Cross arrival looms

CORRIMAL resident Kassandra Hobbs is looking forward to the arrival in Wollongong next Thursday of the Cross and Icon for World Youth Day 2008.

Ms Hobbs was one of 1.2 million young Catholics who gathered in Cologne, Germany, for Youth Day 2005.

“I was there for World Youth Day 2005 and the experience was amazing – and to know that that’s going to be happening in the Illawarra is a huge thing,” Ms Hobbs said.

“It’s the spirit of it – it’s unexplainable. Everyone comes together.”

Wollongong is a co-host of the World Youth Day events planned for Sydney and the Illawarra and it is estimated that as many as 10,000 visitors, having made the pilgrimage to Australia from all over the world for the event, will visit the region.

Ms Hobbs will be working as a volunteer throughout the WYD events.

She said there was already a groundswell of enthusiasm and fervour among Illawarra’s Catholic youth.

“It will have a lasting impact on the Illawarra – The spirit will just continue – it has a catching effect,” Ms Hobbs said.

“It’s already doing that and there has been so much build up in the last few years.

“I remember when I was little just going along to Sunday School – but there is so much more in the Illawarra for Catholic youth now – there is so much happening and so many ways to be involved.

“There is a real momentum.”

Despite initial concerns held by many that Pope Benedict’s approach may prove too conservative, with the potential to alienate youth, Ms Hobbs said that she and many other young people had fast become avid fans of the pontiff.

“The Catholic Church has definitely become more encompassing of young people – we are involved in all aspects – even in the traditional sense, we do have a voice,” she said.

“I think Pope Benedict is great – one of the first things he did as a pope was World Youth Day 2005 and it was his first trip outside Rome.

“To see him be there in front of 1.2 million young people says a lot about him.

“He was so comforting towards us and it showed a lot to the youth of the world.

“It showed us that he is a fantastic Pope.”