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Youths share an intoxicating communion in Australia

By Michelle Jones, Times Correspondent
In print: Saturday, August 30, 2008

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HOLIDAY — Last month, 15 teenagers from St. Vincent de Paul Church traveled to Australia to participate in World Youth Day.

"It was overwhelming, seeing so many people and connecting with them from all around the world," said Ashlee Johnson, 17, a senior at River Ridge High School.

In order to make the trip, the teens and members of the church raised money for three years. There were car washes, dinners, breakfasts and a lot of donations to come up with the $65,000 that was needed.

Churches in Sydney hosted the pilgrims and the big events took place at a racetrack, where Johnson said they all slept one night.

"The pope rode around the track in his popemobile," she said.

"Seeing how many people believe the same way I do" strengthened her Roman Catholic faith, she said.

Victoria Burns, 19, a student at Valencia Community College in Orlando was another one of the travelers.

"I grew up in a small church and there I saw a half million people," she said. "My faith is a lot stronger and I want to keep it that way."

Burns said she went to church when she was younger because her parents made her.

"Now I go because I want to," she said. "I have a stronger belief in Jesus Christ and am praying more, I want to keep that."

Father Mario Marzacchi, the parish priest of St. Vincent de Paul, said the spirit was right in the young people who went.

"It was wonderful for them to see a megachurch in existence," he said. "All of them over there were intoxicated like the disciples in the Upper Room (on the day of Pentecost), not on drugs or alcohol."

One of the chaperones for the group, Pat Powers, said three days of learning about the Holy Spirit became a life changing experience for him.

"I realized everything I do in life I have the Holy Spirit helping and guarding me," he said.

Anna Marie Wright, who is in charge of the youth and the young adult ministry of the diocese located in St. Petersburg, said 65 travelers went from the three-county diocese.

"It was an amazing trip," she said. ""It gave us such a hope for our church and made me feel that being in the ministry for God is so worth it. It was very uplifting seeing them expressing their faith, and their respect for Pope Benedict was amazing."

Father Mario said the youth who went are prime examples of what is good in their generation.

""Whether they know it or not they are living examples of stewardship and thanking God for the gifts they have been given."