Archdiocese hosting pilgrimage to 2008 World Youth Day

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is hosting a pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, from July 9-22, 2008.

At the time of the pilgrimage, youths must be at least 16 years old to participate. Youths under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Legal guardianship must be signed over for the duration of the trip to an adult attending World Youth Day. The appointed guardian must also sign the visa requirement for the minor.

Minors under 18 must be chaperoned at a ratio of five minors per one adult. Chaperones must be at least 25.

The pilgrimage is open to parish groups and individuals.

The cost of the trip is $3,359 per person. The package includes:

• Round-trip airfare from Indianapolis to Australia.
• World Youth Day registration. (Youth in Europe will register the archdiocesan group for World Youth Day.)
• Ground transportation in Australia.
• Simple accommodations.
• Meals provided by Harvest Tours during the pre-pilgrimage tour.
• Most meals provided by World Youth Day during the pilgrimage.
• Admission to all World Youth Day venues.
• Tour guide assistance.
• Daily Mass and prayers.
• World Youth Day journal, backpack and T-shirt.

A $1,000 deposit is due by June 15, with future payments also due on Sept. 15 ($786), Nov. 15 ($786) and April 15, 2008 ($787).

World Youth Day insurance is highly recommended. It will cover medical treatment. The estimated cost is $100, and it is not included in the package cost. World Youth Day insurance will not cover anyone age 65 or older.

The two-week pilgrimage will include stops in Brisbane, Sydney and other parts of Australia.

The highlight of the pilgrimage will be the celebration of the World Youth Day Mass with Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney on July 20, 2008. More than 2 million Catholic youths are expected to attend.

(To learn more or to register online for the 2008 World Youth Day pilgrimage, visit www.archindy.org/youth. For more information, call Kay Scoville, program coordinator for the archdiocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at 317-236-1477 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1477.

E-mail her at kscoville@archindy.org.) †