Deadline to register for World Youth Day: Oct. 13

    Groups and individuals who want to participate in the local celebration of World Youth Day must register no later than Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.
    The event, open to students in grades six through 12 and their adult chaperones, will take place Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Loyola University New Orleans. In a nod to the day’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew, the theme will be “Like a Good Neighbor, God’s Always There.”
    The keynote speakers, both veteran speakers on issues of teen faith, will be Chris Padgett, a convert to Catholicism and an accomplished Christian musician; and Brian Greenfield, a Franciscan Friar and speaker for the New Jersey-based, non-profit youth ministry “Hard as Nails.”
    World Youth Day will once again offer separate tracks for junior high and high school students. A new twist this year: sixth- and seventh-grade participants will be invited to view “Mystery Trip,” a short film produced by Metairie-based Dumb Ox Productions that challenges young Catholics to ponder where God is calling them in their faith journey. After the screening, students will break into small groups to discuss questions raised by the film.
    A Mass led by celebrant and homilist Archbishop Gregory Aymond will conclude World Youth Day. The event is sponsored annually by the archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office.
    Visit  www.wydno.com and click on “register,” or call 836-0551.