Emily Whitehead
Why do you want to go?
I want to go to World Youth Day because I've been to other youth conferences in the past and I would like to go to as many as I can. It's such a great experience seeing many other Catholics come together and worship God. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a closer relationship with God through this youth conference. What inspired you to go? Father Meyer and past experiences at youth conferences have inspired me to go on this pilgrimage. What do you look forward to most seeing in Rome? I am looking forward to seeing Roman architecture and learning more about the history of Rome and how it ties into my faith. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The most appealing aspect of WYD in my opinion would be praising God with millions of other Catholics. Zach Wilgenbusch
Why do you want to go?
To be able to experience something truly inspirational with my family. What do you hope to gain from this experience? An understanding of cultures that I have never seen before. What inspired you to go? My family making time to spend a truly exciting trip with me. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Either the Pantheon or the Colosseum. They are surviving time beyond anyone's belief. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The opportunity to meet people from entirely different parts of the world and see how Catholicism has affected their lives. Sandy Whitehead
Why do you want to go?
Attending World Youth Day is the opportunity to worship with hundreds of thousands of other Catholics. How amazing to rub elbows with that many people of the same faith formation! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to reaffirm and grow in my faith through this experience by immersing myself in the culture and the activities surrounding World Youth Day. What inspired you to go? My husband and I had the fortunate opportunity to see Pope Benedict in St. Mark's Square in Venice just by chance in 2011. It was an awesome experience to be with thousands of Italians and hearing them sing their praise songs to their "Papa". How can I pass up an opportunity to be with Pope Francis with even more faithful from all over the world? What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Our 2011 trip to Venice included many stops in locations with historic churches and cathedrals, some of which hold relics of those saints. They included St. Mark in Venice, St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy, and St. Blaise in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Visiting these holy places brings the reality of the Catholic faith home. I look forward to experiencing more of this in Rome. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? All of it -- Masses, prayer services, music, and people! Charlotte White
Why do you want to go?
I want to go because I think it is just an overall cool experience to travel with my church to see that part of the world and to be worshipping God at the same time. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain more prayer in my life and knowledge about our faith and also be closer to God. What inspired you to go? Father Meyer inspired me to go. What aspects of WYD sounds the most appealing? I look forward to seeing the pope. Getting to see the pope and being surrounded by millions of people that adore God sounds the most appealing. Fr. Jonathan Meyer
Why do you want to go?
I desire to attend this upcoming World Youth Day because it is what I do! I have attended every World Youth Day since the year 2000. This will be my seventh. When I went to my first one in Rome, I witnessed the love, joy and enthusiasm of St. John Paul the II and was captivated. I wanted to have that myself and bring others to understand it! I want to be rejuvenated myself, but also to bring others to a deeper love and service of our Lord in His Church. What do you hope to gain from this experience? A deeper love of our Lord and a greater understanding of my need to trust in Him. This trip, bringing 44 young adults from my parish, and will test me and try me... that is an opportunity for grace and trust. What inspired you to go? The joy and love that I have experienced in previous pilgrimages. I want to experience that again and witness others experience it for the first time. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Praying at the bones of St. Peter and the tomb of St. John Paul II! What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The opportunity to gather with the Pope and fellow Catholics from every part of the globe united in prayer, sacrament and joy. Stephanie HoffmanWhy do you want to go?
Opportunities of this magnitude are few and far between. I have never taken a church based pilgrimage before and can not think of a better one with which to start to start. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I'm not 100% sure what God will have me gain from this experience. My hope is to increase and deepen my faith, experience new people and cultures, and then come home to inspire and inform others from my experiences in Poland and Rome. What do you look forward to seeing in Rome? ...all of it! What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The catechesis sessions with bishops, stations of the cross, the vigil, and mass ...all of it! Lydia WeberWhy do you want to go?
I want to go on WYD because going on a pilgrimage with people who believe and love god as much as I do is absolutely awesome. What do you hope to gain from this experience? By going to Rome and Poland, I hope to gain an amazing relationship with God. What inspired you to go? My family and the experience they had inspired me to go on WYD. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I hope to see the amazing sights of Rome. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I really am excited about being with thousands of people who have a love for God like I do. Sarah OehlmanWhy do you want to go?
