Only 18 Days to Go!

Here we are, officially in the teens.

Don't forget about the final meeting on August 7. We will all attend Mass together and be blessed for our journey at the 10:30 Mass. Then we will have a short meeting in the music room.

For all those not traveling to Europe with us, watch this blog for updates from the pilgrimage. We hope to have at least daily posts and possibly Twitter updates (depending on wi-fi and so forth). You can follow us through my Twitter at: JenYthMin.

~Jen

Blending in at WYD

The best way to blend in at WYD is to look for the craziest, most red-white-and-blue, things that you can find. Everyone will have their nation's flag, university shirts, sports jerseys and more that they will be showing off and some items will be for trading.

With Memorial Day just past and 4th of July around the corner, now is the perfect time to keep an eye out for inexpensive items you can pick up to wear or trade at WYD.

The dollar bins at Target, Michael's, JoAnn's, and other similar stores will have flags, bandanas, etc that you can purchase. Waiting until after July 4th may mean you find some great steals, but the selection decreases dramatically and you may miss out.

And...don't forget...all the paperwork is due back on July 1st!!!

This is a busy weekend in Rome - Saturday is the beatification of Pope John Paull II, whom we have to thank for the creation of World Youth Day.

Should you have a few moments, take some time to read the statements and homilies from Pope John Paul II at various WYDs.

2008 in Sydney

2005 in Koln

2002 in Toronto

2000 in Rome

or the very first

"Young people expect a difficult, but at the same time absorbing task: to change the underlying mechanisms, that promote selfishness and opression in the relationships between nations, an to create new structures that aim for truth, solidarity and peace."

-Pope John Paul II in his Easter message 1985,

together with the announcement to establish

World Youth Day as a permanent event

It is here!

The official page for the World Youth Day 2011 in Spain is finally available in English.

Check it out!

Payment Schedulde

Payments are to be made according to this schedule:

1. November 15 - Deposit of $300 due with Registration
2. December 1 - $425
3. March 1, 2010 - $635
4. July 1, 2010 - $845
5. October 1, 2010 - $845
6. December 1, 2010 - $845
7. March 1, 2011 - $323

Remember that all payments are to be made out to Quest Travel Group. Credit card payments may be available, but you will need to speak with Jen in advance.

Prayer

Part of a pilgrimage is prayer. Praying for WYD 2011 starts now.

Here's the first official prayer for WYD 2011.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

For those who want a taste of what to expect, here's a special video from 2008 WYD in Sydney.

Welcome!

Here we are, still over two years from leaving on our pilgrimage, but it isn't too early for us to plan. In fact we have an informational meeting in the school music room on Monday, July 13. Registration for the trip will open at that point. Keep checking here, I will post information on all the trip details, payments, and more.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

~Jen