Connecting with the pope Area youths reflect on seeing John Pa

A generation gap doesn't exist when Pope John Paul II gathers with youths, and a group of teenagers from Southeast Missouri got the chance to see how inspiring and enthusiastic the head of their church can be.

Thirty-one youths and adults from St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Cape Girardeau joined more than 800,000 young Catholics from across the globe for World Youth Day events last week in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. "z7>

Area youths traveled 18 hours by bus and returned home Monday from their trip. On Wednesday evening, they spent nearly two hours looking through photos, retelling stories and reflecting on the experience.

Gathered in a circle in the basement of the parish office building, they talked about deepening their faith, growing in their prayer life and getting intimate with God.

The youths said they were inspired by the words of the pontiff, who told them to be the salt and light of the world. Even though he is 82, the pope can still identify with young people, they said.

"He still identifies with our hopes and aspirations," said Kristen Watkins. "He said he still knows what our lives are like and what our faith struggles are."

The Rev. Patrick Nwokoye, a recently ordained priest in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Roman Catholic Diocese, told the youths he was glad they'd had the experience to learn more about their faith.

Energy from young people

Having studied in Rome, Nwokoye was able to see the pontiff frequently but none of those experiences was like seeing him in St. Louis in 1999. Seeing Pope John Paul II there was different because it meant seeing how the pontiff reacts to the church's faithful followers.

"Hearing youth talk has affirmed that he gets a lot of energy from youth and when he's with young people," Nwokoye said.

And the youths needed plenty of their own energy for the trip. They went sightseeing, spent time working in mission projects and visited with others they met on their journey.

During their sightseeing trips, the youth carried backpacks with them that had the World Youth Day logos and all the items they'd need for the day. The backpacks came filled with information about the events, rosary beads, a hand-made wooden cross on a chain and the Gospel of Matthew in four languages: English, Italian, French and Spanish.

On the night of the pilgrimage -- a nearly five-mile walk -- the youths had to bring everything they'd need for their overnight stay because when they awoke, they celebrated Mass with the pontiff. Early that morning it rained heavily but the skies cleared in time for the 9 a.m. Mass, which lasted three hours.

The trip taught these youths about the dedication and determination that a strong faith requires. Some said they were amazed to see Catholics from places like Pakistan or India. And even though everyone didn't all speak the same language, they could communicate.

"It was neat to see the different cultures of the world and how other people express their religion," said Josh Essner, a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish and student at Notre Dame Regional High School.

Essner hopes that the events showed the world that youths can rise to the occasion and be the leaders for the next generation.

"People always think teenagers are troublemakers, but this just shows there is hope for the future," he said.

Essner is writing a report for The Mirror, the diocese's newspaper.

Girls from Nazareth

Of course, the highlight of the trip for everyone was seeing the pope.

Linda Robert, a parent and sponsor for the trip, said she was impressed by seeing the pope up close but was struck by something that happened afterward.

As the teenagers left the arena following the outdoor Mass, they went to St. Michael's Cathedral. While outside the church taking photographs, they ran into some girls from Nazareth in Israel.

The two groups combined and began saying the rosary. After the prayers, they talked.

"They talked about how hard it is in their country and what a sacrifice it is to be Catholic in those conditions," Robert said. "It makes you appreciate how easy it is here to participate in your faith."

As the groups parted, the girls from Nazareth asked that the Missouri youths pray for peace in their country.

The trip took a year in planning and was done in "blind faith," said youth leader Teresa LeGrand. "We were pilgrims, and God connected us."

World Youth Day is an event geared for Catholics between age 16 and 35, who are considered to be the church's future leaders. The next event is in 2005 in Germany.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126