SALE DIOCESE CELEBRATES JUBILEE OF YOUTH

 

On Saturday 19 July 2025, hundreds of young people in the Diocese of Sale joined with millions of youth across the World in celebrating the Jubilee of Youth in this our Jubilee Year, when we are all called to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

With a theme of ‘Highway to Heaven’ this key Diocesan event, hosted by Our Lady Help of Christians Parish (OLHC), Narre Warren, formed part of the wider observance of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, and brought together youth, Clergy, parish staff, volunteers, and families for a vibrant and faith-filled encounter with Christ.

The day commenced with a special welcome and blessing from Bishop Greg Bennet, before a 6.5km pilgrimage from St Michael’s School Hall in Berwick to Our Lady Help of Christians Church Narre Warren, with members of the Diocesan Mission Council farewelling the youth pilgrims. The pilgrims were led by the Diocesan LAMP  youth leaders, Fr Michael Willemsen, Parish Priest of OLHC, and accompanied by Jesus Youth leaders who walked with the groups and animated the pilgrimage.

After a rest stop at the beautiful Wilson Botanic Park on the Princes Hwy in Berwick, the pilgrimage then moved on to its final destination at OLHC Parish.

At the Parish, youth were welcomed with inspiring catechetical sessions focused on the Eucharist, followed by a time of Eucharistic Adoration in the Church. The day reached its spiritual peak with the celebration of the Vigil Mass, presided over by Bishop Greg. In his homily, he reflected on the Gospel of Mary and Martha, encouraging the faithful to “be both guest and host”, and to make their Parishes places of welcome and encounter - places of Bethany.

After Mass, the youth pilgrims joined the Parish community and Bishop Greg for a Jubilee dinner, provided by OLHC Parish ministries, including fellowship and conversation, which added to the evening’s spirit of unity and celebration.

The day concluded with a high-energy Youth Concert led by the Jesus Youth Band. Their blend of music, praise, and praying a decade of the Rosary before a beautifully lit statue of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, created a powerful atmosphere of joy, prayer, and encounter.

Bishop Greg was delighted to share in the day with the youth of the Diocese and said in his homily: “…today we have experienced the joy of being made welcome” and reminded the participants that they had been on a pilgrimage where they opened their lives to the journey of being together, of prayer, praise and song.  They have experienced the goodness of God’s love for all.

Addressing our youth directly, Bishop Greg reminded them that “we are so delighted in you.  We want to walk with you in reaching for your dreams and hopes.  We want to welcome your many gifts which can help all of us to be the Church we are called to be.  We want to say thank you for your energy, your generosity of service, your capacity to pray and to share your faith and for your honest questions which challenge us to grow.  You are, as Pope Francis said, “the embodiment of hope!”

The Jubilee Youth event brought together hundreds of volunteers - both directly and indirectly - from Parishes across the Diocese. From logistics to hospitality, the generosity of the communities was on full display. The LAMP Parishes pulled together to organise the food for the pilgrim's lunch. A particularly moving contribution came from St Patrick’s Parish Pakenham, where volunteers worked together to prepare and pack 300 sandwiches, plus 300 apples and mandarins. St Michael's contributed 100 sandwiches including gluten free and vegetarian varieties. St Thomas the Apostle and St Agatha’s together contributed around 400 snacks. 

Neighbouring Parishes joined wholeheartedly, with Clergy and Parish staff coming together to support the day’s events. Priests from across the Diocese joined Bishop Greg and Fr Michael, accompanying and encouraging the youth on their journey. It was a beautiful witness to inter-Parish collaboration and pastoral care.

A special commendation is due to the OLHC Parish team, whose exceptional planning and coordination under the leadership of Fr Michael ensured the smooth and inspiring execution of the day.

Above all, the Jubilee of Youth fostered deep connection among the young people, many of whom formed new friendships throughout the day. It was a reminder of the joy that comes from faith, community, and walking together in hope.

This event stands as a bold expression of the Church’s commitment to its young people and a clear sign of the vitality of faith in the Diocese of Sale.