With Panama City as the backdrop, a young man waves the flag of Panama following a prayer vigil for young people in late April at the Church of Christ the Redeemer outside Panama City. World Youth Day 2019 will be celebrated Jan. 22-27 in Panama City. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Since only a small number from the Diocese of Honolulu are traveling to Panama for World Youth Day, Jan. 22-27, a local committee has planned events on Oahu that coincide with the international young adult gathering.
“We hope that our local celebration of World Youth Day will be an opportunity for young adults to encounter Jesus Christ and his church, but also to accompany one another in this journey as missionary disciples,” said Lisa Gomes, the director of the diocese’s Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, in an email.
The target audience for the local events are young adults ages 18-39, though all are welcome.
The planned schedule for local events includes:
Jan. 21, 6 p.m.: “Encountering Christ the Pilgrim” Mass, fellowship and catechesis at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Wahiawa.
Jan. 22: Young adults are encouraged to participate in the March for Life starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol. There will be catechesis and fellowship at 7 p.m. in a location yet to be determined.
Jan. 23, 6 p.m.: “Encountering Christ the Healer” Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in honor of St. Marianne Cope’s feast day. Catechesis and fellowship will follow at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Jan. 24, 6 p.m.: “Encountering Christ the Teacher” Mass, fellowship and catechesis at St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe.
Jan. 25, 6 p.m.: “Encountering Christ on the Cross” catechesis, the Way of the Cross and fellowship at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ewa Beach.
Jan. 26-27: “Encountering Christ the Son of Mary” at Chaminade University’s Mystical Rose Oratory. Activities start at 6 p.m. and will feature a ministry and vocations fair, live or recorded video from Panama, networking and fellowship, food, prayer, worship and adoration. The event ends with a 6 a.m. Mass Sunday morning with Bishop Larry Silva.
“World Youth Day is meant for the world and with technology and especially through social media this is possible,” Gomes said.
To that end, the committee plans to livestream catechesis sessions and Saturday’s activities on the OYYAM Facebook page. It also hopes to connect online with the small group of Big Island pilgrims who will be in Panama.
More information will be available on the OYYAM website: www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/yam/wyd.