I am excited to travel to Italy and Poland and see the different sites. I am also excited to be surrounded by people from around the world of different cultures all worshiping in the same faith that I am. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain an even deeper appreciation and understanding of my faith and grow deeper in my relationship with God. What inspired you to go? I am not one to make big commitments so I was a little unsure about committing to this trip so far in the future. After considering this trip and praying about it I decided that I was sure this trip would be a positive experience in my life. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I am excited to experience everything in Rome! I just want to soak it all in! I’m also hoping to get a little taste of some authentic Italian food there. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I’m not really sure what to expect at world youth day. I think it is going to be most powerful and exhilarating to see such a large group of youth celebrating our faith together! Margo WhiteheadWhy do you want to go?
I want to go to WYD because I would love to deepen my faith and to worship God with people from across the globe. I love going on retreats, so I think this would be another great encounter with Christ. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I'm excited to see all of Rome because I've never had a chance to experience another country. What aspects of WYD sounds the most appealing? The most appealing thing about WYD to me is being able to worship among fellow Catholics from around the world and the pope!! Derrick BattaLife is sometimes described as a journey. I, like others see life as a collection: a mural of experiences though which we can look back upon and either learn from or remember nostalgically. A trip like this to Europe can do both: help me learn more about my faith and have the chance to make numerous new friends not only in my community, but from all corners of the globe. Not many people in this life can get special opportunities such as one to engage with Catholics on a massive global scale, see the wonders of Europe, and get a chance to see the current Pope in person and attend a mass he celebrated.
After coming back to All Saints Parish, I had many questions: (Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?). It was Fr. Meyer who taught us of the mercy and the practicality of the Catholic faith. I knew from then on that I wanted to continue my growth and make it my mission in life to be the best Catholic I could be, and it was he who said for us to take advantage of the opportunities in life which can change our lives after we experience them. Renee McCannWhy do you want to go?
I want to go on the World Youth Day trip because I think it will be a very rewarding and knowledgeable experience. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain new insight on life/faith and create new relationships with fellow peers. What inspired you to go? My mother, God, and myself. What do you look most forward to seeing in Rome? The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, and the Colosseum. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The traveling, sightseeing, seeing the Pope, and the WYD activities. Hannah McCannWhy do you want to go?
It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain better relationships with my family and friends who are going. What inspired you to go? I wanted to travel to Rome. What do you look most forward to seeing in Rome? The Colosseum. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Seeing Rome. Courtney WhiteWhy do you want to go?
I want to go on this pilgrimage because I think it would be a great experience to get to travel and see Rome and Poland and to also experience World Youth day. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain knowledge of some of the culture in Rome and Poland and I also to hope to grow in my spiritual life by experiencing World Youth Day and all that it entails. What inspired you to go? I love traveling and I want to see as many countries as I can and this was a great way to experience Rome and Poland, especially while World Youth Day is going on. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I’m looking forward to seeing all of it but I’m really excited about getting to experience a new culture and meeting a lot of new people from all over the world. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Definitely getting to grow on a more spiritual level, but also seeing and meeting all kinds of people from all different walks of life. Glenn Geraci
Why do you want to go?
I want to go to Rome because its a once an a lifetime experience to be around millions of your peers that represent your religion. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a better understanding of my faith and religion, and to learn more about all the different churches in Rome. What inspired you to go? I was inspired by my priest, peers, and family to go on this once and a lifetime trip. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? what I look forward to seeing most in Rome is all of the beautiful churches and buildings and I would really like to see the pope. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing having the chance to pray with millions, and getting to meet peers from different countries. The Alig's
Why do you want to go?
Our entire family is going to WYD. I cannot think of a greater experience to share with my husband and children. What inspired you to go? Father Meyer as well as the Pope have inspired us to make this journey. What do you hope to gain from this experience? We hope to gain a greater sense of spirituality and a profound closeness to our religion as we have never felt before. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? We are looking forward to all parts of Rome, but especially Vatican City. Mary Weckenbrock
Why do you want to go?
