Teens participate in World Youth Day '08

SEE SLIDESHOW OF WORLD YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE

COLUMBUS GROVE - Four local youth brought back memories and pictures from their recent participation on World Youth Day 08 held in Sydney Australia.

Taking part in the six-day event were Abigail Kahle, Gabe Kruse, Alicia Schmiesing and Danielle Hoyt. The four teens from St. Anthony's parish joined 54 other youth from northwest Ohio to travel to Australia.

"It was an unforgettable experience," Kruse said. "I know that it deepened my faith."

The group flew out of the country on July 10 to attend the event. Because of crossing the international dateline over the Pacific, they lost Friday, July 11. They arrived in Sydney on July 12.

Attending a Chinese Mass was one of the first events attended by the group.

"Even though we couldn't understand what they were saying, we could understand what they were doing," said Kahle. "I was impressed me with the university of the church."

Schmiesing was impressed with how well the entire event was organized.

After attending the Chinese Mass the group toured the South Coast and Southern Highlands and visited a shrine in the mountains.

The following day they had more opportunity to do sightseeing in Australia.

An opening Mass with a gathering of young Catholics from around the world opened World Youth Day on Tuesday, July 15.

"You could look around and see flags from all over the world," said Schmiesing. "It was awesome to see." The Mass was conducted in four languages including English, German, Italian and French.

Wednesday was a day for catechesis. Archbishop Ignatious from Nigeria spoke on the subject of the Holy Spirit and Prayer.

"We had the chance to ask questions," explained Kahle. The remainder of the day the group had the opportunity to attend several concerts.

Following more catechesis the northwest Ohio group joined over 500,000 others to see Pope Benedict KVI arrive at Sydney Harbour. "We found ourselves standing about 5-10 feet away from him when he passed by in the Pope Mobile," said Schmiesing, who was able to get a close up picture of the Pope.

A LifeTeen concert and Eucharistic Adoration was held following the Pope's arrival.

The next day the youth watched a live portray of the Stations of the Cross that started at St. Mary's Cathedral and ended at Barangaroo.

"I can hardly watch The Passion and this was nearly as good, just not as graphic," Schmiesing said. Sister Judith Mary SND, who was a member of the group, said Mel Gibson was involved in the production of The Stations.

An Evening Mass under the stars with The Pope giving the Homily was a highlight of the event.

"We took our sleeping bags and went early," Kahle said. "We were able to be close to the Pope this way."

"The Pope told us to receive the Holy Spirit and spread it out, keeps it going," Kruse said. This tied in with the theme based on Act 1:8.

"We were able to sleep under the stars," Kahle said. "It was cold."

Although it was winter the students said the day time temperature was often in the 70 degrees.

"We would roll up our sleeves," Schmiesing said. "And the Australians were walking around in coats.

The pope also led the closing Mass with over 500,000 in attendance.

‘It took us two hours to walk the five kilometers back to the hostel because of the mass of people," Schmiesing said.

Meeting people from other nations, hearing the Pope and the concerts, will also stay in the memory of the four students.

They expressed their appreciation to everyone who helped with the many fundraisers held to raise money for the expenses of the trip.

‘It was something I will never forget," Kruse said. "I believe I'm better prepared to go out on my own and go to college now."

"It was hard to say good-bye to our new Australian friends, but I'm really glad I went" Schmiesing said.

All three hope to attend the next World Youth Day.