4 | FRIDAY JULY 20, 2018 | The Observer WYD cross coming to Chicago The World Youth Day icon and cross will be making a stop in five in the on the journey back to for . oung Youths from Panama (left) received the WYD cross from representatives in in 2017. bserver The closest stop to the Rockford will be Aug. 20 at Holy Name Cathedral, 730 N. Wabash Ave., @young0bserver Chicago, in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Young Observer There will be several Masses, an outdoor luncheon Y and an evening prayer service that day. O (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Info: https://pvm.archchicago.org/events/wyd-symbols WYD — Six months and counting! By Manuel Rueda | “I’ve never been to those Catholic News Service places. But when these people he Church of Christ come here, I will be able to see the Redeemer in the world through their eyes,” was said Vivas, who is originally built with Panama's from Venezuela. Thot and humid weather in mind. Organizers said that, by There are no walls on the mid-May, 155,000 pilgrims had building. Its tall, round roof is registered for World Youth Day. supported by cement columns These include about 5,000 spread far apart so that a good young adults from the United amount of breeze can make its States. Most pilgrims come way down the church's aisles. from the host nation and from Latin American countries such But last April, plenty of as Colombia, and organizers gathered there for . prayer and planning for World Youth Day 2019. The WYD logo (left) depicting Panama will symbols for host the 16th Mary, Panama World Youth Day and the Jan. 22-27. Panama Canal It will be the was selected first Central as the winning American nation design to promote to host the massive World Youth Day event, which will (CNS photo/courtesy World Youth 2019. The design by (CNS photo/Bob Roller) Day USA) include a music Amber Calvo, 20, a World Youth Day volunteer Carolina Vivas of Venezuela, 23, works on her computer April 23 in Panama City. festival, dozens of Panamanian student World Youth Day 2019 will be celebrated Jan. 22-27 in Panama City. seminars for youth and an studying architecture, was expected four-day visit by chosen from 103 entries. how to make money to support Youth Day volunteer at Colon’s Youth Day. Some young Francis. In Panama, organizers are their families. Some even turn Jesus Pan de Vida Parish, said Catholic leaders in the city “I think that World Youth Day hopeful ’ visit will to crime. part of the problem her parish have quit their jobs or taken will help us to grow spiritually,” encourage the nation’s poor to These day-to-day concerns faces is that the faithful have a months of leave to help the said Ivan Lopez, 20, who come back to the Church. hurt the chances of anyone habit of keeping to themselves. diocese prepare for the event. attended the April prayer seeking a career in the She is hoping World Youth Gonzalez took a one-year service. “There are many Yitzhak Gonzales, a local Church, he said. The diocese Day will become an excuse for leave from his job at the local young people who have drifted leader for the youth committee, is notoriously short on priests, churchgoers to “reach out” to port. He said he has found the away from the Church, but this said young people in the which means some rural areas the rest of the community. will help us to strengthen our poorest parts of Colon, an preparations to be rewarding only get once every parishes.” impoverished port city about “We are going door to door, and he hopes Pope Francis, an hour from Panama’s capital, three months. encouraging people to learn who is famous for seeking “We have people coming feel the Church is irrelevant in “There is not much thought about World Youth Day and those on the margins, visits from places like Brazil, Haiti their lives. given to what God wants from get involved,” said Romero, Colon while he is in Panama. and the ,” said us, or even if we may have a 24. “We also have a car with Carolina Vivas, 23, a volunteer Gonzalez, 26, said one way “A papal visit would renew religious vocation,” Gonzalez big speakers that we take into who is helping large groups of to fix that is by creating spaces our hope in the future,” the streets to get noticed and pilgrims to register for World for youths to “reflect on what said. “That is why we need Gonzalez said. “We don’t just make some noise.” Youth Day through the event’s they want to do with their lives.” more spaces to talk about our need new infrastructure here, official internet site, https:// He said young people go vocation and career options.” The Colon Diocese is aiming our people also need spiritual panama2019.pa. about life mostly thinking about Neyci Romero, a World to take 3,000 pilgrims to World renovation.”

Vocation corner Hi, everyone

s summer moves along I would simply Teacher University Parish. God desires for us in our lives. He By Father like to introduce myself. I’m Father Kyle Kyle I am truly excited to begin this new journey to help is the creator of our very souls and Manno, and I am the new vocation therefore He is the one who will Manno director for the Diocese of Rockford. inspire vocations to the priesthood and religious life | Vocations reveal to us why we exist and how as well as forming men to become priests after the Director AI was ordained June 4, 2016, and have been heart of Christ. to perform His will on a daily basis. assigned to St. Patrick Parish in St. Charles for the last two years. I have just recently moved into my I want to begin this new role by encouraging all When we come to Him daily in new assignment as director of vocations as well as those reading this article not to be afraid to take up prayer He does incredible things and will transform associate pastor at the Newman Catholic Student the task of daily prayer for at least 20 minutes a day. our hearts, minds, and lives! So do not be afraid to Center at Northern Illinois University at Christ the This is the most crucial aspect of discovering what spend that time with Him daily!