Home Sweet Home!

Hello!

We have all made it home safe! That really is the most important thing. We all have great stories to share and even better pictures. Speaking of pictures,

Pilgrims: please send your top five (5) or so pictures to Catherine TODAY if you want them in the slideshow!


I know most of us are exhausted. I myself couldn't escape the jetlag.

Soon, very soon, I will finally be able to post pictures up on the blog, and tell the great tale of the flights home through JFK. Those who had a layover in Chicago, would someone like to comment on here telling of your adventures? Thanks!


Catherine

Adios, Espana!

Today was our last full day in Europe. Because of this, we were granted a free day. While most of the group went to the prado in the morning, several visited in the afternoon. For the kids at home, the prado is an enormous art museum in Madrid. Everyone who went today will tell you that it was amazing, spectacular, or the most beautiful place ever. However, I was one of the two people who did not go to the prado at all, since museums make me want to hurl. Therefore, this morning angela and I walked to a nearby park, got trapped in some huge gardens, missed the palace we sought, and zigzagged our way to plaza del sol, where we wanted to go but believed we didn't have the time. Turns out, we did have the time, accidentally found the Plaza, and still managed to get to the church for Mass before everyone else. After Mass we split into groups again and went our separate ways. My group went to the parque del retiro, relaxed, and then made it back to our hostel at our own pace. It was a relaxing day overall, and we finished with a grand dinner with all 61 pilgrims. I had the steak, but I heard the swordfish was delicious.

That's all I have for now.

See you tomorrow!

Catherine

Toledo

Monday we woke up at the crack of dawn to board a tiny little bus. Again, we were separated from fr. Bloom's group. Also, the tour guide, whom we paid for, did not show up. So we had a free day in Toledo. We split into small groups and roamed the streets, shopping and taking pictures of beautiful buildings that cost too much money to enter. However, the group I was with stumbled upon a little chapel guarded by a curtain. Behind that curtain was the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. It was a beautiful blessing from God. In spite of our struggles this week, we have truly been blessed with the most unexpected wonderful moments.

The moral of the story: the souvenirs we bring back to you are probably from Toledo.

Have a good one!

Catherine

Overnight Vigil: Adventure Time

On Saturday August 20th we took the chance to sleep in. We then set off for Cuatro Vientos at 1:30 pm. We arrived at the train station at 2:30 where we walked. And walked. And walked. We finally took a bathroom and snack break at 5:30, where we decided to split into two groups. I took charge of nine youth and we ventured ahead of the group. We arrived at the gate qt 7:15, where the police stopped us from entering the secure airfield. We waited until 8:30 when it was explained to us that the airfield was full, and they would not accept anymore pilgrims. We decided to go back to the hostel, the only safe location for us. About 20 minutes in, we were caught up in a lighting storm. We took temporary shelter and once the storm passed we trudged on. About half an hour later, as we were passing a different gate to the airfield, who should we run into but Father Bloom and Saint Mary of the Valley group. They left their hotel at 6:30 pm and had just arrived at the field. Together we went to the nearest gate and were let in. Unfortunately, our section, f8, was full so we slept in another section. That was no problem except for the ant hill. After a long cold damp night, we arose and had mass with the Pope. After mass, the Pope announced the next location for WYD: Rio De Janeiro!! The combined groupleft together and split at the train station. Our little group of 10 took three different trains and four hours but we finally made it back to the hostel safe and sound. The other half of our group remained outside the airfield together all night, but eventually made it back to the hostel as well. We have so much more to tell, but it's time for bed.

Hasta la vista, baby.

Catherine

P. Sherman 42 wallaby way Sydney

Today we began our day with catechesis. We then had our Siesta, a truly blessed event. We then attended stations of the cross. Several people left early to get a good night's sleep, but those of us who stayed experienced a beautiful moment like none other. Sorry there are no details today. Still using an iPod in the hostel, but rest assured we will put up a plethora of details (the ones your kids refuse to tell you) and great stories as soon as we can. Thanks for following our blog!

See you later, alligator!

Catherine

The city that never lets us sleep...at night.

As we awoke and left at 7:30, we looked for a place That accepted our breakfast vouchers, but found none. So we bought breakfast today. We proceeded to the church Santa Teresa y San Jose, where we had catechesis ans Mass. Chatechesis was long but inspiring. Some great quotes from chatechesis were: "I got that from Justin Bieber", "iPod: interiority, prayer, obedience, and devotion", "God gave man women, and everything else is made in China!", "how many of you pray, asking to know how to pray?". After Mass, we had lunch provided by WYD. Then came siesta time! We were given a few hours to rest, shop, or just hang out. At 5 o'clock we made our way to the central plaza, where we awaited the Pope's arrival. The Pope arrived at about 8:30 to our area. During our wait, we met some new friends from all over the world. We returned to the hostel in separate groups at separate times. We all went to various restaurants for dinner, using our vouchers. It is now midnight and we are ready to sleep. Goodnight and good luck.

Raquel and Catherine

A confusing day

For august 17th.
We began our morning with a quiz on all of the sites we have seen thus far. Immediately after, we held mass and went to the airport. In europe, one cannot check in until two hours before the flight. However, due to out large group size, we did not all get to our gate until ten minutes before boarding.
The flight was delayed, so upon our arrival in Madrid our two halves went our separate ways. The holy family group took a bus to our hostel and began our search for food. This process took about two hours. By the time we were back in our rooms, it was half past eleven, so we went to bed.

