“I’m so excited to see such a holy man,” said Soto, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, San Bernardino. “I can’t believe it is almost here. Everyone is so happy for me, because they know how much I wanted to go.”
Almost 70 people will be participating in the Diocesan pilgrimage to the 8th World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 20 - 29. Aside from the 70, some individuals from the Diocese will be traveling on their own or with other groups.
The pilgrims will attend the conference, Festival of Families, Papal Mass, a Diocesan gathering and spend some time in New York and Washington, D.C.
Aside from the general itinerary, some are hoping to attend the Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra in Washington, D.C. and one family will be participating in El Primer Encuentro Hispano Latinoamericano de Familias (the First Hispanic/Latino Conference on Families) days ahead of the World Meeting of Families. The Encuentro will bring together 28 families engaged in ministry among Hispanic/Latino families in order to discern the parameters and vision for ministry among Hispanic/Latino families in the United States.
A Facebook group page has been created so that faithful who are unable to attend can share in the experiences of pilgrim participants during the World Meeting. The Facebook group can be found at www.SBMarriageInitiative.org.
In preparation for the upcoming pilgrimage, pilgrims are studying the preparatory catechesis. In addition, many are focusing on their prayer life and bible study.
“We don’t want them to lose sight of the opportunity for spiritual growth,” said Mario Martinez, coordinator of the Diocesan Marriage Initiative and a key organizer of the pilgrimage.
Phillip Garcia, a parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino, has placed more of a focus on daily prayer and studying the daily readings.
“I’m excited to go,” Garcia said. “I’m hoping to meet more Catholic friends that I can talk to. I feel that having good Catholic friends plays a big part in your faith. Without other Catholic friends, you don’t grow as much.”
He hopes this experience will help him grow spiritually, so that he may share his faith when he begins teaching as a confirmation catechist in October.
“I am mainly going to help me learn more about my faith and to show my support for Pope Francis,” Garcia said.
Pilgrims will be attending a family Mass at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Yucaipa on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The Mass, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego, will serve as the send-off Mass for the pilgrims. All who are involved in the pilgrimage or who will be following along and participating in local World Meeting of Family related events are invited to this special Mass.
In addition to the preparations for the pilgrimage, the Office of Catechetical Ministry will be holding Vicariate meetings for Marriage and Family Life Ministry Coordinators. The meetings will help guide parishes in organizing local events during the World Meeting of Families. Some possible activities include having viewing stations at the parish for the World Meeting of Families keynote addresses, bringing presenters to the parish, family Masses, family activities and rituals.