Connect.org.nz aims ‘to be an online infrastructure that assists young Catholic Kiwis to live fully and be connected to Christ, the church and each other’ as it says on the website. When it comes to WYD, connect.org.nz is the home for all official blogs, videos, photos, competitions and news as well as linking into online social networks such as Bebo and Facebook.
Of course, the site is not just for pilgrims going to Sydney. Connect.org.nz is designed with six major sections – prayer, mission, knowledge, vocation, community and music. These sections will grow through 2008 to include more unique content, resources and links for young Kiwi Catholics at all stages of their faith journeys.
The newest feature, set to launch mid-May is the Daily Reflections on the readings, written by Catholics working with young people, as a way of encouraging young people to spend time with The Word.
Connect.org.nz is a joint project managed by the National World Youth Day Committee (NZ) (NWYDC) and the National Council for Young Catholics (NCYC). The project ties in significantly with the goals and vision of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference Strategic Plan for 2008 to 2013.