I want to go first because I've never been to WYD before and second to have the experience of being surrounded by thousands of other Catholics my age. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a greater appreciation of my faith as well as meet many new people from different parts of the world. What inspired you to go? As I said before I have never been to WYD before and a lot of my siblings have and they all loved it so I wanted to be able to experience it for myself. What do you look forward to seeing most in Rome? I am super excited to see the trevi fountain and the basilica. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? What is most appealing to me about WYD is the small groups because we will get to talk to people from other countries about their traditions among other things. I also am excited for the final mass with the Pope! Zac Ahaus
Why do you want to go?
World Youth Day is a unique opportunity that is full of spiritual and educational opportunities. It is a chance to visit the Vatican, have mass at St Peter’s Basilica and discover the rich history that Rome and Poland have to offer. It is a time to bond with friends while strengthening my beliefs as a practicing Catholic youth. I am excited to attend World Youth Day and can’t wait to leave! What do you hope to gain from this experience? Praying with Pope Francis and celebrating mass with him and a million other youth from around the world is a powerful experience. I hope to establish a deeper faith in my religion and retain a foundation of belief and devotion that will last me a lifetime. What inspired you to go? The chance to travel to other countries as a teen and see the history of our religious beginnings is a rare opportunity. Seeing Pope Francis and celebrating mass with him is a chance in a lifetime! What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I am looking forward to many adventures on this trip. I am most excited about visiting the Sistine Chapel, the Holy Stairs that Jesus walked on, and mass at St Peter’s Basilica. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I look forward to witnessing the multitude of people from various countries gathered together for the one purpose of praying and expanding our faith. Isaac KollstedtWhy do you want to go?
I want to go because this trip could help me to understand more about the catholic culture and my faith. Also I think it would be great being around young adults who practice their faith. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain more understanding about my faith and I want to learn more about what God has planned for me. What inspired you to go? I want to guide my son into Gods path as he grows and also I have gone through a lot of things and I think this is another chance for me to learn more about God. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I look forward to seeing some of the big churches and just the different culture and how they practice religion. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I am excited for the final mass and being around millions of young catholic adults. |
Rachel C. Callahan
Why do you want to go?
I want to go to WYD for the all the experiences. The experience to travel, to see the Pope, to celebrate Mass in a different language, to visit the homeland of three canonized Saints!! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I want to gain a closer relationship with God that will only bring me and others closer to Sainthood. I don't know what I will be patron saint of but I want WYD to be in my story. What inspired you to go? The fact that it is in Poland, the home country of St. JPII! Holy cow!! What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I am most looking forward to celebrating Mass at St. Peter's Basilica (if we get to do that) and seeing all of the Saints shrines and stories. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I find it absolutely awesome that young Catholics from all around the world are gathered in one place and for one reason: JESUS. I can't think of anything more appealing! Erin Wilhelm
Why do you want to go?
I think it will be a trip of a lifetime. I'm excited at the thought experiencing the Catholic Church on a bigger level. What do you hope to gain from this experience? A deeper appreciation of our universal church. It will be awesome to see so many people from around the world gathered to celebrate one faith. I feel this will strengthen my ability of a being a stronger witness to my faith and grow my relationship with God. What inspired you to go? It will be neat to be in the place where Pope John Paul II was from. Especially, since he founded WYD and is now a Saint. I am also excited to visit the Vatican and Rome. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Everything! History! What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Being in one place, surrounded by so many people from all over the world gathered to celebrate the same Catholic Faith. Casey Cleary
Why do you want to go?
I want to go to World Youth Day to be surrounded by two million other Catholics that are passionate about the same thing that I am, and to be surrounded by many different cultures. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to meet a lot of new young Catholics on this trip and to also learn more about my faith. What inspired you to go? My dream is to travel all across Europe in the future, and I saw WYD as an open door to start my dream. Not only do I get to go overseas for the first time, but I get to do it with the church. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I look forward to visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome the most. I hear that it's a very powerful experience. What aspects of WYD sounds the most appealing? The most appealing part of WYD for me would be the fact that I'm traveling to a whole other country overseas. I'm excited to experience different cultures and meet people from all around the world. Jessica Hoffman
Why do you want to go?
