Ottawa wants day's pay for World Youth Day

Edmonton expects much lower cost for Days in Diocese

By ART BABYCH
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

Archbishop Marcel Gervais launched a special diocesan collection Jan. 23 to finance the Days in the Diocese portion of WYD, asking parishioners to contribute a day's pay on the weekend of Feb. 2-3.

"One day's pay is a lot of money but I believe the results will be worth it," he said.

About 10,000 young people from the archdiocese are expected to help welcome the visitors to Ottawa from July 18-22 and then join them in travelling to Toronto for WYD.

"We're expecting this wonderful five-day adventure to cost us somewhere between one and two million dollars," Gervais told the parish WYD coordinators representing the 114 parishes in the archdiocese. "That's why we're having this special collection."

Gervais said the unused portion of funds donated -- if there is any -- will be returned to the donors.

The archbishop has also prepared an eight-minute video to help parishioners understand the reasons for the collection.

"We are grateful to the Catholic school boards of the archdiocese for placing their schools at our disposal so that these guests might be housed safely," said Gervais. "However, there are many expenses involved in the five-day effort."

He cited food and transportation costs, the rental of Lansdowne Park and the rental of necessary equipment for the opening celebration and closing Eucharist at Lansdowne, a sports and concert stadium.

A spokesman for the Edmonton Archdiocese said this diocese is not worried that that Days in the Diocese will run a high cost.

Andrew Papenbrock told the WCR that Edmonton’s budget will not be as high as Ottawa’s because of two things: the number of the delegates coming to Edmonton will be lower, and the archdiocese has adopted a different strategy for hosting guests.

Half of the parishes in Edmonton agreed to help provide accommodation, food and transportation for the visitors.

“What is more important for us is the interaction between the people hosting and the visiting young people from other countries,” Papenbrock said.

However, the archdiocese will have to spend for main events like an evening of fellowship for all visitors and a pilgrimage to Lac St. Anne, he said.

For these, the archdiocesan Youth Commission has started seeking for sponsorship but will also seek the support of the people by asking for a special collection in April.

Edmonton is expecting to host delegates from Germany, South Africa and Trinidad.

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