Mags Gargan
Organisers have issued an appeal for at least 3,000 volunteers to assist with the planning and organising of the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) and expected papal visit to Dublin next year.
More than 1,500 people have expressed an interest in helping, but twice that number is needed to form part of the operational team which will organise and run the six-day festival of faith and related preparatory events taking place around the country.
The volunteer recruitment drive is also asking for participants for the ‘Host a Pilgrim/Family’ programme, with the aim of hosting pilgrims in family-homes based in and around Dublin.
“We are inviting women and men with a variety of gifts, skills and talents to help us,” said WMOF Secretary General, Fr Timothy Bartlett.
“Most importantly of all we are looking for people with a welcoming, positive and flexible attitude, who can work as part of a team to assist the thousands of pilgrims who will come to participate in the World Meeting of Families,” he said.
Rewarding
“I have no doubt that it will be a rewarding and memorable experience for anyone who takes part, as well as a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the biggest events to take place in Ireland next year.”
The World Meeting of Families takes place from August 21-26, 2018. Becoming a volunteer will include a formal online volunteer application, a training programme, as well as Garda vetting and screening process in line with WMOF2018 safeguarding policies.
Volunteers must be resident in Ireland, over 18 years of age and respectful of the Catholic ethos of the event. Visit www.worldmeeting2018.ie/volunteer to apply. Applicants interested in hosting a pilgrim, or a family, in their home, are invited to email volunteer@worldmeeting2018.ie and insert “Host a Family” in the subject field.