I am excited to travel to a different country and experience different cultures. What a better way to do so than to with millions of catholics and share our faith with one another! What a learning experience! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Catholic church and many new friendships along the way! What inspired you to go? I have always wanted to see Rome and to be a part of something larger in the Catholic church. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Wow! Everything! Rome has so many historical sights to see. I am most looking forward to seeing the Sistene Chapel and the Colosseum! I can't wait! What aspects of WYD sounds the most appealing? I am excited to meet individuals from all around the world and to experience mass with Pope Francis! I can't wait to take everything that I learn from WYD and all my experience and share them with everyone and encourage more youth to attend! Abby White
Why do you want to go?
To be able to meet new people and experience the Catholic church in a different culture. What do you hope to gain from this experience? To be able to come closer to God and to gain more knowledge on my Catholic faith. What inspired you to go? Father Meyer and his stories about experiencing WYD several times What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? The Pope and sightseeing What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Being amongst several other people from all over the world and sharing the Catholic faith with them. Maria Keck
Why do you want to go?
I attended the last WYD in Brazil, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. Experiencing the immense power of the faith of our world's youth is something I will never forget and something I cannot wait to be a part of again. What do you hope to gain from this experience? My faith is so important to me, and it's not always easy to maintain my faithfulness through college and the culture that surrounds me. I know that being in Poland with the young and faithful people of the world will replenish and refresh my love for Christ and help me realize how important my faith is to me. What inspired you to go? My last experience at WYD in Brazil has been inspiration enough. There is an indescribable energy that is aroused in the hearts of the young people who attend WYD and inspiration is an understatement when describing this energy. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Uniting with my fellow Catholics from around the world who I know struggle with the same things I do, yet decide to fight for their love for Christ and for the Church. Megan HayWhy do you want to go?
I want to go on this pilgrimage because it’s a chance for me to see, hear, and pray with the Pope. I also see this as an experience to meet young Catholics from around the world and learn about different cultures. What do you hope to gain from this experience? hope to gain a stronger relationship with God and a better understanding of what I’m called to do as His child. I also hope to gain a new sense of unity with the youth around the world. What inspired you to go? I was inspired to go because of the fact that this is an opportunity of a lifetime! I may not be able to do this again and I know that I will always remember this experience. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I really look forward to seeing the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. I’ve heard so much about them and to see them with my own eyes would be fascinating! What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I’m really excited to meet new people during WYD. That, plus celebrating Mass with the Pope sounds the most appealing to me. Dalton KuebelWhy do you want to go?
Ever since I found out that it was possible for me to attend World Youth Day, I’ve wanted to go. I want to go experience something bigger than our parish, than our diocese, than our country. A gathering of literally millions of young Catholic people to celebrate mass and adoration with the pope is one of the most exhilarating things I could ever see myself doing. It also is the best chance of me to experience Rome, Italy in my lifetime. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a larger worldview of our religion and its affect on our world. I can’t wait to experience Rome with members of our parish and to discover the blocks on which our faith has been built for the past 2000 years. I’m also extremely excited to bring back the vigor and energy I expect us to receive during our trip. What inspired you to go? This trip is one of only few times I will have to do something of this nature in my life, so I had to jump on it. I’ve also been inspired by stories from previous attendees and the eagerness of some of my close friends who decided to go on the trip as well. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? St. Peter’s Basilica is on the top of my list to see in Rome. I cannot wait to see where so many popes, bishops and priests have celebrated masses for hundreds of years. The sheer magnitude of the church and everything inside of it is enough for an entire trip. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I’m extremely excited about meeting people from all over the world, even though I might not be able to speak with them because of language barriers. Praying with thousands of people will be another experience I will not forget soon. Also, seeing and listening to the pope talk to our age group will be something I won’t be forgetting either. Samantha HensleyWhy do you want to go?
I want to attend WYD to experience my faith in a way that I have never had the opportunity to do before with people from every background and culture. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a broader perspective and deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a Catholic in a universal sense. What inspired you to go? I am inspired to go by the current youth I work with in our parish. They push me to want to know what the rest of the youth is like around the world and how they celebrate our faith. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I am most excited to see the culture of the Roman people, as well as, many historical Catholic staples that have played great roles in the early days of Catholicism. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I think the most appealing aspect of WYD is having the opportunity to travel as a small community in order to celebrate, pray, and worship with our larger global community. Amanda McCannWhy do you want to go?
