Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Teens gather for WYD reunion
Teens gather for WYD reunion
by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published October 31, 2008
Detroit — World Youth Day participants gathered last Sunday at National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak both to recollect their shared experiences and to say good-bye to Auxiliary Bishop John Quinn.
Veterans of both the Sydney, Australia WYD, and the Sidney, Ohio WYD At Home events, attended the Mass and reception. Besides Mass, the teens viewed projected photos from the Australia and Ohio WYDs.
"It was kind of a refresher – in case anyone had lost sight of the spiritual message of World Youth Day," said Derik Peterman, 17, a senior at Churchill High School in Livonia and member of St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland.
Bishop Quinn had been with the teens in Australia. "There was a moment when all of us said a blessing for him and expressed our best wishes (as he prepares to leave to become bishop coadjutor of Winona, Minn.)," said Derik, who was there when Bishop Quinn said Mass for the Detroit contingent in Sydney.
Jordan Cumbo, 16, said she enjoyed seeing some of the teens who had been with her on the Australia trip and meeting some who had gone to Ohio.
She said she thinks it is a "wonderful thing" that the Church sponsors an event such as WYD. "It's great to hear what young people say about their faith and hear them tell of their love for Jesus," said Jordan, a junior at Livonia Stevenson High School and member of St. Colette Parish in Livonia.
Alyssa Hayes, 16, who also went to WYD in Australia, said she thinks youth events are needed to get more young Catholics involved in the Church.
Alyssa, a junior at Novi High School, is involved in the youth group at Holy Family Parish in Novi.
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