World Youth Day, July 29, 2002

Nornberg Catholic youth and young adults from all over the world are making a pilgrimage to Toronto, Canada, for the 17th World Youth Day July 23-28, 2002. Catholic Herald reporter, Julianne Nornberg, is traveling with and reporting on the Diocese of Madison group's pilgrimage. Regular updates from Catholic News Service and Nornberg will be posted on this page throughout the week.

Monday, July 29, 2002

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

	Articles removed: Because of a licensing agreement with Catholic News Service, The Catholic Herald may archive CNS news stories for only 30 days. Six CNS articles about World Youth Day have been removed from this page. Related stories were published in the July 18 and 25 and August 1, 2002 print versions of The Catholic Herald.

TORONTO, Canada -- Donning our backpacks and sleeping bags, we left our host parish July 27 and prepared for the five-mile pilgrimage to Downsview Lands, where we would join 500,000 pilgrims for the vigil with Pope John Paul II.

After prayer, we began the trek at 11:30 a.m., led by our Diocese of Madison banner. Gradually we joined groups from other countries, most of whom were singing, playing instruments, and praying.

Many of us walked along, singing the rosary.

At 12:45 p.m., we stopped for lunch, watching the flags and people of many different countries going by.

The path took us through woods and along a creek before completing the last leg of the journey along the street.

We reached Downsview Lands around 2:30 p.m., where thousands of pilgrims had already gathered. In specified sections on concrete and grass, we set up camp, rolling out our mats and sleeping bags.

Off in the distance towered a huge cross atop a large stage where the vigil and next morning's papal Mass would take place.

Around us flew the flags of various countries. I walked over to two men near an Italian flag and asked them about their World Youth Day experiences. They did not speak English, but went through great efforts to communicate with me. They called over one girl who served as interpreter, and soon I had a group of Italians surrounding me.

"World Youth Day is very exciting, " said Antonio Mangiacapre, who had traveled from Italy with 29 others. "We know Jesus Christ is living now (among all these people)."

The people in Canada are very gentle, he said. "They give us food, water, fruits. They are very good people."

He said about 30,000 Italians were in attendance at World Youth Day.

Marko Gaparic was one in a group of 550 from Croatia, including a Croatian archbishop.

"It brings us closer to see all the people from all over the world," he said, explaining the closeness they feel with other Christians.

"I appreciate all the people coming from such a long way," said Ida Yuen from Hong Kong. "We're really excited about the vigil and Mass with the pope."

A few of us went for a walk around the grounds, passing cardboard boxes that protected pilgrims from the sun.

We stopped by a sign that said, "Hungary loves you, Pope John Paul II," where three friendly girls were talking with passersby.

When asked what they would take home with them from World Youth Day, the girls said, "At home we are sure we will talk about it (with others)." They also already had been e-mailing the pope's messages back home.

Suddenly, an army of about 75 security guards began clearing the pathway of people and put up barricades. In about an hour and a half, the pope would pass through.

Meanwhile, back at the Diocese of Madison camp, youth offered a few comments on the live Way of the Cross, which had taken place the night before, and the pilgrimage.

"I've never seen a live Stations of the Cross, so it makes you think more," said Tom Kleist, St. Mary Parish, Portage.

Becci Klein of Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, said the Way of the Cross made it more real for her.

"We were walking to a celebration (on our pilgrimage) and Jesus was walking to his death," she said.

"It changed the way I think," said Jessica Szerlong of Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville. "It hit me: they aren't just stories. When you see the Stations of the Cross and do the walking, you think, 'Wow, he actually went through this.'"

The vigil with Pope John Paul II began around 7:30 p.m.

"Dear people of the Beatitudes, we come toward the final phase of your World Youth Day," said Pope John Paul II. "Together this World Youth Day, let us embrace a faith in Christ from whom shines a light."

The pope's voice was strong and commanding.

"I want you to be the voice of young people of the whole world, to express joys, disappointments, hopes; look to Jesus and repeat: Lord teach us how to pray."

As evening fell, pilgrims held candles that shone brightly in the gathering dusk under the large lit Cross on the stage.

Christ is the cornerstone of the church, the pope said. "You must be those builders. The future is in your hearts and hands."

