BY THEA JARVIS

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Visitors to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will find youthful energy pulsing through this Olympic haven of hospitality over the next several weeks.

Youth groups from around the Archdiocese of Atlanta and beyond have volunteered to help meet and greet thousands of Olympic guests expected to pass through the Shrine's historic sanctuary during the Centennial Games and the Paralympic Games that follow.

"We really wanted to be Christ to people as opposed to preaching at people. One way was to do corporal works of mercy," said Kathy Wolf, youth consultant for the archdiocese who organized a service project designed to capture youthful interest and make a significant contribution to Atlanta's Olympic summer.

Some 15 young people per day will act as goodwill ambassadors, manning greeting tables, directing visitors, serving at Mass and passing out water to thirsty pedestrians.

Local volunteers include alumni of the Search retreat experience and young parishioners from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Atlanta, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Carrollton, St. Joseph Church in Marietta, St. Patrick Church in Norcross, St. John the Evangelist Church in Hapeville, Church of St. Andrew in Roswell, St. Pius X Church in Conyers, and Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Atlanta.

While most volunteers will commute from metro parishes, some are making a longer trip. A group of 19 New Zealanders will spend three weeks as part of the Shrine's volunteer corps.

"They said they'd do anything they could to serve," Ms. Wolf said of the enthusiastic troupe, which conducts youth rallies associated with the charismatic renewal in New Zealand.

In addition to lending a hand at the Shrine, the New Zealanders will present informal street performances outside the church and host youth rallies at suburban parishes. The first rally is planned for July 21 at Holy Cross Church in Atlanta following the 5:30 p.m. Life Teen Mass, the second July 28 at St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro after the 5 p.m. Life Teen Mass.

Assistance for the Shrine's Olympic outreach also came through the Federation of Catholic Youth Ministers. At their national convention held in January, Ms. Wolf's call for help was answered quickly and generously. Not a surprise, she said, since "youth ministers are always pitching in."

The Diocese of Raleigh, N.C. offered a tent to shelter one of the Shrine's outside water stations. The Boston Archdiocese collected paper goods to augment the Shrine's supply of tissues, cups and towels. And the Church of St. Ann in Gulf Breeze, Fla., volunteered a team of teens to help at the Shrine during the first few days of Olympic competition.

"They'll be working side by side with our kids," said Ms. Wolf, who has been juggling manpower, volunteer schedules and the Olympic countdown for over a year.

"It's been really difficult because we've never done the Olympics before," she said candidly. "We don't know what to expect--and we're just trying to pass out water to people!"

As an example, Ms. Wolf noted that some 10,000 cups a day will be used by thirsty Shrine visitors. Donations of goods from outside the Olympic city have been especially welcome since "all the resources around here are pretty much gone," she said.

Despite difficulties, she believes the Games are an ideal opportunity for young Catholics to enrich and expand their faith journey.

"It's extremely valuable," said Ms. Wolf. "We want young people to get a taste of service, to be with Catholic youth from around the country and around the world."