July 23, 2002

July 23, 2002, Day 2

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Andy and Mariel on bus ride to Downtown Toronto.

Travel Log

This morning we woke up at 6:30 and got ready for breakfast at 7:30. It was not great but it was food that we knew. After breakfast we boarded the bus and started to head to get our Pilgrim Packs and passes to WYD. We didn't know how long it would be, but it was fast - only about 30 minutes. Once we got our passes we picked up our packs which included a bag, rosary, books, pins, candle, and maps. We then went to the CN Tower in Downtown Toronto. We waited in line for almost 1.5 hours, but decided the line wasn't moving anywhere, and that we wanted lunch more. So we got lunch at a food court near by, and when done we were able to watch a little bit of coverage of the Pope arriving in Toronto. We soon took the public transportation to Exhibiton Place where the Opening Ceremony and Mass were being held. Mass was really cool with over 200,000 people and in many different languages and last about 2 hours. It was amazing to see the different countries flags. After Mass we got dinner, which wasn't great, but was included in WYD. After eating dinner, we attended the Life Teen Rally. It included lots of singing, talking, adoration, a testimony by Matt Smith (Nationl Life Teen Spokesman), and a whole lot of fun. After the rally we attempted to wait in the line to get on the public transportation, but the line was too long and wouldn't have gotten us back in time to catch the bus. So we all walked from Exhibition Place, where we were, back to where the bus was. When we got back everyone was tired and ready for a good nights sleep. Overall the first day was a lot of fun, and we met many people from all over the world!

Diary from Mariel Olson

Today was an amazing day. Once we arrived at the World Youth Day advents the day just kept getting better. Mass was half in English and half in French, we had books and a radio to be able to follow. There was a helicopter above us during Mass so we were able to see the hundreds of thousands of us standing and participating in the same Mass. It was hard to imagine that thousands of us from around the world believe in the same faith and are just as excited about our faith. The LIFE Teen Rally was crazy; we danced, sang, and prayed. We listened to the incredible musicians Tom Booth and Matt Maher, who are all from Arizona (St. Tim's). Also Monsignor Dale spoke to all of us. He is such an incredible speaker and really pumped all the LIFE Teen groups up. We prayed until 10 and then walked three miles to catch our bus and go back to the hotel so we can sleep for a few hours and begin the next day. I love you Mom, Dad, Tay, and Court, and the ladies that are still back in Arizona.J Love Mariel

Diary from Becky Wiskirchen

Hi Mom, Dad, Jenny, Clint, Nana, Gramo, Aunt Kay, Lexi, Zoey, Zeus, JO and Ben.
I miss you all sooo much. Yesterday, every time we had to change planes.....guess who had to be searched and had to dump her bag out?! Me! Do I really look like a terrorist? Today we went to downtown Toronto along with 350,000 other teens. We had mass in a ton of different languages, then we went to one of the halls for a Life Teen Rally and concert with Tom Booth, Matt Maher, Matt Smith, and Msgr. Dale with about 7-8 thousand other teens. Then on the 28th of July we get to see the Pope--yeah!!!. Tomorrow is sighthseeing Toronto. I love you all and thank you for your prayers. Love Becky

More Pictures (added 8/12/02)

Brian Sleeping During Breakfast
Bus Ride
CN Tower
Group Eating Lunch at Mall
Riding the Elevator to the Top of Mall
Junk Jammers
Opening Mass
Choir from Mass
Priests from Opening Mass
Celebrating Mass
Celebrating Mass(2)
Staying out of the sun During Mass
Following Along at Mass
Mass
Praying after Eucharist
Group at LIFE Teen Rally
Band from Rally
Joe, Erin, and Cindy
Msgr. Dale Speaking at Rally
Msgr. Dale and Dr. Evil
Msgr. Dale and Blessed Sacrament
Msgr. Dale and Blessed Sacrament (2)
Msgr. Dale Incensing Blessed Sacrament
Msgr. Dale before Blessed Sacrament
Msgr. Dale Bringing Blessed Sacrament to the Crowd
Matt Smith
Jen, Matt, Ryan
All the Priests on Stage at the Rally
Msgr. Dale, Matt, John

More Pictures

Life Teen Rally Band
Room 201 Catching Some Extra Sleep
Andy and Cindy Talk With New Friends from Slovenia
Mariel, Megan, Bianca, Becky
Msgr. Dale with Blessed Sacrament
Opening Mass
Group Eating Dinner at Rally
Group Eating Dinner at Rally(2)

Matt H playing the guitar
Toronto skyline
The jump jammers street stompers
The California Group
Eating lunch downtown
Erin hanging out in Toronto w/ new friend
Our Godtalk banner and US Flag
Praying at the Opening Mass
Msgr. Dale incensing the Blessed Sacrament
The Band playing at LIFE Teen Rally
Praying over the religious present
Stage at the LIFE Teen Rally (find our godtalk banner!)

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