After the vigil, we joined together in song, and people from other dioceses joined us also. All around us it was a night of celebration, with drums, dances, singing, and young people of the world uniting in Christ.

Monday, July 29, 2002

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

TORONTO, Canada -- God's wake-up call for us this morning, July 28, was a pouring rain that drenched most of us around 6 a.m.

With our tarps and raingear, we struggled to keep as dry as possible as we waited for the 9:30 a.m. Mass with Pope John Paul II.

Cheers rose up from the crowd as the huge TV screens showed the pope's helicopter approaching.

Mass began, and as the "Alleluia" before the Gospel was sung, the rain stopped and the sun shone through the clouds.

"Listen to the voice of Jesus in the voice of your hearts," said the pope.

"Why have you come together here from all parts of the world? To say in your hearts, 'Lord, to whom shall we go?' You have the words of eternal life."

Yet, Jesus has the words of eternal life, he said. The world needs youth to be salt of the earth and light of the world, he said.

Several times, youth began to chant, "John Paul II, we love you!" The immense respect the young people had for the Father transcended all cultural differences and rose up in one voice from the crowd.

"The pope really related well to the youth," said Jennifer Topel of St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson. "It made me realize that faith can be multicultural. The pope gives us strength by his example."

"It was neat seeing the pope," said Tony Vandescheuren of St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison. "It was very inspirational."

"It's amazing this many people gather for a common cause," said Jason Albertz of St. Nicholas Parish near Appleton. It's important for people to see kids showing up and doing something positive to dispel possible negative images people have regarding youth, he said. "It's important they see these things also," he said.

"It was cool to see the pope and the faith he has in youth," said Abby Vandescheuren of St. Maria Goretti, Madison." He has a lot of hope for us. That's inspiring, too, to be asked by the pope to spread the Gospel."

Friday, July 26, 2002

	Praying during the papal welcoming ceremony are Stephanie Heyroth, left, of St. Olaf Parish, DeForest, and Jennifer Delvaux of St. Paul's University Catholic Center, Madison. (Julianne Nornberg photo)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

TORONTO, Canada -- The huge crowd cheered wildly as Pope John Paul II's helicopter came into view and landed on the shore of Lake Ontario July 25.

He hadn't even gotten off the helicopter, but he'd already made a connection with the hundreds of thousands of young people who awaited his arrival during the papal welcoming ceremony at Exhibition Place. It was evident in the way the young people scrambled to get near the fenced-off path on which the pope would travel in the Popemobile through the crowds.

It was evident in the way people climbed on each other's shoulders, craned their necks, and lifted up their cameras in the hopes of getting a glimpse of the Holy Father with their own eyes. It was evident in the joyous cheers of the youth who watched with gleaming eyes the large screens that showed the Popemobile making its way into Exhibition Place.

It was evident in the intense emotion that suddenly took hold of my own heart.

"I look at you with great affection," said Pope John Paul II to the young people. "I have heard your joys, your cries, your shouts, your songs, and I have felt the deep longing within your hearts: You want to be happy."

The ceremony was a beautiful one, and youth were visibly touched by the Holy Father's presence.

"It was the best experience of my life," said Alex Ottman of St. Andrew Parish, Verona. "I feel like a new person."

"To see all these people gathered here for this one man is incredible," said Michelle Henning of St. Jude Parish, Beloit.

"It was very exciting and energizing," said Fr. Randy Budnar, Hollandale. "It helps you realize the importance of the pope as the head and symbol of unity of our church. When you come, you see it."

"It was an overwhelming experience to see the Holy Father and being surrounded by thousands of young people that have such energy about their faith. The pope has such hope for the young people," said Christy Hoffman, director of youth ministry at Holy Mother of Consolation Parish, Oregon.

Ashlie Riskey of St. Jude Parish, Beloit, was struck by being surrounded by people her age of various countries. "You begin to realize that when I am in church on Sunday, they are doing the same thing in their home town."

Anne Jaspers of St. Paul's University Catholic Center said the experience was profound. "When he started talking about the beatitudes, I felt like it was God talking," she said.

Greg Blatz, director of religious education at St. Andrew Parish, Verona, said, "You could see him feeding off of the crowd and they fed off of him."

