WYD '08 Fundraising

Efforts Underway

Marie Elena Giossi Photo 

Gearing Up for Wyd Syd: Father Josephjude Gannon, left, is organizing a World Youth Day contingent from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Margaret Mary parishes, Astoria, for Sydney next July. Clarisse Quint and James Santos are planning to attend, as is Winnie Burke, who hopes to be a chaperone.

A cool breeze and warm sun made for ideal conditions as Clarisse Quint and James Santos circled the familiar terrain of Astoria Park last Saturday morning with the hopes that they’ll be exploring the landscape of Sydney next summer.

Quint and Santos were among 25 parishioners and friends participating in a “Walk-A-Thon for World Youth Day,” to raise funds for the youth of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Margaret Mary parishes, Astoria, to attend World Youth Day 2008 in Australia.

Father Josephjude Gannon, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, is organizing the trip for the two parishes, which will merge on Sept. 1.

Walkers set out from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. Waving hand-held flags with the 2008 WYD logo, the crew included several young people from the parishes’ youth groups, members of parish societies, including the Italian Club, local Knights of Columbus, and Father Gannon’s niece and nephews.

Latecomers joined the walk in progress or went the route solo.

All participants were asked to find sponsors — family, friends or local business — to contribute toward the effort. One walker collected $350 in donations.

“We raised over $2,000 today and we’ve raised $5,000 from local businesses. We have a total of $17,000 and our goal is $20,000,” Father Gannon said later.

While they’re close to their “reasonable” $20,000 goal, he says he’d like to “reach our extreme goal of $40,000.”

The package price for the nine-day event, July 12 - 21, offered through the diocesan Faith Formation Office and Pilgrimage Office is $3,725 per person. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will lead the diocesan delegation and serve as spiritual director.

Currently, about 10 young people from the two Astoria parishes, would like to go on this pilgrimage, which will cost a hefty $37,250. Youth will be responsible for at least a $500 deposit each.

“We raised a lot of money today. I give a lot of credit to Father Gannon,” said walker Winnie Burke, who hopes to serve as a chaperone with Father Gannon.

A parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for 30 years, this retired TWA and Citigroup employee is now putting her skills to work for the young people as she assists Father Gannon in organizing the WYD fundraisers and collecting donations.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s an opportunity they may never have again, to have Mass with the pope.

“It’s important for us to encourage them to go. … The community has to support the youth and we need to let them know we support them,” Burke said.

She was among the first group of walkers to return to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel around 10:30 a.m. All enjoyed post-walk snacks, provided by Knights of Columbus Council 309.

When Jane Abbey woke up late, she chose to run the route alone and then stop by church.

Although she belongs to nearby Immaculate Conception parish, she decided to support the walk because “I believe in the youth of today. We need to show we care and have hope in them.”

Walking in solidarity with the Astoria crowd was Msgr. Paul Sanchez, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel pastor and St. Margaret Mary administrator, who vowed to take a stroll while vacationing in Vermont.

Clarisse Quint was touched by the “heartfelt” encouragement of clergy, parishioners, neighbors and area businesses.

This will be the first WYD pilgrimage for Quint, 17, a senior at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, and James Santos, 25, who’ll enter nursing school this fall.

While cooling down from the walk, each spoke about their religious upbringings — from attending church and praying the rosary with their respective families to their own spiritual growth experiences.

“The whole idea of Australia and being with people of all different nationalities and ages” is exciting to Quint, who belongs to the parish youth group and serves as a religious education teacher.

“I want to learn more and increase my spiritual faith. I can’t wait until next summer,” she said.

Santos, a Cathedral Prep Seminary alumnus, says his desire to attend World Youth Day began after “hearing from seminarians who went in 2002 with Pope John Paul II. They said it was a good experience.

“I saw a bit of World Youth Day in Germany on EWTN. It reminded me of when I went to Medjugorje in 2004. Everyone there was proud to be Catholic,” he said.

Going to Sydney, he added, is another way for him “to know the Lord, not just know about the Lord.”

The two parishes have previously held WYD flea market and car wash fundraisers. Further fundraising will take place on the feast of St. Margaret Mary in October when there will be a raffle and silent auction. Gifts will range from a $1,000 cash prize to gift certificates donated by local businesses.

“We’re getting there,” Father Gannon said.
And they’re not the only ones who will be making their way to Australia. According to Father Gerard Sauer, diocesan Pilgrimage Office director, the Brooklyn Diocese hopes to send a large contingent to Sydney.

Delegations are being formed at St. Patrick’s, Bay Ridge; Holy Family, Flushing; St. John’s University and by the diocesan Vocation Office.

Partial scholarships are available through the joint resources of the diocesan Alive in Hope Foundation, Faith Formation Office and Pilgrimage Office. Based on financial need, 75 grants, ranging from $500 to $1,000 will be awarded.

Applications are due Oct. 19. For applications, contact the Faith Formation Office, 718-281-9584, or e-mail Father Sauer at pilgrimages@rcdob.org

TACHS Exam & Prep

Attention eighth- graders! The Test for Admission to Catholic High Schools (TACHS) will be given Saturday, Nov. 10, at all 20 Catholic high schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Registration begins Sept. 5. Log onto www.tachsinfo.com or call (866) 618-2247. Deadline: Oct. 10 for paper registration, Oct. 25 for telephone and Internet registration.

Msgr. McClancy M.H.S., East Elmhurst, offers a TACHS Exam Prep Course on eight consecutive Saturdays, starting Sept. 8. To register, call 718-898-3800 ext. 18 weekdays, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Agnes Academic H.S., College Point, offers a series of seven classes, beginning Sept. 20, to prepare for the TACHS Exam. For an application, call 718-353-6276 ext. 18.

St. John's Prep, Astoria, offers a TACHS Exam Prep Course on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 8, 9 - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $225. To register, call 718-721-7200 or e-mail admissions@stjohnsprepschool.org.

Holy Cross H.S., Flushing, offers TACHS Exam Prep Course for six weeks starting Sept. 29. For further information or to register, call 914-771-8577.

High School Open Houses:

Saturday, Sept. 22
- Cathedral Prep Seminary, Elmhurst (Boys) — 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Call 718-592-6800.

Sunday, Sept. 30
- Christ the King R.H.S., Middle Village (Co-ed) — 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Call 718-366-7400.
- Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst (Girls) — 1 - 4 p.m. Call 718-236-6363.

Wednesday, Oct. 3
- Nazareth R.H.S., Flatbush (Co-ed) — 5 - 8:30 p.m. Call 718-763-1100, ext. 226

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