Raquel and Catherine went on a quest for the church we will attend.

We have hot had any contact from SMV.

We also apologize for the lateness and all possible spelling errors. I am now updating the blog on Cliff's iPod.

Thanks,

Catherine

One more thing....

The post for today, Tuesday, August 16, 2011 will be up as soon as we can get it here.


Thanks,

Catherine

Rome, Open City

Few of us have evr experienced the grandeur of a Roman sunrise. That sum-up of the word "morning" coupled with the extra poignancy of morning prayer all preceeded the hectic events of Day 3 of our pilgrimage.

As it so happens, today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unlike in America, it is a national holiday in Italy (resulting in satisfying souvenir discounts). Less people (supposedly; it was still crowded) filled the suares in which we and our tour guides traversed. We forced ourselves to endure the intense heat of the open city, not to mention the intense history lectures of our guides. The Forum and the Colosseum were, of course, as spectacular as always.

Rome is an ancient city speckled with churches, ruins, small snack bars, and of course tourists. To fully appreciate the sheer beauty of Rome, one must wake up to see the sunrise and take time off in the evening for the sunset, and in between those times the city of Rome will take you over. Today was one of those days that took me (Cliff) over. The heat was bearable but a nuisance, especially in the sun. What I would reflect on is the impact the city of Rome has on the world. It is the eternal city. The ancient forums point to the systems of government that many states have adopted today. The Colosseum, despite the gore, shows a love for competition and sports, maybe even virtues of sportsmanship, honor, and courage. And there are the churches. The Church's impact and centralization in Rome and the world is apparent. The Church has patronized art, science, and the truth for centuries and still is the bastion of these fields today. Rome is a place of beauty and wonder and cannot be explored in a lifetime, but one pilgrimage to the eternal city will lead you to love the city as well as appreciate your own.


Cliff and Renard

All Roads Lead to Rome

For Sunday, August 14, 2011

As we awoke from our well deserved R & R in new Assisi, we enjoyed a continental breakfast and quested into the scorching hot European sun to reach the awesome ciy of Old Assisi on top of a hill. Our first stop was St. Claire's Basilica, the actual place where St. Francis got his epiphany to rebuild the Catholic Church. Neat, right?? We did get to see her tomb, which was a statue in her likeness, but not the super special crucifix that St. Francis got his message from. But that was all good because we got to see the birth place of St. Francis and the rest of his Basilica which, if you ask us, he totally deserved a lot.
So after our free roam in Assisi, which had awesome trinkets and really high and steep stairs, we made our long, 3 hour bus ride to Rome, so we can roam...That city. Yup.

It's been said that all roads lead to Rome, and that couldn't be more true! Rome is massive! From the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. And let us tell you, the postcards do not do them justice at all. They are breathtakingly nig and super awesome. Then afterwards, we went to Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church, near our hotel, which was really cool since the walls were painted with the various Madonnas of the world.

We head back into Rome tomorrow, which is (again) awesome, but please pray for us that the sun will be kind, because it isn't. As for the hotel, it is beyond awesome and we have three more days, so that is definitely good.

Until next time, Ciao!


Bill, Cody, Angie, and Elise

One moment please...

Due to time constraints, we have been unable to post the newest blogs. Please stand by while we get them p for you.

Thanks,

Catherine

Assissi At Last!

We got up really, super early, then we went to the airport and got in a really confusing line and checked in. We went through security without any problems (of course) and promptly boarded the plane. We watched "Kung Fu Panda 2" and it was AWESOME!!!!! After four hours, some sleep, and many new friends, the first flight arrived in Chicago.
Marni's take on the flight: "...don't remember. Too sleepy. I slept the whole way. Or at least I tried to."

We immediately congregated for prayer and then split to eat and use the restroom. Several of us decided to play ninja, an activity game, and soon enough we were joined by a group of pilgrims from El Paso, Texas.

By 2:00 pm, the second flight arrived. We finished up our meals and had Mass. Right there. At gate K19. In Chicago, Illinois.

We have no information about the second flight from Seattle. Apparently everyone slept.

Marni's thoughts on the next flight: "I'm happy and depressed that the next flight serves breakfast and dinner. Happy because it's food, depressed because I don't want to sit in a plane and have both BREAKFAST and DINNER on the same flight!"

Our second flight was filled with restful slumber for some and sleepness nightmares for others. Needless to say, we were all groggy as we raced through the Madrid Barajas airport to catch our connecting flight to Rome just in the nick of time. Our last flight lasted a mere one and a half hours, which seemed like seconds after our previous flight.

Upon arrival in Rome, we immediately boarded a bouble-decker bus and took a three hour drive to Assissi. We had Mass in the Basilica, near the tomb of St. Francis. We finished our first evening with Vespers and a light dinner of spaghetti.

That's all for now!

Raquel, Adam, Leah, Marni and Arielle

4 Days!!!

Hello friends and family!

After months upon months of preparation, spaghetti dinners, bingo nights, pancake breakfasts, soccer tournaments, (I can go on and on about how many fundraisers we did), the big day approaches, and now we only have 3 left!!

Are YOU excited?