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• Day 9 - Vigil with the Pope
• Day 8 - Catechesis session & the Chocolate Museum
• Day 7 - Welcome Pope Benedict XVI !!!
• Day 6 - Catechesis session & Detroit Gathering
• Day 5 - First Full day in Koln
• Day 3 & 4 - Assisi and Rhine River Cruise
• Day 2 - Second Day in Rome
• Day 1 - Our Flight and Rome
• Daily Log Home

Sunday, August 21, 2005

 

Day 10 - Mass with the Pope

Our day started off by waking up with a cool breeze in our faces and the sun just coming over the horizon. Words can’t quite describe the feeling I had waking up to see the world around me and the purification I had in my heart. After a long day of trading and a beautiful vigil the previous night, we awaited the reappearance of our Holy Father and the last celebration of this life-changing week. Though we were all cold and our luggage wet from the dew, our spirits were still high. At 10:00am (4:00am at home), the Holy Father made his appearance and the biggest celebration of the Eucharist I have ever been a part of had started. After hearing the story of The Three Magi, Pope Benedict XVI (also known as “Benedeto�), gave an inspiring homily to the youth of the world. He first explained to us the true meaning of the Eucharist using a comparison between it and nuclear fission. He explained by through the Eucharist, an evil act could be over-taken by an explosion of blossoming love in your heart. Peter’s Successor then continued to explain the importance of attending Mass every Sunday. He stated that for the emotionally weak, Mass is the cure. He also added that the Mass is also the answer to helping out our spiritually weak society in which we live and that the Mass should be fun!

After the enlightening homily, over a million people were given the Holy Eucharist. This thought alone is mind-boggling. After receiving Communion, we left the Vigil sight and walked six miles to get to the train. To our surprise, we got right on the train and got back to the hotel way before schedule. The Vigil was amazing, and truly is an experience I will never forget. We ended our day together by eating a sit-down meal, sharing in a communication circle and praying together.

Evan Ralko

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM    

News Articals about WYD

• cnn.com

• bbc.com

• ap.org

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 5:59 AM  

Saturday, August 20, 2005

 

Day 9 - Vigil with the Pope

Waking up to an early breakfast with Cardinal Maida and Bishop Quinn began the longest day of our pilgrimage thus far. The 7:00 breakfast and 7:30 departure got us on our feet and set a pace for the rest of the day to follow. Backpacks at their full, we loaded the train (just like the People Mover back home except without the elevated track) and waited as it slowly wound its way around the tracks to Marienfield. Arriving at the field with overcast skies we took out our ponchos and expected the worst. However, the rain managed to hold off for the remainder of the day, though the skies were still gray with only puddles of blue every now and then. We found our spots at the vigil site and managed to set up camp with border patrol (so people don’t take our spots). Relaxing for the rest of the day while other groups piled in, time moved on until it was nightfall. Pope Benedict XVI came at 8:30 and kicked off the vigil with prayer. After reciting prayers and listening to the words from the pope, it was time for bed. Covering ourselves with rain ponchos and crawling deep into our sleeping bags, we were soon ready to take on the weather.

Jon Bagazinski

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Friday, August 19, 2005

 

Day 8 - Catechesis session & the Chocolate Museum

We started out at the hotel with breakfast and then we went to a Catechesis session, where we celebrated Mass with the cardinal of Los Angeles. After the session we ate a quick lunch and went to the Chocolate Museum for a tour. The museum was really fun, and we even got to sample cocoa beans, and chocolate from a fountain.

Father Henry took the group to dinner tonight at an authentic German restaurant. The restaurant was on the Rhine River, a different part of Cologne than we have been to.

Tomorrow is our pilgrimage to Marienfield, the site for our overnight vigil and Mass with the Pope. We’re leaving early tomorrow after breakfast. We are back at the hotel for the night to pack for tomorrow which is going to be a busy day for us.

Dan Lehr

HAPPY 19^TH BIRTHDAY SHAWN WRATHALL!!!

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Thursday, August 18, 2005

 

Day 7 - Welcome Pope Benedict XVI !!!

So today was quite interesting! We went to the cathedral in Cologne, called the Dom (Dome) this morning. This church was ginormous!! It was gothic architecture and very dark. I loved every minute of being in there. There were relics from the three Magi located inside the church. They were beautiful! After the church, we went to find a spot to sit until we were able to go into the square in front of the Dom until the Pope arrived.

Laura and Reon found a spot, and we used our umbrellas to stake out our spot. We were sitting and playing UNO for about a half hour until suddenly we had to move. People were getting in line for the security tent to get into the square. This square was not anywhere near being big enough for all of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. We were in this line for three-four hours just to get to the security tent. Then we had to wait until the Pope arrived and gave his speech at 6 ish…we waited for another four hours in the heat and sun. It wasn’t as hot as Rome was but it still got frustrating. We laid down on the ground and used our umbrellas to shade the sun from our faces to avoid burns. It was all fine and dandy until about 6 pm when the security tent closed and they let EVERYONE in, I had people walking on top of me while I was trying to take a nap. Again, I will use the word interesting.

