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Diocese to sponsor World Youth Day pilgrimage

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

Pope Benedict XVI on July 2 became the first person to sign up for World Youth Day 2011 and now parishioners from the Diocese of Sioux City will get their chance.

The diocese recently announced that it will sponsor a pilgrimage to Madrid, Spain for WYD. Diocesan organizers say the 15-day trip from Aug. 11 to 25 will also include visits to two Marian shrines – Fatima and Lourdes.

Sean Martin, diocesan director of the Office of Religious Education, Family Life and Youth and Young Adult Ministry, said he approached Bishop R. Walker Nickless about a diocesan sponsored pilgrimage to WYD because the diocese had done so in the past and attendees found it to be an invaluable experience.

“I went to World Youth Day in Denver and it had a lasting impression on me,” he said. “A lot of people had an incredible, profound experience.”

Reasons to attend WYD abound, Martin said, from experiencing conversions to hearing God’s call to a religious vocation and joining with thousands of others throughout the world. Talks by and Mass with Pope Benedict XVI will also be a draw of the international youth gathering that is slated for Aug. 16-11.

Bishop backs pilgrimage
When Martin approached Bishop Nickless about the diocese sponsoring a pilgrimage, the bishop whole-heartedly gave his blessing. Bishop Nickless had also participated in the 1993 WYD as a priest serving in the Archdiocese of Denver under Cardinal James Francis Stafford, former archbishop of Denver.

“The event was amazing and took your breath away,” Bishop Nickless said. “I would hope that every young person could have the opportunity to experience something like that. It’s a wonderful way for the young people to see the universality of the church and the love and respect that so many people give to the Holy Father.”

In addition to seeing the diversity of the Catholic Church, the bishop said the World Youth Day experience offered youth a chance to learn about their faith as it included a catechetical component with educational talks and the celebration of the sacraments, especially confession.

“Everyone that I have talked to who has gone to World Youth Day has found it to be an extraordinary experience,” Bishop Nickless said. “They really get a lot out of it and I think that’s what young people need to help them revitalize their faith.”

Andrea Jenson, assistant director of youth and young adult ministry, will have the task of coordinating the trip. She will also participate in the trip.

“For some, this may be their chance to experience a pilgrimage for the first time – traveling for a purpose and not as a tourist,” she said.

Jenson pointed out that because they would be in Spain, they wanted to see other attractions that were nearby – thus the addition of the Marian shrines to the pilgrimage.

Martin spoke about the spiritual significance of pilgrimages and noted that he has a connection with Lourdes as a member of the North American Lourdes Volunteers.

Past participants
Maria Kasparbauer, a teacher from Des Moines who is a native of Manilla, participated in the 2008 WYD in Australia.

“My trip to Australia was most definitely a valuable experience,” she said. “It sparked an exploration of my faith at a new depth. Just like everything else in life, faith can evolve and change as you grow up.”

Upon returning to Iowa, Kasparbauer said she has continued to explore and learn about the Catholic faith. Without that experience she is uncertain where her faith would be today.

“It truly ignited a fire within me to learn more and figure out my adult beliefs,” she said. “I would recommend this to any young adult who is ready for growth in their faith life. It’s not just a vacation to Spain, but rather a pilgrimage to gain a deeper understanding of your personal beliefs as well as meet people from around the world that share the same faith.”

The diocese’s director of vocations, Father Brad Pelzel, also took part in the pilgrimage to Australia and attended WYD in Toronto.

“I would encourage anyone to go, particularly young people,” he said. “When you get so many people there who are focused on their faith and celebrating their faith, it’s powerful beyond words.”

Father Pelzel pointed out that local authorities in Sydney and Toronto had expected trouble – drinking and crime – with that many youth descending upon their cities, but it was just the opposite. People were walking around singing and there was a visible joy.

“I spent a lot of time hearing confessions and you see God working in the lives of the people,” he said. “It was awesome and I would consider it miraculous.”

The organizers also mentioned that the term “youth” is typically viewed as junior and senior high students but the worldwide church views it more as those 18 to 35 – more of the young adult age range.

However, Jenson said they will be accepting juniors and seniors in high school, those who are 16 years old by the time of the trip.

“We would love for them to come back after World Youth Day and be leaders in their parishes or Catholic schools,” she said. “It can really ignite the fire.”

Given the cost of the pilgrimage, $3,800, Bishop Nickless said he hopes the people of the diocese will consider offering financial support. He noted that people from all over the world have been asked to make donations to help defray the costs for those who cannot afford it.

“I would hope that people in our diocese in particular would be able to open their hearts and their financial resources and share it with our young people who would like to go,” the bishop said.

Jenson said they are currently accepting registrations for the pilgrimage as well as taking donations to offset the costs of the trip. When the diocese sponsored the last WYD trip, 10 people participated and the diocese hopes to increase numbers to about 25 to 30 this time.

The diocese hopes to offer scholarships or some form of financial assistance for the trip. Jenson said they can also offer tips for fundraising at the local level.

While a specific deadline has not been established, they anticipate to set one for early fall. Pastors have recently been sent info about the trip.

If you are interested in attending or contributing, contact Jenson at andreaj @ scdiocese.org. For more information check out the diocesan Web site at www. scdiocese. org.