The Sydney Archdiocese is seeking volunteers for the International Eucharistic Congress, scheduled to take place in Sydney in 2028. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
“The International Eucharistic Congress in 2028 will present enormous logistical challenges, and there are innumerable practical difficulties that need to be examined and resolved,” the archdiocese’s Sebastian Condon said.
“As I toil away in my office, wrestling these quandaries, the thought of a few thousand willing volunteers often presents itself as the best possible solution,” Mr Condon said.
“After all, assisting others at an International Eucharistic Congress, either by providing directions or alerting people to the presence of a good Chinese restaurant down the road, would arguably qualify as exercises of either the corporal or spiritual works of mercy.”
Mr Condon said that when he asks people if they’d like to register interest in volunteering, they often reply, “I am not able, I can’t help in any meaningful way, I don’t have the skills necessary.”
“If you would like to volunteer for the IEC in 2028, please do not let any doubts as to your talents or abilities prevent you from submitting your name to us,” Mr Condon said.
“As with the Sydney Olympics in 2000, as with World Youth Day in 2008, there will be need for very considerable numbers of expert and enthusiastic volunteers to help guide, direct, support and encourage attendees at the IEC in 2028.
“My own experience of the US National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last year was that well-trained volunteers can make a significant difference to the Congress experience for participants.”
He said that in the case of the IEC in 2028, the phrase “once in a lifetime event” is “entirely accurate”.
“The congress was last held in Sydney in 1928 and, following the mammoth celebrations in 2028, it is unlikely to revisit this region again during our lifetimes,” Mr Condon said.
“To be a part of that historic enterprise is a tremendous privilege; and it is a privilege that is being freely offered to each and every one of you.”
If you would like to express your interest in volunteering for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, or to be added to the mailing list for updates, please email: [email protected].
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Work with us and see lives changed in Jesus’ name in 2028 (By Sebastian Condon, The Catholic Weekly)