Finally, at about 7 pm, the Pope made his way into the Dom. The crowds, including myself, went crazy!! I was on Christine Ohman’s shoulders trying to get a decent picture of Pope Benedict. It was so hard, mainly due to all of the flags (from all the different countries) being waved insanely! But honestly, it was a blast…best moments of my life!! Just seeing the Pope sent a wave of relaxation over me, it really calmed me down and helped me stop stressing over people pushing me out of their way so they could see the Pope.

Afterwards we walked somewhere for dinner and it was a really cute little restaurant and most of us ate there. The food was amazing, and I was able to call home for the first time! Christine and I were also able to get Starbucks afterwards; it was a little bit of goodness!!

All in all, today was stressful but extremely rewarding! I look forward to the Vigil on Saturday, it should be awesome!!

Mary Durack

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

 

Day 6 - Catechesis session & Detroit Gathering

Today was yet another amazing day in Cologne. In the morning, we had a Catechesis session with English speaking people from many countries, especially Ireland. The church that we went to was another breath-taking, gothic style, German church. The session was led by Archbishop Martin of Dublin, Ireland. His message was centered on how in many western cultures, being a non-practicing Catholic occurs too often and can act as a form of Atheism. He continued to say that it was our job as the Catholic youth to continue the practice of active Catholicism onto the next generations, just as our parents have done for us. Once his speech was over, we had time to write down questions for the Archbishop and have them answered after a little time. I personally used the time to go meet people from Ireland, and I traded some Americana items for an Irish flag, which made me ecstatic. Archbishop Martin then answered any questions, and led us in mass. The mass was a little different than our usual masses in the states. An Irish mass had many instruments played in their music and really energizing hymns. After the mass celebration, our group returned to our hotel.

To get lunch, we split up into three groups. One group went to Subway and then shopping in a district that resembled Times Square, but a little smaller. Another group went to the Hardrock Café and to a different shopping area. The last group stayed back to catch up on rest. The groups all had a lot of fun doing their own thing. We eventually all met up at the hotel to prepare for our next activity.

Our evening event was for all pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Detroit in Cologne. We gathered in a theatre like hall to celebrate mass for the second time in a day. The mass was led by Bishop Quinn from Detroit. The Detroit crowd was so excited to be together and celebrating the Eucharist in Germany. People were getting overcome with excitement shouting “Detroit Basketball!!� and “Ain’t no party like a Detroit party!� It was so awesome to feel the energy of all the Detroit area youth acting as a whole congregation of Catholics. It was quite an experience.

Tomorrow, St. Colette is planning on visiting the Cologne Cathedral, or the Dom, which is the largest cathedral most of us have ever seen. It is supposed to be Cologne’s biggest attraction. In the afternoon, we will be waiting in the cathedral area for the arrival of Pope Benedict. We’re going to try and stake out the closest area possible. Seeing the new Pope is something that all of us have been greatly looking forward to. I’m sure that the event will prove to be moving to every pilgrim from St. Colette.

Alex Pietila

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

 

Day 5 - First Full day in Koln

Today was a very exciting day for everyone. The more time we all spend together the greater the sense of community between everyone. We started out our day with breakfast. Breakfast was surprisingly good. I am pretty sure that everyone is looking forward to breakfast because it is one of the only “normal� meals we will eat. After a nice breakfast we broke up into three different groups. The first group went to the Hard Rock Café in Cologne, the next went to the bank and did some shopping, and the last group went around Cologne to get acquainted with the city. I know that my group really enjoyed seeing the city. I think that when we finally went around to looking at the city was when we really felt the sense that World Youth Day had started. All the many groups of people singing their songs from the different countries were amazing.

After our few hours of exploring it was time to head to the opening ceremonies. This is where the people who had never been to World Youth Day really got a sense of the crowdedness. Heading to the Opening ceremony meant boarding a tram. We had to break up into three groups on the way there but we all made it to the stadium just fine. It is often when on a tram with other nationalities that we get to know them the best. Today a group of us even had an opportunity to sing, “If You’re Happy and You Know It,� with people from Italy.

The opening ceremony was described by many as breath taking. To open the ceremony they had a very moving procession of the many, many different flags of the different countries. It was very moving. They also had a very nice video that should some of the moments of John Paul II’s life. For those of us that went to previous World Youth Days, it meant a lot that such an inspirational man be remembered. After the opening ceremony, we had the opportunity to celebrate mass with the Cardinal of Cologne. We left mass immediately after it had ended to try and avoid large crowds of people trying to board the trams.

