Young witnesses take up the call for Eucharist28

Bishop Richard Umbers presided over a commissioning Mass on 28 October for 362 student ambassadors for the 2028 International Eucharist Congress. The Mass took place at St Brigid’s Church in Marrickville and marked the two year countdown to the congress.

The ambassadors are students from systemic and independent Catholic schools within the archdiocese. Sydney Catholic Schools appointed two students from every selected primary and secondary school in Years 4 and 9. These students will promote Eucharistic culture in their schools by encouraging peers to participate in prayer, worship, service, and community life. Guy Zangari, the International Eucharist Congress manager for Sydney Catholic Schools, said the roles were highly sought after and that a large number of submissions made the selection process difficult.

During the Mass, which included concelebrating priests Father Danielle Russo and parish priest Father Giltus Mathias, each student received a plaque and a candle. Father Russo led the congregation in the recitation of the prayer "A Prayer Before Mass" by Saint Thomas Aquinas.