"This has been the best experience in my life," said Rafael Armando Jimenez Jaime of the Diocese of Aguascalientes, Mexico.

"The time here I have spent is amazing," said Kelly Cadilla of the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C. "Having people here from all over the world with the same faith is what makes it so incredible. I see the kingdom of God here - he is very present. Experiences like this give us more motivation to keep our lights shining bright and be lights to the world."

Anna Smith of the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., said, "It was touching to see the pope that close me- I was moved to tears."

"It was an awesome feeling to be in his presence. It is something I will never forget," said Michael Yank of St. Anthony Parish, Milwaukee, who had accompanied a United States delegation of about 15 young men involved in the Schoenstatt movement. A group of young men from the Schoenstatt Milwaukee '02 traveled to World Youth Day in a van.

He said World Youth Day has been a grace-filled experience. It offers a chance to meet great people, he said, commenting that he has had a chance to talk with others from all over the world in the Schoenstatt movement.

"Tears came to my eyes when I saw the Holy Father so dedicated to the youth of the world," said Matthew Fenelon of St. Anthony Parish, Milwaukee. About World Youth Day, Fenelon said, "This is something people dream of. Here I am with hundreds of thousands of people to see the Holy Father. I did not expect it to be as great as this."

Fenelon said the experience encourages him to openly express his faith.

"It's so incredible to see him so lively and excited about us," said John Paul Mitchell of St. Josephat Basilica, Milwaukee. He traveled with a group of about 20 pilgrims from Milwaukee and musician Erin Berghouse.

Katherine Valentyn of Holy Cross Parish, Kaukauna, in the Diocese of Green Bay, attended World Youth Day with a group from Nicaragua. "I'm seeing the activities through the eyes of a Third World country. I feel like I'm getting a small glimpse of the world. It's wonderful to meet people from all over the world."

"It's great to see the world coming together for the same cause," said Nina Lund of St. Mary Parish, Viroqua, in the Diocese of La Crosse.

"I've always been impressed with the fact that despite the pope's age, he keeps his mission going and is determined to see his message delivered," said Dennis Garofolo of River Falls in the Diocese of Superior (who traveled with the Diocese of Madison group).

"I never thought I'd see the pope," said Angela Thomley of St. Bridget Parish, River Falls, in the Diocese of Superior. To be that close and to feel the strength of the crowd was very powerful, she said.

Thursday, July 25, 2002

	Pilgrims from the Diocese of Madison were welcomed warmly by their host parish, St. John Fisher Parish in Brampton, Ontario, a suburb west of Toronto. (Julianne Nornberg photo)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

TORONTO, Canada -- From the moment we entered our host parish, St. John Fisher Parish in Brampton, an Ontario suburb west of Toronto, we have been showered with unending hospitality.

As the Diocese of Madison buses pulled into the parish parking lot late July 23, we cheered as we read the large banner above the church entrance: "Welcome pilgrims from Madison, Wisconsin to St. John Fisher Parish, World Youth Day 2002, July 23^rd through July 28^th."

After the Diocese of Madison group entered the parish hall singing to the host families who were waiting for us, Fr. Alfred Grima, pastor of St. John Fisher Parish welcomed us.

"We are so happy to have you here," he said.

Ben Weisse, associate director of the Diocese of Madison's Office of Religious Education and coordinator of the group's pilgrimage, thanked the pastor and host families.

"Thank you for your wonderful generosity and hospitality," said Weisse.

Pilgrims were then paired off with host families, who welcomed us literally with open arms.

My husband, Mark, and I were paired with Veronica and Davis Grant, a couple originally from Trinidad who have been married 34 years and have been parishioners at St. John Fisher Parish approximately 30 years.

They welcomed us warmly into their beautiful home and showed us to the comfortable room that would be ours for the next few days. They introduced us to one of their two sons, Colin, who graciously stayed up late to help me try to send a World Youth Day story and photo back to the Madison office for The Catholic Herald Online.

We awoke this morning, July 24, to share a bountiful breakfast prepared by Veronica, who dropped us off at the parish hall. There we were met by St. John Fisher parishioners, who greeted the Diocese of Madison pilgrims as they gathered.