Boarding the trams deserves its own paragraph. The strategy of St. Colette’s is to divide into smaller groups, that way it is easier to make sure that everyone gets onto the trams as necessary. My group consisted of Megan C., Stephanie, Sam, Alex, Liz, Newill, Molly, Joe, and myself. We formed a chain as the tram approached. Before the tram had even arrived Newell says, “I am going to block the door while you get on.� The train arrived and that is when everything started. I proceeded toward the tram to board; however, masses of people started toward the tram as well. Immediately, Newell transformed into the “Incredible Hulk.� He blocked masses of people so that everyone in my group could get on. Once our group was on, Molly headed over to the other door and began flinging other St. Colette people onto the tram. It was really amazing to watch. I was unable to help do to the fact that my group was in a pile on top of me. Joe saved Father Henry from being left behind as well by pounding on the doors until Father was allowed in. After arriving back, we all enjoyed a sit down restaurant dinner before bed. Overall it was a very fun day!

Shawn Wrathell

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Monday, August 15, 2005

 

Day 3 & 4 - Assisi and Rhine River Cruise

On August 14, at 8 in the morning, we boarded a bus for the long ride from Rome to Cologne. After a few hours of beautiful landscapes and, for some, well needed sleep, we arrived in Assissi. We were given the opportunity of attending mass celebrated by Father Henry at the Basilica of St. Francis. Afterwards, those who wanted to visited his tomb which is located below the basilica. Though we were unable to take pictures, we had the opportunity to buy postcards after we had lunch in the city.

We boarded the buses once more to visit another church, the Basilica of St. Maria Degli Angeli, which perhaps had more meaning. When St. Francis was a young man, he was visited by a vision of God telling him to rebuild his churches. He at first took this literally and rebuilt many of the churches in his area that were falling into ruin. One of these churches was at the location of St. Maria. St. Maria was built around this church which is still in very good condition, and is 800 years old. This was also the place where St. Francis died, and a small shrine was built at the exact location.

Then, we got on the buses for a long night of driving. The trip to Cologne was supposed to take a total of about 17 hours, but at around 5:20 in the morning we experienced what could have been a major set back. One of the buses had to pull over at a rest area due to mechanical problems. We took this opportunity to eat breakfast, and then several of the teens played Red Rover with teens of other parishes that were traveling with us. We took the time to get to know them, and continue to do so now that we have arrived.

When we arrived in Germany, we went on a Rhine River Cruise. We cruised the Rhine River and enjoyed the scenery. There were many ancient castles as well as many farms and mountains.

We enjoyed the comforts of the buses for the last time when we got off of the cruise. The scenery in Germany is beautiful—most have never seen anything like it. The valleys and mountains are breath taking, and today we look forward to the opening ceremonies!

Kate Scheuber

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 AM  

Saturday, August 13, 2005

 

Day 2 - Second Day in Rome

Today was a truly amazing day in Rome! We started out our day by standing in line for approximately two hours to get into the Vatican Museum. We saw a bunch of fabulous paintings, tapestries and sculptures by famous artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. We had an amazing tour guide who gave us the history and some symbolic significance of many pieces. We also got to see the Sistine Chapel, which was so picturesque! We then got to go to St. Peter’s Basilica, which was, by far, the favorite church of our trip. Some of our amazing chaperones went and had pizza waiting for us when we left the Vatican, in St. Peter’s Square.

Our next experience was a Christian tour of Rome, which included the catacombs and the two other Basilicas. The catacombs were creepy; we saw the different types of tombs and the ways the tombs were marked. Santa Maria Magiore (St. Mary Major) and San Giovanni in Laterono (St. John’s in Lateran) were the other amazing churches we saw on our tour.

For dinner, we spent time in the Pantheon square. We had time to eat pizza, pasta and Panini, go souvenir shopping and explore the beautiful Pantheon. Afterwards, we got gelato (Italian ice cream) and walked to the Trevi Fountain. There we took pictures and threw coins over our shoulders for luck.

After our Trevi Fountain visit was when the real adventure began. A few members of the group decided to go to “Hard Rock Café Rome�, and the rest chose to go home to get some well needed shut eye. Unfortunately, because of the upcoming holiday, the Metro (subway), which we were heavily relying upon for transportation, was closed. Therefore, we were stuck trying to find buses that would take us back to our hotel. The group that wanted to go directly back wandered around and ended up having the pleasure of finding themselves at the top of the Spanish Steps. Then we waited forever at a bus stop, only to have a bus that was about a third of the size of your typical bus (only 8 total seats, with standing room that would have fit MAYBE 8 more seats) arrive. Since we did not know when the next bus would appear, we had to cram 25 of us onto the bus, in addition to the 4 people already onboard. We got to get VERY close to our fellow pilgrims during that 10 minute ride…We finally got back to our hotel after 2 more bus rides and a hike up the very steep hill at Villa Aurelia. We may have made it back after lights out, but we certainly slept well that night. J

