to pour out Your grace on this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit that we may harvest the fruits of a New Pentecost. As the people of this land have welcomed the young people of the world with open arms, open the hearts of each of them to conversion of life, a deeper faith, and love for all. Enable us to build with You a new civilization of life, love and truth. Make us true witnesses to Your power and grace, Amen. Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians - pray for us. Blessed Mary MacKillop - pray for us. | 
WYD09 Message
