World Youth Day 2011 logo is set, it’s time to start a bake sale…

MADRID, ESP — The logo for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid was presented today: The image reflects youth of the world beneath the cross, united to form the crown of Our Lady, patron of Madrid. The logo designer, Jos Gil-Nogus, explained that the image symbolizes “youth of the whole world united to celebrate their faith together with the Pope, at the foot of the cross, and they form the crown of Our Lady of Almudena, patron of Madrid.” The crown, Gil-Nogus added, forms the “M” of Mary and of Madrid. And the cross, symbol of Christianity, presides over the event. Read more here.

Meanwhile, our previous World Youth Day hosts have renewed their own vision for youth ministry. Check it out, U.S., it looks partly familiar.
SYDNEY, AUS — A national vision to guide youth ministry development has been published, following years of work initiated by the Australian Network of Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinators and supported by the Bishops Commission for Pastoral Life. Bishop Brian Heenan, a member of the former Bishops Committee for Laity that approved the project, said “Anointed and Sent: An Australian Vision for Catholic Youth Ministry” was a “will be essential reading for those entering Youth Ministry and a useful guide for thinking about youth ministry into the future.” Read more here.

And, in local news . . .

BALTIMORE, MD — Kelly Randolph and Christian Santarpia asked veterans of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s High School Leadership Institute – better known as High LI – what their own experience would be like. The answers were the same – lives would be altered. The week brought together 59 high school-aged, archdiocesan teens for what many described as “a spiritual boot camp.” High LI’s goal is to equip participants to return to their parishes and schools for ministry leadership.

Once the teens arrived, the scope of their responsibilities became apparent. The fate of house meetings, daily Masses, prayer service and activities rested in their hands. The teens made video presentations that were scrutinized until each participant showed they could effectively communicate their messages. “Even though the evaluations may seem critical, it’s a learning experience because you learn from your mistakes,” said Francesca Cerquetti, a 17-year-old parishioner of St. Joseph in Fullerton Read more here.