Florida Catholic | Diocesan Pilgrims Heading To World Youth Day

Diocesan pilgrims heading to World Youth Day

Bishop and 50 others will be in Australia for World Youth Day 2008.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 07.04.08

VENICE | Bake sales, golf outings and car washes are just some of the ways money was raised to send young people from the Diocese of Venice to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in mid-July.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane is leading the pilgrim group of 50, who are from parishes across the diocese.

World Youth Day brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a regular basis. More than 125,000 international visitors are expected to make the pilgrimage in faith, meet with each other and experience the love of God.

Devin Jones, project coordinator for the diocese, helped organize the trip. The group includes people from younger to older from across the diocese, including those from parishes in Cape Coral, Sarasota, Immokalee, Naples and Fort Myers. The largest parish-based group going to Australia is from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Sarasota. The group raised more than $60,000 so they can send 15 people.

“There is an emphasis on the pilgrimage and spiritual aspect of the event,” Jones said. “It is also an opportunity to meet many others from around the world who share in their faith.”

The group will have a chance to participate in several events at World Youth Day with the Bishop Dewane. He has been asked to participate in a vocations exhibit by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and speak to young men who might be interested in the priesthood. Bishop Dewane is one of about 50 bishops from the United States going to World Youth Day.

Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass for the pilgrims and is scheduled to make other public appearances.

In addition to Bishop Dewane, two diocesan priests will be going to World Youth Day, including Father Patrick Wilson of St. Martha Parish in Sarasota and Father Mark Heuberger of St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral. Both will be attending with some of their parishioners.

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