FIRST CATECHESIS SESSION

Today we had our first Catechesis session.  It was on Faith and was presented by the Archbishop of Chicago who is a Cardinal. It was excellente!  That was followed by Mass. It was held in a church close to our hotel and was attended by many English speaking pilgrims from all over the world.  We got there late and sat on the floor so tomorrow we plan to leave earlier.  We had the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux following the Mass.  We were on our own for lunch and then free time all afternoon.  Two ladies from the village who are in town to see the Pope, stopped by the hotel and 4 pilgrims went with them for a tour of the Royal Palace, which was free today for pilgrims. It was excellent.  Two pilgrims visited the Prado museum and the rest shopped and hung out.  Not sure if any siesta´´d...perhaps we are getting used to the heat.  Tonight we had dinner at 7:30 p.m. then off to adoration at the seminary. 

Canadian Gathering

This morning we gathered with more than 5000 Canadians for an opening prayer service. Salt and Light Television was there so you can view it at http://www.saltandlighttv.org/  Look for Canadian Gathering video.  You can also follow some of the WYD events live at that website.  Getting to the event included a lesson on how to get around  on the subway.  Immediately following the opening prayer, another subway ride to the Vocations Fair...lots of good stuff!  It was in Retiro Park, a very famous park that was once only used exclusively for royalty. Following that we took another subway ride back to the hotel, this time with a change in lines.  Our siesta was used to rest, get out of the heat, and dash out to buy more water and supplies for the next few days. Some shopped. We had supper at a food court with some familiar N. American restaurants..yes the Golden arches were there (!) and then off we walked to the Opening Mass.  (You should also be able to see that on Salt and Light TV.)  We were very far back from the actual stage, but had a jumbotron right in front of us. We had to sit on a closed off road, and even though it was shady, it felt like out bottoms were getting cooked due to the hot weather!  The Mass was beautiful. We arrrived back to the hotel around 10:30 p.m. (a long day) and in some thick crowds (a taste of what we will be experiencing once the Pope arrives).  Fr. Terry allowed the pilgrms to go out for a bit to enjoy some of the nightlife, although some of us were too tired and went to bed.
Tomorrow is our first Catechesis session.  Luckily we are very close to the church where that will take place so we don´t have quite as early a morning.  (Today we started out at 8 a.m.)

Goodnight! 

The Pilgrims

We´ve arrived in Madrid!!

We appologize for the lack of blog posts.  There was no working internet connection in the very small town where we spent Days in the Diocese.  (1100 people in the village...like Murillo!...very rural)  We slept on teh floor in a sports facility...thank God it had showers.  It has been very hot. The small town opened their arms and hearts and we were truly loved, especially at the nightly fiesta in the town square, and by our adopted Mothers who served us daily meals.  It was quite the experience.  I survived staying put with Fatima less than 7 hours away! 

Fr. Terry celebrated Mass on today´s Assumption of the BVM - a National holiday in most of Europe.  He celebrated for us and the community.   We spent today´s siesta sleeping during the 3 hour bus ride to Madrid. We have checked into hotel, and just had supper. There are many pilgrims very visibly in town.  We expect more than 1,000,000 at the Mass. 

Tonight we are taking it easy in the hotel. Tomorrow a.m. there is a gathering for Canadians and few British who are in our hotel.  Tomorrow evening is the opening Mass. 

We are still working on posting photos..might have to find an Internet cafe...or something!

Debbie DeBruyne 

A Whale of a Journey!

After two failed attempts to take off from the Thunder Bay Airport, we took off two hours late, but still made our Toronto connection to Madrid.  Arriving in Madrid in good time we immediately hopped on the coach for our host diocese of Plasencia.  Our hosts showed us to our accomodations and we staked out territory for ourselves on the gym floor of the community centre. Here we will call ´home´for the next few days...

The first evening of our stay in Tericellis de la Tessa, a cloud shielded us from the scorching sun for the afternoon, remaining stationary until sunset.  We thought of it as a small miracle.  As the sun set, the cloud took on the unmistakeable form of a whale!  When we have a chance, we´ll upload the picture for you!
Access to  internet is quite limited here....
Until next time!

The pilgrims...

The first leg!

We've made it through the airport security! Praise the Lord!! Our jouney begins now! Everyone is smiling... So far! Stay tuned for more!

