April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
KRAKOW, POLAND
Local Catholics eager for World Youth Day
Local Catholics eager for World Youth Day
"I'm nervous about leaving home and going so far away," said her twin sister, Anna. But "I think it's going to be a great experience."
The two teens from St. Pius X parish in Loudonville were discussing their July 25-31 trip to Krakow, Poland, to participate in World Youth Day.
Sara and Anna will be traveling with a group of seven people from St. Pius as part of a pilgrimage sponsored by the Albany Diocese. The diocesan group of 15 pilgrims will include Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger and seminarian Matthew Houle, who writes for The Evangelist's "Seminarian's Diary" column. (Read past columns at www.evangelist.org.)
Also on the diocesan pilgrimage will be young people and adults from parishes such as St. John the Baptist, Greenville, and alumni of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany and Catholic Central High School in Troy, as well as a current student at The University at Albany.
Parishioners of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph's in Rensselaer and St. Adalbert's in Schenectady are planning to travel to World Youth Day, too.
First time
Matt Flanagan, who helped organize the trip for St. Pius, will be going to Poland as well. He believes he will get as much out of the experience as the teenage pilgrims.
"I think we are all equally excited," the 47-year-old remarked. "The big thing for me is just giving them the opportunity to experience this."
The trip is coming along with a lot of new experiences for the youths -- including a language barrier. None of the Catholics who spoke with The Evangelist speak a word of Polish.
Jonathan Memole isn't too concerned, having heard that many people in Poland speak English. A parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Troy, Mr. Memole told The Evangelist he's excited to describe his experiences to others afterward.
"There's a sense that we're going to leave with some sort of direction, what we're being called to do," he said. "I'm looking forward to that."
Jonathan found out about the trip through the local chapter of Frassati, a group for young adults Catholics focused on faith, prayer and service.
For Anna, the most exciting part of the trip will be the masses, not necessarily the Masses. "It's going to prove to me that our Church is really a global Church."
All the World Youth Day pilgrims are excited to experience Polish food. Sara and Anna, who are of Polish heritage, said they're looking forward to having the kind of meals they make at home on special occasions.
Packing problems
The travelers are starting to think about what they'll pack. Most have cameras on their list, but said they're hoping to pack light. Mr. Flanagan isn't even planning on bringing a sleeping bag for their overnight pilgrimage.
That's a source of anxiety for Alayna Colbert, a 16-year-old from St. Pius parish.
"I haven't even camped" before, she explained, noting that she recently bought a thermal sleeping bag.
The women heading to World Youth Day have been warned that Polish dress tends to be much more conservative than American attire. "When you're entering the church, they want you to be respectful," noted Sara, saying she's been encouraged to pack long skirts and shirts that cover her shoulders.
That may be an interesting experience in itself: The warm Polish summers tend to have high humidity.
Students' thoughts
For Erin Mackey, a rising senior at Catholic Central High School in Troy and a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa, the pilgrimage will be the best birthday party she could ask for: She'll celebrate her 18th birthday during the trip, on July 27.
This isn't Erin's first time abroad; she went on a trip through People to People Ambassador Program, which helps students in U.S. middle and high schools travel to foreign countries.
During that trip, Erin was able to meet people from many countries. She's excited to do the same in Poland.
"I like to try new things," she told The Evangelist.
Amid the excitement, there will also be a sobering time: While in Poland, the pilgrims will go to the former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz.
"It's hard, sometimes, for the youth of the world to really connect with those things," Sara said, reflecting on the place where at least 1.1 million Jews died during World War II. "It's important to remember that history does repeat itself."[[In-content Ad]]
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