SAGINAW — Youth members of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Bay City attending World Youth Day with Pope Francis in Kraków, Poland next month are receiving private lessons on Polish language and culture before they depart. The parish's Deacon Stanley Kuczynski (pictured left), who was born in Poland, has been meeting with the young people to help them prepare. Their next meeting is on Monday, June 20, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 1503 Kosciuszko Ave., in Bay City.
The group traveling from Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish to Poland next month, will join Bishop Joseph R. Cistone as well as approximately 45 pilgrims from the Diocese of Saginaw, and more than 39,000 youth from the United States. The American pilgrims, who are traveling in record numbers this year, will be among millions of young people present for World Youth Day (WYD) 2016.
The journey to Poland will have a deep meaning for members of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish as pilgrims travel to the town of Czestochowa, after which the parish is named. The journey to Czestochowa will be part of a journey in the "footsteps" of Pope Saint John Paul II, the beloved Polish saint who initiated the first World Youth Day and who spent over 40 years of his life in Kraków, home of World Youth Day 2016.
The schedule for the gathering on June 20 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Bay City is as follows:
- 10 a.m. to noon- The group will make rosaries and pray
- Noon to 2 p.m. - The group will eat lunch and pray
- 2 to 3 p.m. - Mark Graveline, Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Saginaw, and Deacon Kuczynski will share useful information with the group. Both men are familiar with Poland. Deacon Kuczynski will share useful tips about Poland, including common Polish phrases and words.
- 3 p.m. - The group will go outside for a "prayer walk."
Every three years, millions of youth from around the globe travel to World Youth Day for the opportunity to pray with and see the Holy Father. The event, which is hosted by a different country each year, includes opportunities for young pilgrims to learn more about the Catholic faith and to be strengthened and encouraged by the faith they share with so many others from around the world.