Truro pilgrims in Poland for World Youth Day
A local group has arrived in Poland for what promises to be a spiritual and cultural adventure.
Seven members – five youths and two chaperones – of the Immaculate Conception Church in Truro left Friday to participate in World Youth Day events, running through July 31 in Krakow, Poland.
“It’s a way to reconnect my faith and just strengthen it,” said youth pilgrim Rita Vazquez, 16, of Truro, of the event, which is organized by the Catholic Church.
“And I’m going to be in a place where everyone around is going to be there for the same reason, which is to connect with God.”
Vazquez also looks forward to travelling to new cultural experiences on this, her first trip to Europe.
Liam Walsh, 16, Salmon River shares the same outlook.
“I hope to take away a good experience, obviously, meet a lot of good, positive people that are around our age, gathering
for the same reason,” he said.
And with approximately two million youth expected for the global event, Walsh hopes to gain from their views as well.
“It’s going to be a really unique experience. I think I’m going to cherish this,” he said.
“I hope to take away more positivity in my faith as well as just getting to experience it from other people’s viewpoints. Because people from all over the world are going to be there and they’ll have their own interpretations and views.”
Keith Gillis and Betty Chapman are chaperones. Gillis participated in World Youth Day three years ago in Rio de Janeiro
and says he’s involved to offer support and serve as a positive mentor for the youth.
“I think the kids today need someone to connect with,” he said. “It’s not easy being a youth.”
Cost of the trip – airfare, accommodations and the events – is about $3,600 each. The group has been fundraising for about two years and while they did come up a bit short for the total amount, they are hoping to make that up during the Fifth Annual Joe Walsh Memorial Golf Tournament, Aug. 12 at the Mountain Golf Club.