Meagan Hanna

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Friday, August 12, 2005

 

Day 1 - Our Flight and Rome

As we entered St. Paul’s Square, we were excited and full of energy even though it was about twenty-four hours since we slept last. Just being in Rome recharges us and makes us forget the extreme jet-lag that threatens to overtake us. The square is one of the most awe inspiring things I’ve ever seen - the center piece being a giant statue of St. Paul with a sword. At the entrance to St. Paul’s basilica, we saw one of four holy doors that are open only during jubilee years which we sadly missed by 5 years. The four doors are on four different basilicas owned by the Vatican. St. Paul’s holds the burial site of St. Paul the greatest missionary of the Church. This was an amazing moment to know that I was mere feet from the resting site of such an important and holy person. Then our bus took us on a driving tour of Rome focusing on the historical sites of ancient Rome. This was amazing to see such grand and prolific buildings built by such an ancient empire. We saw everything from the Circus Maximus (the chariot racing site featured in the Charlton Heston classic Ben Hur) to the Fora Romana, the Roman Forum. The tour concluded at St. Peter’s Square where once again my jaw dropped, an event that occurred innumerable times throughout our stay in Rome. The square was huge, and I loved looking over some of the most important sites in Catholicism including the window that got so much air time on the cable news networks when John Paul II was on the verge of death and the balcony that Pope Benedict XVI appeared on for the first time. After dinner, the group split up into several groups who went to tour churches, shopping areas or my personal favorite, the Coliseum. Though we found out the hard way that exhibits close early in Rome, we still got the privilege of having a wonderful dinner in a moderately nice Roman restaurant.

Sean MacLennan

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 11:59 PM  

Monday, August 08, 2005

 

What to Bring List

Here is an updated list of what to bring with you to WYD. Please Pay close attention to this list while you are packing

What to bring list - St. Colette version.doc

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 8:51 PM    

To pack in your carry on:

Hi there,

I wanted to type out a list of items which should be packed in your carry on to ease our way to Rome and then immediately on the bus tour (we will depart the bus to go into a church where modest clothes are a must).

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOUR KNEES NEED TO BE COMPLETELY COVERED WHEN OUR PLANE TOUCHES DOWN. Planes are sometimes cold anyway. So, I am recommending that you go on the plane with clothing that completely covers your knees - guys probably pants or the zip off shorts/pants - because you may not be let in with shorts that just cover your knees. Also, please go on the plane with your shoulders COMPLETELY covered to avoid problems.

ALSO, be sure to wear your comfortable shoes on the plane so that you can walk around and be ok if your luggage is lost for a day or so.

To pack in your carry on:

• PASSPORT
• airline e-ticket confirmation
• change of clothes (if your luggage gets lost - your ok for a day or two)
• personal needs/toiletries (for same reason)
• sunscreen
• money
• valuables (credit cards, traveler's checks etc.)
• medication
• watch
• money belt
• personal size umbrella from St. Colette
• sunglasses
• hat/cap/visor
• light weight jacket
• travel pillow
• snack for plane
• camera & film
• luggage lock
• backpack (it is probably your carry on anyway?)
• earplugs
• cards etc. for the plane

PLEASE also refer to the brochure that you received in your white packet from Viktor about what not to bring in your carry on to avoid security problems (i.e. large safety pins, nail files, nail clippers etc.)

That is it for now.
Have a good day!

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 8:40 PM  

Friday, July 29, 2005

 

August 1st Meeting

Please be at St. Colette no later than 6pm this Monday, August 1 for the big info meeting at Sacred Heart Seminary. We will be back at 9:30pm. We will carpool to the Seminary. We may need a parent or two to drive because our parish vans will not hold everyone. Also, THAT day, at 4:30 we will be having a WYD work day for any of you that need to attend or are willing to lend an extra hand before we leave. :)

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 6:44 AM    

Help @ Masses

We REALLY need your help at a mass or two or three on August 6 or 7. We want the parish to support us in prayer while we are gone. We need to pass out prayer cards at each exit after every mass that weekend. Each pilgrim's name will be on at least 10 cards. Please let us know what mass(es) you or a family member can help with. We all need to take responsibility for this. :)

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 6:42 AM  

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

 

Golf Classic Photos

I have added a new Gallery to the photo section. This will give you a good idea as to what it will look like when we start updating with actual WYD Photos. So think of this as a test.

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 12:03 AM  

Monday, July 25, 2005

 

Things are Coming along!

Make sure you keep checking back for new updates.

See you on Aug 1st.

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 9:31 PM  

Sunday, July 24, 2005

 

Welcome to the WYD page

Keep checking everyday for updates

# <$I18NPostedByAuthorNickname$> @ 2:10 PM