SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Cumberland will host a sendoff ceremony on August 7 at 7 p.m. for a group of parishioners traveling to Cologne, Germany for the 2005 World Youth Day, which takes place August 12-23. The sendoff ceremony provides an opportunity for the group to come together under the support of the parish, and prepare mentally as well as spiritually for their journey ahead.
The seven parishioners from SS. Peter and Paul will join Cardinal Keeler and 127 other young people and youth ministers to form the delegation from the Archdiocese of Baltimore at World Youth Day.
While in Germany they will experience 12 days of prayer and self-reflection (led by Pope Benedict XVI), historical sightseeing, and the native Bavarian culture.
First started in 1985, World Youth Day is “a festival of encounter and solidarity”. Youth between the ages of 16 and 30 gather together from all over the world to strengthen faith and establish identity amongst the Church through prayer, worship, and discussion. The event has been recognized as instrumental to the future of the faith as the next generation of church leaders gathers to share ideas and wrestle with church issues. World Youth Day 05’ will be the first youth celebration for the newly elected Holy Father and will be an important opportunity for youth to identify with the Church’s new figurehead.
To track the experiences and personal reflections of the members of the Archdiocesan delegation as they travel on their spiritual journey, or to learn more about World Youth Day ‘05, visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore website at www.archbalt.org/wyd2005/.