Teens to connect with Poland

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Teens to connect with Poland

ELEVEN students of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College have been selected alongside two teachers to explore their journey of faith in Poland.

These students include, Danielle Martin, Chelsea Tuckett, Ciara Ryan, Jennifer Bals, Hannah Charlton, Lisa Mildenhall, Julia Enter, Ziara Condoluci, Harry McNeil, Kate Brennan and Molly Clark.

The European country is home to Saint John Paul II and this is the first time Mary MacKillop CRC is sending students to World Youth Day.

The journey is a world wide experience where Catholics come together in pilgrimage to celebrate God.

It is also a learning experience to meet pilgrims from all across the world, bonding together and creating life long memories.

The eager Year 10 and 11 students are excited to set off, and the school has paid a generous amount of the costs to provide them with the eye opening opportunity.

Hannah Charlton is ready to go.

“I’m looking forward to experience the different culture of Poland, travelling around and meeting new friends. I’m hoping to learn more about myself and my faith,” she said.

The students will begin their 15 day spiritual adventure on July 22, flying out to Warsaw in Poland to take part in the Krakow Connect pathway and make their way to Krakow for the main event.

This year’s theme, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”, is a perfect line linking to the reflection on the sixth beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” that shall be the focus point for the event.

The celebration is run over one week, July 25 to July 31, beginning with an opening mass followed by catechetical sessions, prayer, afternoon shows, reflection and opportunities for reconciliation.

The Pope will make an appearance during the week and deliver his welcome address at a prayer service.

Pilgrim Lisa Mildenhall said, “I’m hoping this will be an experience of a lifetime. I’m looking forward to seeing the pope in person and being surrounded by one million same-minded people in the one place.”

Stations of the cross will be presented and students will take part in a 15km walk.

On the last night, a sleep out will occur in the fields of Blonia Park, Krakow.

The most personal aspect of the activities is the Vigil with the Holy Father. It is a special time of prayer and the atmosphere fills with total concentration but great joy.

After this powerful week, the Krakow Connect students will journey to the Wisle Retreat for two nights at the Golebiewski Hotel before returning home to Australia on August 5.

Bus trips: from left, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College’s Matthew van der Veldon, Danielle Martin, Chelsea Tuckett, Ciara Ryan and Jennifer Bals are setting off for a World Youth Day meeting in Poland.

Bus trips: from left, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College’s Matthew van der Veldon, Danielle Martin, Chelsea Tuckett, Ciara Ryan and Jennifer Bals are setting off for a World Youth Day meeting in Poland.

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Posted by on Jun 28 2016. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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