Filling a long table were stacks of snacks to take with us for the day.

"The way you kids came in last night (singing) was just fantastic," said a woman who handed me a plastic bag to store my snacks. She smiled kindly and seemed so excited to have us there.

The pilgrims themselves had stories to share - they could not say enough for the host families' hospitality.

"My host family was very open and welcoming," said Jeff Mesch of St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison. "They made us chicken noodle soup and we talked with them about their heritage." His host dad is from Scotland and his host mom is from Trinidad.

The parish hospitality has been overwhelmingly wonderful, said Anne Brock of St. Ignatius Parish, Mount Horeb. "Not only have they taken us in, but they give us food and open their house to us," she said. "They are very open and we've even met their cousins and relatives."

"Did you feel blessed last night?" chaplain from St. Paul University Catholic Center, Faye Darnall, asked the pilgrims on the bus in the morning.

"YES!" shouted the young adults enthusiastically.

The parish hospitality seemed to fuel the pilgrims' energy.

Thursday, July 25, 2002

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

TORONTO, Canada -- On Wednesday, July 24, dropped off by their host families with whom they spent the night, the Diocese of Madison pilgrims gathered in St. John Fisher Parish hall.

After a group photo was taken by a local newspaper, we boarded the buses and headed to Exhibition Place. There, we gathered as a group for get-to-know-you activities and morning praise and prayer.

Then, led by a tall Diocese of Madison banner, we headed to a morning catechesis session by Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The theme of the day was "You are the salt of the earth."

"When I was asked to share with you a catechesis session, I asked a nurse what uses there are for salt (when dealing with a sick person). She said in the emergency room, we give them a saline solution. I said to myself, 'Our young people are a saline solution for today's world,'" said Gregory.

"Every person here must be a bit salty. You must be those who reveal Jesus to the world in which we live," he said. "Our knowledge of Jesus Christ gives us the hope to witness his truth to an otherwise insipid world."

"I loved the wide array of analogies he used to illustrate the salt of the earth theme," said Ryan Nichols of St. Paul's University Catholic Center. "Christ takes away our tastelessness in more ways than one."

After Gregory's address, Bishop William H. Bullock, Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz, and Fr. Nicholas Okere greeted youth in the Diocese of Madison group.

"God bless you," said Bullock. "We'll see you tonight."

Lunch followed (lines seemed to be much shorter today!), and then the group attended "A Forum on the Human Person," with talks by George Weigel, author of a recent biography on Pope John Paul II, and Robert Sirico, president of Acton Institute.

Many in the group then listened to Tony Melendez, a man from Nicaragua who was born without arms and plays the guitar with his feet.

We returned to St. John Fisher Parish, where young adults received the Sacrament of Reconciliation from Diocese of Madison pilgrim priests, including Bullock and Wirz.

Bullock presided at an 8 p.m. Mass, which was attended by pilgrims, host families, and some World Youth Day pilgrims from surrounding parishes. The church was filled.

Concelebrating the Mass were 11 priests, including the pastor and associate pastor of St. John Fisher Parish and Diocese of Madison pilgrims such as Wirz, Okere, Msgr. Gerard Healy, Fr. Tait Schroeder, Fr. Randy Timmerman, Fr. Randy Budnar, Schoenstatt Fr. Robert DeCock, and Deacon Brad Pelzel of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.

In his homily, Bullock talked about our value systems and beliefs.

"Values, feelings, and beliefs add up to who we are: we make decisions out of those beliefs and values," said Bullock. "All during this week you are getting more and more approached by those around you to be in touch with your decisions and beliefs. You are the sum total of all those decisions."

He emphasized the importance of "Here I am Lord; I have come to do your will."

"These words are true: God loves you. He knows all about you. He knows your hidden pains and rejections. He knows all you go through. He knows the sins. He knows your strengths and weaknesses," he said. "God loves you right now with a love beyond all telling.

"You might be feeling, 'Hey, I'm a nobody,' but then you're in good company," he said, pointing out people like Josiah, who began ruling as a king at age seven; and Jeremiah, Mary, and Jesus, who came from obscure towns.

Bullock shared how, during a visit with Pope John Paul II, he was overwhelmed.