I think it would be awesome to go out of the country and experience something like this. I just recently went to Steubenville for the first time and now I have the chance to experience something even better. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to grow closer in my relationship with God and maybe get the chance to see the pope. What inspired you to go? When I first heard about the trip I was excited and hoped I was old enough to go. When I found out I was, I thought of how fun and awesome it sounded and I still can't stop thinking about it. What do you look most forward to seeing in Rome? Everything, really, but mostly the things like the Sistine Chapel, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Probably the fact that I get to travel overseas and see famous parts of Rome. Breanne FoxWhy do you want to go?
I want to go because I believe it will be a once in a lifetime experience! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I want to gain an increase in faith. What inspired you to go? My mom inspired me to go. What do you look most forward to seeing in Rome? Everything! I've always wanted to travel What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? Just being with a lot of my friends and family on an awesome trip. Olivia Geraci
Why do you want to go?
I want to go to experience my religion in another country with thousands of other people who believe the same things I do What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a better understanding of my religion, and to meet many people around the world that have the same interest as I do. What inspired you to go? I was inspired through prayer and talking to peers and family members who have traveled for their faith. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I look forward to see beautiful buildings and spiritual people. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? meeting a lot of people and being with friends and family experiencing something amazing and life changing Ian May
Why do you want to go?
To travel and see Europe. What do you hope to gain from this experience? New friends and knowledge. What inspired you to go? Videos and stories from Father Meyer What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? Historical landmarks. What aspects of WYD sounds the most appealing? Seeing the Pope Lauren Deddens
Why do you want to go?
World Youth Day 2016 will be an experience that has the potential to change everyone of our lives. The opportunity to be in Krakow Poland where St. John Paul II spent his youth is inspiring to me as a young Catholic. We are the future of the Catholic church but our future starts NOW! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to gain a greater love and appreciation of others from the Universal church and be inspired to go out and serve. At Xavier we are "men and women for others" and this WYD will continue to ignite me to serve. What inspired you to go? I was inspired to go to WYD 2016 by Fr. Meyer and my parents. They are great role models of my faith and I would like to grow my passion to serve others. At WYD 1987 Saint John Paul ll said " Be witness to the love of Christ, sowers of hope and builders of peace." As young adults of All Saints Parish we have the opportunity be become just that; sowers of hope and builders of peace. What do you look forward most to seeing in Rome? I don't think there is one thing that I most look forward to seeing in Rome, I am excited to see it all! Rome is famous for so many things. The chance to be able to experience Rome, its history, and our faith, will be incredible. What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? The opportunity to celebrate Mass and my Catholic faith with the Pope and other youth from all over the world will be an incredible experience. Mary Keck
Why do you want to go?
From the moment I heard the announcement from WYDRio2013 that the next WYD was taking place in Krakow, Poland, I was all in! Having this opportunity to go with my daughter and husband, Fr. Meyer, the young people of our parish, and millions of youth throughout the world is beyond AMAZING! What do you hope to gain from this experience? I want to make this WYD Pilgrimage to immerse myself in everything Saint JPII the Great! Could there be a better way to do so than by surrounding oneself with the youth of the world for whom JPII loves so!? What inspired you to go? I love adventure -- adventure of any kind, for it stretches me and gives me an opportunity to become the person God created me to be -- one action at a time. Truly, all life is an adventure! What do you look forward to seeing most in Rome? I would love to go to the Capuchin Crypt, the famous Bone Church right below the church of "Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, in Rome. Perhaps this visit could help us all contemplate the most profound moment of life --walking through the Door of Death. Plus, it would be fun to see the bones of our youth get a tad-bit rattled! What aspect of WYD sounds the most appealing? I pray that this Pilgrimage, to my Papa JPII's homeland, will once and for all strip away ALL remaining trepidation I have of being a disciple of Christ. |
Why World Youth Day?
Please take a few minutes to read through some testimonials from our participants.