From October 15 through 17, we had the honor of serving at the International Preparatory Meeting for World Youth Day.  Each bishops’ conference from around the world was invited to send two representatives.  The delegates also included representatives from religious communities and movements and the Diocesan Youth Ministry teams throughout Australia.  Each of our departments had significant roles in the conference.  My own team, the workforce team, was in charge of rostering the volunteers and planning for smooth operations of the conference.  Sr. Anna worked with the liturgy team to plan the Masses, as well as the sessions of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.  These provided not only opportunities to intercede for all involved in World Youth Day, but they also allowed the delegates to preview the sites that will be places of pilgrimage during World Youth Day, including St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Church, and the Shrine of Blessed Mary MacKillop.  The Evening Prayer liturgy included a lovely candle lighting service. Each delegation was invited to bring a candle to burn during this prayer, which will then be melted down to form with the others from around the world the one large candle to burn during World Youth Day.

Sr. Mary Rachel received an invitation to participate in the conference in an exceptional way.  The distinguished guests of the conference were the members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, headed by Archbishop Rylko.  They are the Vatican’s representatives who oversee and approve of the planning of World Youth Day.  Sr. Mary Rachel was asked to assist with their needs during their visit. Following is her account of this graced encounter: 

We just completed our International Preparatory Meeting of delegates from bishops’ conferences throughout the world along with the Pontifical Council for the Laity.  On Monday I went to work just as normal but was asked if I could assist Kathy Campbell with the Pontifical Council for the Laity. There were only five members present:  Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, Archbishop Josef Clemens, Monsignor Francis Kohn, Elizabeth Hawkins, and Doctor Marcello Bedeschi.  ....the greatest grace was to spend time with Archbishop Rylko, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.  He is a humble, down-to-earth man who has a sparkle of John Paul II in his eyes, probably because he ordained him as priest and later as bishop!  He was very interested in our community and remarked on our joy. 

Some encounters which will stand out in my mind are: riding to the Cathedral in a van with the Pontifical Council for the Laity, with Cardinal Pell and Bishop Anthony Fisher, surrounded by other servants of Christ and his church; when on a tour of the sites which will be used as the stations of the cross for WYD, stopping in front of the Sydney Opera House at noon to pray the Angelus, and on another occasion being asked by Archbishop Rylko about our community: “What is your apostolate?”  I answered, “We’re teachers.” “In schools?”  He was genuinely interested and pleased that we are teaching in Catholic schools.

So, it was to our incredible surprise that while all 200 delegates were at the concluding dinner on Wednesday evening Cardinal Pell interrupted the music with an announcement---the Holy Father has named several Cardinals, and "one is among us---Cardinal Rylko!"  He had just received the phone call!  He gave a quick speech because he was speechless but grateful that the Holy Father put such trust in him.  When I handed him a song sheet only moments after the announcement and his brief speech I congratulated him--to which he responded, "Pray for me."  He has a very special place in my heart after these few days with him, and in my prayers. 

Sister Mary Madeline, Sister Anna and I went up to him later to officially congratulate him.  Sr. Mary Madeline spoke on behalf of our community, expressing our support and congratulations!  Again he asked for prayers and motioned to "grow in Australia"!   

When on Friday we said our goodbyes---until July-- he encouraged us to continue to be witnesses of Christ here in Sydney.