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WYD-CONFIRMATIONS Jul-2-2008 (350 words) xxxi
Young Texas man among 24 to be confirmed by pope at WYD closing Mass
By Anthony Barich
Catholic News Service
PERTH, Australia (CNS) -- A young man from the Diocese of Austin, Texas, will be among 24 people who will be confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI during the July 20 closing Mass for World Youth Day in Sydney.
Juan Martinez, a member of St. Margaret Mary Church in Cedar Park, Texas, said he was asked to be part of the ceremony by Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of Austin.
The 18-year-old Mexican immigrant who arrived in the U.S. nine years ago will be among the 14 Australians and 10 young people from other countries who will be anointed with holy oil after Pope Benedict invokes the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The 24 also will receive Communion from the pope.
One of the young Australians to be confirmed, Shannon Kyrwood, 25, said it is "mind-blowing" just to think that the pope will confirm her, and does not expect to fully grasp it until the sleep-out at Royal Randwick Racecourse the night before the Mass.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Kyrwood, who was introduced to her local Catholic Church by her fiance's family. "I always felt a part of the church because my local church is so welcoming, but this will make it official."
Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony C. Fisher, coordinator for the July 15-20 World Youth Day events, said the ceremony will be unforgettable for the group.
"It's not every day that one is confirmed by the global leader of the Catholic Church before hundreds of thousands of people," Bishop Fisher said.
"The sacrament is life-changing and to receive the sacrament in this way will prove an unforgettable experience, one that they will each carry with them for the rest of their lives," the bishop said. "The candidates have been selected as representatives of their regions by bishops across Australia and we are absolutely delighted to be able to present them to the pope for this momentous occasion."
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Contributing to this story was Dennis Sadowski in Washington.
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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