WYD@Home

The program for WYD@home is coming together. Beginning 26th July 2013. Here is a taster

 

Friday Night

 

After getting tents setup or collecting room keys we will have our first supper together. The WYD weekend will then begin in the marquee with an introduction from the MC’s, CJM leading praise and worship then a formal welcome to Aylesford from Fr. Damian Cassidy, O.Carm, one of the resident Carmelite friars, and Archbishop Peter. We will show some highlights of the events in Rio and link up with those from the UK and Ireland who have travelled to WYD. Expect a chance then to socialise while listening to great music including Something Simple and Jules Rendell.

A tradition of WYD is to have Stations of the Cross and WYD@Home will be no different. As the sun is setting over Aylesford we will be experiencing a retelling of the Passion around the ancient Marian Shrine finishing in a night prayer and the end of the days program.

 

Saturday

 

For those up early enough the day will start with Morning Prayer. Otherwise be sure to get some breakfast before 9.30! The main program will start after breakfast and the morning will feature a keynote from David Wells who you may recognise from the Flame congress at Wembley last year. There will be presentations from others including our CAFOD partners César Lopéz and Fredy Gallego from Columbia. César hopes to write and perform a song while in the UK on his signature "escopetarra" (a guitar made from a modified AK47) and Fredy will be using his skills as a graffiti artist to create a mural during the weekend.

There will be a chance during the morning for small group discussions over coffee and RISE Theatre will be performing. We will be hearing from those who have travelled to Rio and seeing short highlights of what has taken place so far. We will then finish for lunch which as always at Brightlights will feature live music.

After lunch we will meet for Mass on the Shrine and share in our first liturgy with CJM leading music. After Mass there are a number of opportunities available. Several workshops and seminars will be starting on a wide range of topics, you can choose to take part in a sport tournament (beach volleyball anyone?) or simply relax for an hour before dinner.

Dinner follows with a chance to socialise during the evening and listen to live music including Juliyaa. We will again gather during sunset on the Shrine, this time there will be a chance for Reconciliation and Adoration during which the site will temporarily fall silent in prayer. When it gets too cold or late the Blessed Sacrament will be moved into one of the Chapels where we invite you take part in Adoration. Groups from all over the UK and Ireland will be leading us in prayer and reflection during what will become an all-night Vigil.

 

Sunday

 

Depending on how late you stay up try to grab some breakfast before we gather with Praise and Worship! (Those who were up late be aware our speakers are VERY loud!) Beccy Roseman will start our day with a reflection before we hear from Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow the founder of Mary’s Meals and have catechises from Bishop Declan Lang. Small group discussions on what we have heard will follow with a question and answer session with all the mornings speakers.

The discussions will continue into lunch where we have more live music. Sunday is the main day in Rio. This will be when the Papal Mass takes place. A big screen on the Shrine will be showing highlights from this as we celebrate Mass together during the early afternoon. There will be even more workshops and seminars taking place after Mass.

It is now time for the evening’s celebrations to begin. Dinner will be accompanied with music and followed by the now annual Brightlights pub quiz. Aylesford will be transformed during the evening into a Rio Carnival atmosphere as headliners Sounds of Salvation offer up their unique Ska music to dance along to.

 

Monday

 

Sadly the festival is near its end. A final talk allows us a chance to reflect on the weekend and what our mission moving forward is. A commissioning Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vincent Nichols ends the festival and we go our separate ways bounded by the shared experiences and mission we have gained though the weekend.