"I said to the Holy Father, 'You have to excuse me. I'm just a simple farm boy and here I am in the presence of the pope.' He said, 'And I am a simple peasant from Poland and God wanted to use both of us.'"

That is something Bullock will never forget, and it still brings tears to his eyes.

"God has a plan for your life," he said. "The Lord is calling you to deepen your faith and remain unshaken in it."

Bullock pointed out how, after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, "as a nation we stood up and said, 'We are not afraid.'"

The Holy Father told youth Tuesday that "You must be our peacemakers," said Bullock.

"In this year, 2002, God is about to do something great in Toronto. A farmer named Jesus is sowing his seeds of love," he said. "God is taking root in your heart. My prayer is that you let it yield 100-fold."

After Communion, the St. John Fisher Youth Choir sang a special "Welcome to the Family" song. Also providing music during Mass were Diocese of Madison pilgrims, who invited people to join in a few more songs after Mass. The church reverberated with the energy of the young people who were clapping and singing out with all their hearts - it was a true celebration.

Afterward, everyone was invited to the parish hall for a reception. It was a joyful way to end the day.

Wednesday, July 24, 2002

	Taking part in the July 23 Opening Mass are, from left: Alyssa Engelberger of St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge, and Alison Shepard of St. Ann Parish, Stoughton. (Julianne Nornberg photo)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

TORONTO, Canada -- After a hearty breakfast at the Days Inn Hotel in London, Ontario, the Diocese of Madison World Youth Day pilgrims boarded the buses and left at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, for Toronto.

On the St. Paul University Catholic Center bus, Fr. Randy Timmerman offered a few words about pilgrimage. Focusing on solitude, Scripture, and silence should be part of our pilgrimage, he said. "This is a journey in which God continues to reveal himself to us."

We will be meeting people of different customs and cultures, he reminded us. "I invite you to be very open. May God continue to bless and guide our pilgrimage together."

After registering at the International Centre in Mississauga and receiving our meal tickets, World Youth Day passes, and a knapsack including guides, maps, bandanas, and a rosary, we arrived in Toronto around 1 p.m.

Traveling down the streets of Toronto, we sang praise and worship songs and offered prayers.

"We thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to be here in Toronto and share our faith with so many other Catholics," said Scott Hackl, parishioner of St. Paul University Catholic Center. "Let us step out and do what you're calling us to do."

"This is our time," Hackl told the youth. "Share it now!"

At last reaching Exhibition Place where the World Youth Day events were taking place, the three Diocese of Madison bus groups joined up in one big group to pray before heading off in separate directions.

"May our day be safe, may we be open to your presence, and may we be strengthened as the body of Christ," prayed Timmerman before the group joined hands while reciting the "Our Father."

To get into Exhibition Place, we had to pass through two security checkpoints at which security guards used metal detectors and inspected our bags.

After that, we split up into groups of six in order to pick up our lunches. At this point it was about 2:45 p.m. One person from each group was to hand in the meal tickets for all six people and collect the meals for everyone in the group. I somehow became the designated pick-up person for my group. Little did I know that I would not see my group for another hour and a half!

After we found out where to pick up the meals, I fought through crowds of singing and dancing pilgrims to get to a gate at which meal tickets were collected. Once I made it past this gate, I joined a crowd of people waiting in line - one that was about 10 people wide and must have extended about two blocks.

Around me I met a young man from Puerto Rico, another from England, and heard young women speaking French not far away. Everyone was friendly and patient, and as one man pointed out, seemed to have attitudes of pilgrims, not tourists. What a relief!

I did meet two familiar faces in the crowd and together we collected our lunches of granola bars, apples, and cole slaw (they had run out of tuna at this point) and brought them to our waiting (and hungry!) groups.

Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic of Toronto presided at the Opening Mass, which was held at Exhibition Place. What a celebration it was! Colorful flags and banners representing countries from all over the world littered the air.

There were people everywhere. Groups linked hands to stay together as they moved from place to place, and most groups identified themselves with a banner, bandana, or T-shirt. Parts of the Mass were given in different languages, and radio stations offered simultaneous translations in four different languages.

Despite the huge numbers in the crowd, a calm settled over the pilgrims, whose sense of devotion to God was palpable.

