|
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be sending a delegation of youth and young adults, ages 16- 35, to join His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia July 12 -22, 2008.
World Youth Day Frequently Asked Questions:
What is World Youth Day?
World Youth Day is an unbelievable weeklong spiritual journey where pilgrims from all over the world unite to share their faith. The week includes prayer, song, concerts, drama, sharing, liturgy, catechesis, and an unforgettable vigil and closing mass with the Holy Father. In 1984, the Pope John Paul II invited young people from all over the world to participate in a pilgrimage at the very first World Youth Day. Since then it has been held in Argentina ('87), Spain ('89), Poland ('91), U.S. ('93), Philippines ('95), France ('97), Italy ('00), Canada ('02), and Germany ('05).
Who can participate?
The Archdiocesan trip is being sponsored for all pilgrims between the ages of 16-35.
How can I ensure there will be a spot for me?
Send in your $200 deposit and registration form by June 1st. First payment of $857 is due June 15, 2007.
Do I need to be part of a group to attend?
No, World Youth Day is so great because of the large number of pilgrims from all over the world! It is best experienced with a parish, diocese, family or school group so you can celebrate together all the opportunities that are available. You can register for the pilgrimage as an individual or a group.
How much does it cost?
Program 1: 12 days of World Youth Day, $3,629 (July 12, 2008 - July 23, 2008)
Program 2 - 5 day Tropical Reef & Rainforest Tour + World Youth Day week, $4,450 (July 9, 2008 - July 23, 2008)
What does the trip include?
Package 1: July 12th - July 23rd $3,629
July 12 & 13 (crossing the international date line.) We begin our Pilgrimage! We depart Philadelphia via jet service for our "one sleep away" to Sydney. Meals will be served on board. Sit back and get your rest!
July 14: SYDNEY. Upon arrival in Sydney, we proceed to our orientation tour of the city, provided by our travel guide - including Darling Harbor, Bondi Beach, Watson's Bay and Paddington's historical terrace houses (subject to arrival time in Sydney.) Overnight at our hotel.
July 15: After a good night's sleep and breakfast at the hotel, we meet up with the rest of the Philadelphia pilgrims and have time to acclimate ourselves to the new time zone and activities. This evening, we attend the Opening Mass of welcome celebrated by George Cardinal Pell at the Olympic Stadium, followed by a concert. Overnight at hotel.
July 16: Breakfast at hotel. We will head out for the first of 3 amazing days of Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning and festival events in the afternoon and evening. Lunch is included as part of the World Youth Day package. Overnight at hotel.
July 17: Breakfast at hotel. Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning. Lunch is included as part of the World Youth Day package. Arrival and welcome of the Holy Father in the afternoon and evening. Overnight at our hotel.
July 18: Breakfast at hotel. Catechesis (teaching) sessions in the morning. Lunch is included as part of the World Youth Day package. Stations of the cross - a re-enactment of our Lord's Passion and Death in the afternoon and evening that will take place through the streets of Sydney. Overnight at our hotel.
July 19: Breakfast at hotel. We begin our Pilgrimage walk to site of Closing Mass, evening Vigil with the Holy Father and sleep out 'under the stars'. Prepare for an incredible and holy experience!
July 20: Wake up with the sun and hundreds of thousands of fellow Catholics to celebrate the Closing Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and concluding events. After Liturgy, we make our way back to the hotel for a shower and a good night's rest.
July 21: Breakfast at Hotel. After a good night's sleep, we have one final day to explore Sydney and all its glory. Overnight at our hotel.
July 22: SYDNEY /USA. Breakfast at hotel. We depart for our return flight to USA. The end of our unforgettable pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2008.
Package 2: July 9th - July 23rd $4,450, must have at least 20 pilgrims registered
July 9 & 10 (crossing the international date line.) We begin our Pilgrimage! We depart Philadelphia via jet service for our "one sleep away" to Sydney. Meals will be served on board. Sit back and get your rest!
July 11: CAIRNS. Welcome to Australia and sunny Queensland! Upon arrival at the airport, we are met by our driver and proceed to our hotel. The rest of day is at leisure to relax, get adjusted the time zone change and enjoy tropical North Queensland or you may wish to head into town for the night markets. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
July 12: CAIRNS / GREAT BARRIER REEF. After breakfast we travel to the Great Barrier Reef to discover the world's largest coral reef aboard your luxury catamaran. We will have 4 hours at Michaelmas Cay, a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds - one of the most important nesting sights in the Southern Hemisphere. A stop for lunch is included. The reef is amazing with the brilliant colors of the coral and the varieties of fish which will make a swim and snorkel experience unforgettable. An optional diving expedition is also available. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
July 13: CAIRNS / RAIN FOREST / CAPE TRIBULATION. After breakfast we travel to one of Australia's great scenic highways and cross the Daintree River to Daintree Environmental Centre for a refreshing morning tea. Here an expert guide will take us on a boardwalk and explain some of the fascinating secrets of one of the world's oldest rainforests. After the walk, we visit the theatre presentations and the interactive displays, or obtain a closer look at life in the rainforest by ascending the Rainforest Canopy Tower. Then we continue to Cape Tribulation Beach while our guide explains the rich history of the area. Walk the beach or boardwalk and relax in this tranquil setting. The next stop is for lunch in a rainforest setting. We then return to the Daintree River, with a stop enroute to enjoy the panoramic view from Alexandra Lookout. After re-crossing the river we take a calm water cruise of this important waterway observing the wildlife that inhabits this environment. Our guide will point out the different types of wildlife and plants that make their home along the river. The cruise terminates in Daintree Village where we will board our motor coach for the return journey to Cairns, stopping at beautiful Mossman Gorge along the way. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
July 14: CAIRNS / KURANDA / SYDNEY. After we check out of our hotel, we drive to Freshwater Station for a tropical buffet breakfast. Then we head off to explore the nearby tropical rainforest and Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The railway winds its way past rushing waterfalls, over high bridges and through stunning rainforest high above the Barron Gorge. Kuranda is a small village perched amongst lush tropical rainforest. There will be some free time to browse through its famous shops and markets of exotically handcrafted goods, Aboriginal artifacts, restaurants and coffee shops. Lunch will be served at the Kuranda Trading Post. Then we take the sky rail which glides just over the pristine rainforest to see the wonders of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. We return to the airport for our flight to Sydney. Upon arrival in Sydney we will be met and assisted by the Quest Travel staff. We will be escorted, if allowed, by private motor coach to register and collect our backpacks before we proceed to our assigned WYD accommodations. (If time allows, orientation tour of Sydney will be provided.)
July 15: Meet up with the rest of the Philadelphia pilgrims! After breakfast, time at leisure. This evening, we attend the Opening Mass of welcome celebrated by George Cardinal Pell at Olympic Stadium, followed by a concert.
Begin Program 1--WYD on July 16.
|
|
