Start Planning Now For 2016 World Youth Day

Steve Dabrowski, director of the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, tells The Message that tour companies are already at work in Poland to make arrangements for pilgrims across the world to attend the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow. “We here in the OYAYA are extremely excited about making the first official diocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day in more than 20 years,” he said, “and we plan to have a great group.”

Dabrowski is getting word out about the pilgrimage now for a couple of reasons. Among them is the fact that initial deposits from prospective pilgrims will be due before the end of this year. “Tour operators from around the world already are reserving blocks of rooms in Krakow,” he explained, “and many of the facilities will require deposits very early to hold rooms. The travel company we are working with already has space reserved in more than 30 facilities, and will need to make deposits on them in the near future.”

Another important reason for the early notice is the opportunity families will have to make the diocesan WYD pilgrimage. “Bishop Thompson has decided that the diocese will allow those 16 and up to travel to WYD,” he explained. “However, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  This will be a fantastic way for a family to walk in the steps of Blessed Pope John Paul II in his native Poland!  Without parent/guardian, the cut-off will be age 18.”

The travel company also has notified Dabrowski that it will be including visits to Czestohowa and Auschwitz in many of the packages it will offer. That’s another reason the OYAYA is notifying potential pilgrims now – so they can begin planning for what promises to be an amazing trip to WYD 2016 in Krakow.

For more information, contact Dabrowski at (812) 424-5536 or SDabrowski@evdio.org.