"Mass was awesome," said Rebecca Otte, parishioner of St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo. "It was amazing to see so many people so excited and to know that we're all here for the same purpose: to praise God and be strengthened in our faith."

Karen Schultz of St. Paul University Catholic Center said she loved hearing the intentions given in different languages. "It was very beautiful," she said.

Back on the bus at 8:20 p.m., we headed to St. John Fisher Parish in Brampton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. After reciting the rosary on the bus, we arrived at the parish at 9 p.m., where we received an incredibly warm welcome from the pastor and the host families.

More than 100 families had originally volunteered to host us! Their hospitality is greatly appreciated. We were paired with families and will spend the next few nights in their homes.

Tuesday, July 23, 2002

	On their way to Canada, Sarah Schneider and James Carrano lead pilgrims in song on the bus with parishioners from St. Paul's University Catholic Center, Madison. (Julianne Nornberg photo)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

LONDON, Ontario -- Thunderstorms and pouring rain didn't dampen the spirits of the nearly 115 youth and young adults from the Diocese of Madison who began their pilgrimage to Toronto, Canada, for World Youth Day 2002 early Monday morning, July 22.

Bishop William H. Bullock and Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz, who would leave on a flight to Toronto later that day, sent off the pilgrims leaving in two buses from the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison at 7:35 a.m. Another bus full of pilgrims left from St. Ann Parish in Stoughton.

With their backpacks stowed and their passports in hand, the young adults' excitement was apparent. This was especially true on the bus for parishioners of St. Paul's University Catholic Center in Madison, on which my husband, Mark, and I were passengers.

"Gracious God, we come before you in union with pilgrims throughout the world," said Fr. Randy Timmerman, pastor of St. Paul's, who led the youth in prayer on the bus. "We ask your blessings. We pray for your spirit of safety, your spirit of laughter and joy. We ask your angels to accompany us, guard us, and walk with us."

St. Paul's Chaplain Faye Darnall and Jeff Mesch attended to details such as roll call and times for re-boarding the bus. Each pilgrim was given a World Youth Day 2002 T-shirt with a special "Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, USA" design on the back.

At 9 a.m. the three buses met in Belvidere, Ill., for a short break. We continued on our way at 9:35 a.m., with James Carrano and Sarah Schneider leading the bus in song. We passed through Chicago around 11 a.m. and stopped in Paw Paw, Mich., for lunch at 1:30 p.m. (central time), joining up with the other buses once more.

The bus ride itself was one of camaraderie, filled with singing, talking, and games that encouraged people to interact with one another, including a Bible trivia game made up on the spot. There was time for reading and napping as well as watching movies, including a documentary on Pope John Paul II.

Among the staff from St. Paul's on the bus was Schoenstatt Fr. Robert DeCock, parochial vicar. "It's exciting to be a part of the bigger picture," he said about attending World Youth Day. "It's great to have a common destiny with so many other Christian believers from throughout the world."

Passengers Paul Kachelmeier and Cassie Carbon agreed. "The main reason for going is to be part of a large international gathering that is showing our common faith," said Kachelmeier. "Each of us is becoming a witness: Those attending are witnessing to their faith."

"What I'm hoping for is that the Holy Father will have insight on how we as Catholics can be Christ to others in the world," said Carbon.

After a quick inspection of passports and documentation at customs, we crossed the Canadian boarder at Port Huron, Mich., around 7 p.m. (6 p.m. central time). Just past the boarder, pilgrims from all three buses took a break to change currency and pose for pictures in front of the "Welcome to Ontario" sign. At last we were in Canada!

Just before reaching our destination at 8:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. central time) - the Days Inn in London, Ontario, a few hours outside of Toronto - we ended with evening prayer.

Pilgrims broke up into groups to find dinner on their own before returning as a large group to end the day with 10:30 p.m. night prayer, during which we sang out our hearts in the hotel lobby.

What an awesome and energetic start to a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage!

Monday, July 22, 2002

	Bishop William H. Bullock of Madison prays with and blesses young adults from the Madison Diocese as they begin their journey aboard one of the buses bound for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada. (Pam Payne photo)

By Julianne Nornberg
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Among those planning to attend World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada, the excitement was building in the last few days before the pilgrimage.

