For some time now, the NCYC
experience for attendees has been linked to the idea of
pilgrimage. Young people and their chaperones travel from all
over the United States to share in an encounter with Jesus
Christ as they celebrate the Catholic faith with the larger
Church—approximately 25,000 of them! The ancient practice of
pilgrimage prepares hearts for an encounter with Christ through
the experiences of journeying together in prayer, by doing good
works and studying. All along the way, up to and including the
actual travel to Kansas City, NCYC pilgrims and their families
are preparing to be changed, to be transformed by this
experience so that, when the pilgrims return home, their lives
are charged with a new reality—one that is on fire for Christ
and his Gospel.
The family is in a unique position to nurture and grow faith in
our young people. NCYC pilgrims will return home energized and
renewed by the Spirit for living their faith more authentically
and faithfully. Parents and families who are adequately prepared
to welcome back their son or daughter from NCYC will be more
successful in helping them grow more deeply in the faith. And
so, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is calling all pilgrims and
their families to share in the Blessing of Pilgrims on November
18, 2009.
what
to expect:
Between 7:30 and 9:00 PM:
Inspirational and uplifting music,
including the NCYC theme song “Christ Reigns”
Parish and school groups will be
formally introduced
Archbishop Dennis Schnurr will address
the assembly by video
Sprinkling Rite
Presentation of candles for each
family to use in prayer while their pilgrim is at NCYC
Blessing of Pilgrims
A live video feed from the Kansas City
convention center (hopefully with surprise special guests!)
Between 9:00 and 11:30 PM:
At 9:00pm, pilgrims will get a chance to say goodbye to their families and
place their suitcases on the busses, after which they will return to the
gym for snacks. We expect that the orderly dismissal of families and
loading of suitcases on the bus will take about an hour to complete. At
10:00pm, the pilgrims will participate in icebreakers and
community-building games. At 11:00pm the busses will be boarded and a
final prayer before departure will be prayed on each bus. Hopefully, by
11:30pm the busses will depart from Dayton.
what is
needed:
An additional Archdiocesan Permission
and Medical Release form for the blessing and send off event is
required for all attendees. Completed forms will be collected at the
door. Click here
to download the form.
We are committed to making this a free event for everyone. However, that
means we will need help from you and/or your group:
Introduction of Parishes and School Groups:
At the beginning of the evening, the name of each parish or school
attending NCYC will be announced. When your group’s name is called,
stand up and celebrate! Some groups are creating a poster or banner that
they’ll wave when their group is announced.
Candles for each NCYC Pilgrim: The Blessing rite includes the
presentation of a candle decorated by the pilgrim to his/her family as a
way of being in solidarity and in prayer with each other during NCYC.
Have your pilgrims decorate their candles at a meeting prior to the Nov.
18th Blessing and Send Of with symbols that reflect their faith, your
parish and the logo and themes of NCYC Kansas City: Christ Reigns! Some
parishes and schools are buying the candles as a gift to the pilgrims.
We’ve been assured by NCYC Planning Team members that 7-day votive
candles in plastic (without the glass globe) can be purchased for $1.00
or $2.00 individually Because sometimes a greater discount can be had by
buying in bulk, some groups are going in together on a case or two
(usually a dozen to a case). Votive candles can be purchased at most
religious supply stores or even online. However, you can purchase any
kind of votive candle you’d like, but please be sure to get a glass
candle holder for it as well (which can be decorated by your
pilgrims)—they will be lit for a long while before they are presented to
parents.
Snacks at 9 PM: We are asking each pilgrim to bring their own bag
“late night dinner”—a sandwich at least. We will provide chips, yogurt
and a beverage. (The busses will not stop before 9:00am for breakfast,
so it will be a long time between meals.) (FYI: Some groups are opting
to buy subs for each pilgrim, but that is completely up to you.).
One Pilgrim from Each Group to Participate in the Sprinkling Rite:
There will be a Blessing of Water and Sprinkling Rite. Each group will
be represented by one pilgrim who will come forward with a water pitcher
and pour it into a large bowl which will be blessed by our priest presider. We will provide the pitcher and water. We don’t need the name
of your representative beforehand, but will ask to meet with him or her
just before the prayer begins.
For more
information, contact Andrea Parker at 937-223-1001 or e-mail
daytonoym@catholiccincinnati.org
