Guy Sebastian , Gay Marriage?? This is an issue?

Someone insinuated at the Catholic News Agency that Guy isn't deserving as a winning composer for the WYD- because of his views on Gay Marriage. I dropped in for a chat on the comment box. Too bad its moderated.

Simple Facts about WYD. Can non-catholics join?

World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in
Sydney 15-20 July 2008 World Youth Day is the Catholic Church's Day for youth and with youth World Youth Day gathers young people from around the world to build bridges
of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures

Inspired by great gatherings of the world’s youth for Palm Sunday events in Rome, Pope John Paul II established World Youth Day as an annual event and to reach out to the next generation of Catholics

World Youth Day has been held since 1986, when the first event was held in Rome. It is celebrated every year in Rome and at a Diocesan level and a major
international celebration is held every 2-3 years in a different host city.

Sydney will host the 23 World Youth Day and the 10th World Youth Day
outside Rome

World Youth Day is an invitation from the Holy Father to all the youth of the world without any kind of discrimination. While World Youth Day celebrates young people’s Catholic faith, its message is relevant for all people. The event welcomes people of all backgrounds wishing to join the experience

World Youth Day has previously been held in Rome, Paris, Cologne (Germany), Czestochowa (Poland), Denver (USA), Toronto (Canada), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Manila (The Philippines) and Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Sydney’s role as host of WYD08 started with the Handover of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady on Sunday 9 April 2006 following the traditional Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square

Note: Yes, there is no discrimination, this is not a "catholic event only", its a "youth event". So just like the Vatican 2, if you're not Catholic, you're welcome!

How To Join the Pilgrims in Sydney

To go to Sydney for the World Youth Day, DO NOT JOIN weird "companies" who say they have "track records" in bringing people to WYDs in the past. These are scams or worse, they're legit but they already have a record with previous WYDS-that their pilgrims NEVER RETURN to the the country of origin. What does that mean to you? ALL your visas will NOT BE APPROVED --at the last minute. This has happened in Manila last time (to Germany).

The best way is to align yourself to YOUR PARISH or to a big group like Light of Jesus Community. Get in touch with them and join their contingent.

Guy Sebastian makes Official Song..Hmm?

Sydney, May 16, 2007 / 01:20 pm (CNA).- The official hymn for World Youth Day in 2008 has just been chosen. “Receive the Power” is the title of the official hymn for the celebration of the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney. The song was written by young Australian composer Guy Sebastian. “We were looking for a hymn which would be involving and inspiring”, WYD 2008 co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP explained.

“Above all it had to be a song which would fill the young participants with enthusiasm and capture the essence of the World Youth Day theme chosen by the Pope: You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will descend upon you and you will be my witnesses. Guy's song meets with all these requisites: it inspires the youth of the world to accept Jesus' call to follow him to the ends of the earth as his witnesses. ”

Receive the Power was chosen after a selection process involving over 120 pieces. The Pontifical Council for the Laity, which is involved in preparations for WYD on the part of the Holy See, is in agreement with the choice of the hymn. “It combines the necessary musical and thematic elements as well as being easy to sing for people of different languages. We are convinced that Receive the Power WYD hymn will be played and sung by young Catholics everywhere on the occasion of World Youth Day and from then on”, the Bishop said.

Australian composer singer Guy Sebastian made a name for himself in 2003, when he started composing music for his parish at the age of thirteen. In 2005, Guy was nominated World Vision Ambassador and went to Uganda to film' a documentary on the difficulties people face there due to poverty and civil war. He has also written numerous songs for Australian singers.

Personal note: I thought Guy is a member of Hillsong Church? It turns out he's Catholic? Well there are Caths in Hillsong anyway.