Around 7 a.m. on July 22, nearly 115 people from the Diocese of Madison boarded three buses: two that left from the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison and one that left from St. Ann Parish in Stoughton.

Bishop William H. Bullock and Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz saw the pilgrims off and would be flying to Toronto themselves to join the pilgrims the next day.

Powerful experience

In the Diocese of Madison, new and veteran pilgrims alike, including this writer and her husband, Mark Nornberg, felt World Youth Day would be a powerful event.

"In our everyday lives, we experience God in small ways. In this huge gathering, we'll see God's power," said Mary Otte, 21, parishioner of St. Joseph Parish, Waterloo. "It will be a great chance to grow and learn about our Catholic faith."

Being surrounded by other young Catholics from all over the world will help pilgrims build each other up, said Otte, who said she is most looking forward to meeting other Catholics of other cultures.

Making the pilgrimage with Otte are her twin sister, Becky, and her younger sister, Candace, 19.

"I'm unsure what to expect because I've never been to anything so huge," said Candace. But gaining a better understanding of her faith is something she hopes to gain from the pilgrimage.

Seeing people from all over the world gathering and having so much in common will certainly be a powerful experience, Candace said.

"It's amazing that people come so far," she said, commenting that she looks forward to meeting new people.

Getting excited

"We're getting more excited about it," admitted Christina Kenney, a chaperone pilgrim in her early 30s from St. Mary Parish, Fennimore, who will attend World Youth Day with her husband, Kevin.

Kenney said highlights of the pilgrimage will be to see Pope John Paul II and to talk with people from around the world.

"What I am expecting is that I will come away with renewed energy for youth in church in general and at St. Mary Parish," she said.

New perspectives

Susan Swanke, 18, parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona, said she hopes to come away from World Youth Day with new friendships and a stronger faith.

Karen Greiber, a young adult from Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish of Sun Prairie, looks forward to meeting other people her age who have a deep faith life. "It will be an incredible experience," she said.

"The coolest thing will be to see God's love in action," said Chris Topel, 21, parishioner at St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson. He said receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and being able to talk with the attending priests and bishops will be very important, too.

"I'm hoping to gain a global perspective on the church," said David Carrano, a young adult from St. Paul's University Catholic Center in Madison. "We spend a lot of time trying to build up the church, but this is a time to celebrate more in the body itself and get a glimpse of the promise of the future with so many people gathered together."

Strengthening faith

The Diocese of Madison group is one of several groups from Wisconsin attending World Youth Day, including groups from the Diocese of Green Bay, La Crosse, Superior, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

A pilgrim from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will attend World Youth Day in a group of 84 people sponsored by the Racine Dominicans. Twenty-year-old Julieane Stommel of St. John Parish in Rubicon, who attended World Youth Day in Rome in 2000, is looking forward to seeing the pope again.

When asked how World Youth Day might change her, Stommel said, "The last World Youth Day made me more active in my parish and community. This one might make me do more. It will change me in some way and somehow."

Wendy Mooney and her daughter Jenalee, parishioners of St. Paul Parish in Genesse Depot, are also a part of the group traveling with the Racine Dominicans. They both hope spiritual enlightenment will be one result of making the pilgrimage.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the pope and being enlightened by the whole trip," said Jenalee, who is a sophomore in high school. "I want to get a little more focused and I want to reach out to God during this event."

Bringing people together

Joel Kozlowski, 30, from St. Gregory the Great Parish in Milwaukee, is attending World Youth Day 2002 with a group of 33 people from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. One who makes retreats two or three times a year, Kozlowski attended World Youth Day in Denver and Paris and went on a pilgrimage to Rome.

World Youth Day 2002 will offer a perspective of "being united in faith," he said. It gives us "a sense that Christ is present with us and it brings so many people together nation to nation."

This pilgrimage gives Catholics a chance to unify and give thanks, he said, commenting that he looks forward to being present with people that respect the diversity of the church.

"Here we're coming to celebrate our common identity and make us one," he said. "This is special because it's a pilgrimage: a walk together in a common faith that makes a poignant statement to people saying that we stand together."

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