Young Glebe man faithfully leads the way

BY MICK ROBERTS

With an Italian dad, and Filipino mum, Glebe’s Giovanni Portelli says he could not have had a stronger Catholic up-bringing.
The 26-year-old is one of 13 young men and women from the inner-city who will take part in a series of leadership training programs designed to prepare those identified by their schools, parishes and community groups as pilgrim leaders for Sydney’s Catholic World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08).
‘I suppose I couldn’t have had a better Catholic parentage,’ Giovanni said when The City News interrupted his WYD information hand-out in the city.
Two years ago he was asked by his Glebe parish priest at St James of God, if he would be interested in becoming involved in WYD.
‘I had never heard of it prior to that,’ he said.
Since then, like many young Catholics in the city, he has taken hold of WYD with enthusiasm. Besides leading 11 young people from his parish to what is expected to be the largest event ever staged in Sydney, Giovanni has also volunteered his time as the local home stay coordinator.
His job as an accommodation strategist – where he manages office space for firms across the nation – prompted him to volunteer for the job.
Giovanni was trusted with finding billets in and around Glebe for some of the 125,000 international visitors expected in Sydney during July.
‘We have found 13 houses in Glebe, Pyrmont and Ultimo, willing to host 30 overseas pilgrims,’ Giovanni said.
‘There will be a few interesting situations, because many of these pilgrims can’t speak a word of English.’
Giovanni says the event has not only rekindled his faith and spiritualism but that of many other young people in the city.
‘World Youth Day is just what the young people of Australia need at the moment,’ he said.
‘This has provided an opportunity for many young Australians to freely discuss their faith with other young Australians,’ he said.
‘I never spoke openly about my faith with other people my age until this came along.’
Evangelisation and Catechesis Director for WYD08 Steve Lawrence said the role taken up by Giovanni was an opportunity to develop leadership skills and to help guide international pilgrims through the World Youth Day experience.
‘This training will provide much practical information and advice on how this can be achieved,’ he said.
The leadership program is being run by the World Youth Day Sydney Archdiocese Committee (WYDSAC) and will train over 600 young leaders from all over Sydney.
WYDSAC Executive Lyndon Cox said the event will bring the leader of the world’s largest Christian church Pope Benedict to Australia for the first time.
‘We want to engage as many young people as possible to get involved and share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ he said.
The training sessions are being held at three sites, including St Mary’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD.
During the two hour training sessions, local participants will hear from speakers on topics such as previous World Youth Day experiences and the preparations for Sydney’s big day. They will also take-part in prayerful activities and be entertained by local bands and entertainment.
WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has hosted, bringing more international visitors to Sydney than the 2000 Olympics. It will be held from July 15 to 20.
For more information visit www.wyd2008.org