Days in the Diocese Details

*This info was received by Fr. Terry in an email from Victor Jiménez (a member of Youth Ministry Diocese of Plasencia)*

Dear Terence Sawchuk:

 - How are you?

-Your group is received in Parish. The group is not received in families. These are going to be received in a sports installation. There are two services, each one with showers and baths. They must bring sleeping bag and small mat.

- We can use the swimming pools to bath, You bring swimsuits and towels,.

-The ladies of the parish realized the food, You are going to eat in the dining room of the college.

-You arrive on August 10 to Madrid, on 11:30 am. I imagine that while they go out of Madrid it is 13:00 am, They were coming to Torrecillas de la Tiesa on 16:00h pm.  The place of meeting is:

• Plaza de España s/n.
• Código Postal: 10252.
• Torrecillas de la Tiesa.  (Cáceres) Extremadura.

In English:

• Plaza of Spain.
• CP: 10252.
• Torrecillas de la Tiesa, (Cáceres) Extremadura.
• It has not lost because it is a small town.

This day, they will be got by the people of the parish. 

• Day 11

You they were visiting the twon:

• The church
• Squares
• Town hall
• House of culture
• Home of the pensioner
• School.
• Sports facilities and swimming pools
• Associations of the town.

In the evening, we will give a testimony of our parish. You also can give a testimony of parish. 

• Day 12

Do you want to go of excursion? We can go to Caceres or to Merida.

Caceres: It is a medieval city.

Merida: It´s a Roman city.

You can see: www.turismoextremadura.com

• Day 13

This day we will be in the town. We will rest in the morning. We can see some movie, or, you indicate an activity to me to realize.

For the evening, we will celebrate a mass with the whole people.

• Day 14

 This day, we are going to Trujillo, There we will meet other groups (Corea y Honduras). Besides other Christian communities of the zone of Trujillo.

In the morning, We will visit the city.

In the evening, We will realize a conviviality of cultural exchange. If you they want, they can bring a power point, explaining your cultural one, or sing or dance, songs and dances of there

• Day 15

This day, we are going to go to Navalmoral de la Mata, and there we will be with all the received (Canada, Mexico, Australia, EE.UU. Samoa, Corea, Honduras, France, Holland).

And from there we will go to Madrid.

  

I that there comes a girl who speaks Spanish. I have searched, a translator of Englishman in order that this one with us, Since, I speak a bit the English.

I hope, that I you clarify the doubts, If, your  have not understood this letter, you make me it know, and I turn you to writing.

 A greeting

 We pray for you and for the JMJ.

Víctor Jiménez

A Hint of Catechesis for WYD

THIS WAS RECENTLY POSTED AT ZENIT NEWS FROM THE VATICAN

Archbishop Chaput Among 8 US Prelates Chosen as WYD CatechistsNation Sending Some 29,000 to Madrid

WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 27, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Council for the Laity is asking the new archbishop of Philadelphia and the archbishop of New York to be among eight U.S. prelates who will teach catechesis at World Youth Day.

The eight bishops from the United States are part of a list of 250 bishop-catechists chosen by the Vatican to give catechesis in a variety of languages during the Aug. 17-19 sessions.

The eight American prelates are: Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago; Cardinal Seán O'Malley, archbishop of Boston; Archbishop Charles Chaput, newly appointed archbishop of Philadelphia; Bishops Samuel Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota; Edward Burns of Juneau, Alaska; William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York; and Frank Caggiano, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn. 

Each bishop will prepare three catechetical sessions, one for each day, based on the theme for WYD Madrid 2011: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (Colossians 2:7). The three themes of the day are Firm in the Faith (Wednesday) Established in Jesus Christ (Thursday), and Witnesses to Christ in the World (Friday).

On Saturday, U.S. pilgrims and bishops will gather at a morning Mass before that evening's vigil service with the Pope and the next day's papal Mass. Cardinal George will be the main celebrant at Saturday's Mass, and Archbishop Dolan will provide the homily. At the end of Mass, in a made-for-the-occasion ceremony, the U.S. bishops will send forth the youth to the remaining WYD events and ask them to return home as missionaries. After Mass there will also be some time for participants to gather by diocese or region with their bishops.

The number of U.S. pilgrims scheduled to attend World Youth Day continues to grow. So far, more than 28,700 U.S. pilgrims and 62 bishops have registered to participate at WYD 2011.