Youngstown diocese to stage Youth Day events

The weekend in Ohio is an alternative to international gathering in Australia.

YOUNGSTOWN — “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) will be the theme for a two-day event July 19-20 for high school students and young adults (ages 18-30) in Sidney, Ohio. The theme is shared with an international gathering of youth and young adults in Sydney, Australia, called “World Youth Day,” which culminates the same weekend.

Pope John Paul II began these international gatherings in 1984. Since then, the festivals have been in Argentina (’87), Spain (’89), Poland, (’91), U.S. (Denver ’93), Philippines (’95), France (’97), Italy (’00), Canada (’02) and Germany (’05). Youth from more than 150 countries participate in the World Youth Day Gatherings.

The Diocese of Youngstown sent delegations to the 2002 and 2005 gatherings. The cost and time commitment for the pilgrimage to Australia was too much for most of the diocese’s potential pilgrims, so the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry collaborated with other dioceses in Ohio and Michigan to create this option.

The event in the Buckeye State will draw thousands for prayer, learning, and celebration. The program will include video-feed from the Australian gathering, keynote address by humorist/speaker Mike Patin and music led by Cleveland-based band Who Do You Say I Am. Additional speakers include Ron Lanfair and Tom Sparough. Prayer experiences will include Eucharistic liturgy with at least one bishop, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, adoration and musical praise and worship.

The goals are for young people of Ohio and Michigan to gather with peers to grow spiritually, experience a sense of pilgrimage and to pray with thousands who share the same faith.

All participants must register through a parish group. All chaperones and young adult participants must be in compliance with the Diocesan Child Protection Policy. Because of a grant from the Catholic Youth Foundation USA, there will be a Spanish-speaking option for youth and young adults who prefer to learn in that language. Sign interpretation for the deaf also will be available.

Registration packets were mailed to each parish and Catholic high school in the diocese. Event fee is $95, which includes three meals, plus $48 for bus transportation. Registration deadline is May 16. For more information, contact Cindee Case in the Office of Youth Young Adult Ministry, (330) 744-8451, ext. 280, or send e-mail to ccase@youngstowndiocese.org.