World
Youth Day - Cologne 2005
In August eight youths
from our parish, accompanied by three adults, left for
Cologne, Germany, to take part in World Youth Days 2005.
They were part of a group of approximately 40 young people
from our diocese who undertook this spiritual pilgrimage for
an experience of a lifetime. Below are the thoughts shared
by two of them with the parish upon their return.
Well, we’re back! It’s hard to believe that after planning
and preparing for so long, our pilgrimage to World Youth Day
in Köln, Germany, has come and gone.
There are plenty of stories to tell: funny ones and ones
that are funny only now. Stories about crowded trains and
long lunch lines; about porta-potties in desperate need of
cleaning and about passports that were found in the nick of
time; stories about real-life angels who gave us directions,
translated menus into English for us, and provided us with
gravol. We could describe to you the intricacies of
Cathedral architecture or our proximity to the Pope. Or how
we discovered just how much Canadians are appreciated in the
world with our proof being how often we were serenaded with
cheers for Canada and stopped so that people could have
their pictures taken with us.
But although all these things made the trip memorable, they
aren’t what the trip was about. World Youth Days touch
people in different ways. Some discover vocations and some
experience a renewal of love for the Catholic Church.
As for
myself, I believe that I am only beginning to discover the
fruits in my life that have come out of World Youth Day
Köln.
   
One thing that really hit home was the reality and
solidarity of a universal church. We were able to meet
people from all walks of life from all across the globe who,
at times, had no idea what we were saying, but were united
with us by common beliefs. Some traveled great distances
and worked so hard to get here and were real witnesses to
us.
For myself, this pilgrimage has had a very special
significance, as it was a last chance to spend a lot of time
with some of the young people of this parish before I leave
to attend a Catholic Bible School in Alberta next week.
This thought accompanied me throughout the trip and would
lead, periodically, to random bursts of hugging.
Another thought was how blessed we were and are. The trip
would not have been possible without the financial and
spiritual support that this parish community has continued
to pour out upon the pilgrims. I know that my own life
would not be what it is today without this parish family,
which has taught me and loved me so much.
I pray that you will continue to support the young people in
this parish especially those who will be preparing for
Sydney, Australia in 2008.
Thank you and God bless.
   
I would
like to once more note our thankfulness for your support,
both prayerful and financial. Every dime was worth it, and
your presence was felt, especially at the final ceremonies.
This pilgrimage allowed us to witness the age and true
grandeur of the Catholic church (especially when climbing up
485 steps to reach the top of the Cologne Cathedral Bell
Tower). Catholicism is not just one 50-year-old brick
church, one faithful parish. It is a world covered with
people celebrating our true God and seeking him each day.
We went and paid our tributes to the representative of
Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI. We visited the relics of the Magi,
the first three men to seek Jesus and praise him as a babe.
These three kings traveled through many lands, following the
star to our Lord, and to meet with Mary and Joseph, the holy
family, as well. We came across an ocean, with the intent
of following the example of our Pope, to worship Jesus in
the holy Eucharist, uniting with our own holy family, 1.6
million people seeking the Lord.
This was a truly amazing experience for all of the pilgrims.
   
And now we return home to our parish, with five more days
until we leave again, to seek God's will in our education of
the church. We come back from our journey, and we remember
all of the fun and difficult times we have had in the last
few years, growing up here. We remember the unity in this
church that helped us grow through our stumbling. The
spiritual blessings we received praising God with you in
different choirs and at the Edge, these will always be
remembered, these will bring us back here again. I believe
we will see you in the Church hall for cookies after mass.
Thank
you.
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