Holy Rosary youth embrace parish

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

A replica of the dead body of Christ lay in a makeshift, cave-like tomb surrounded by white lilies, with a cross at the background and a monstrance holding a consecrated host and a banner of the World Youth Day serving as the backdrop.

As people prayed the rosary and reflected on the passion and death of Jesus Christ, men and boys in Polish costumes guarded the tomb, creating reminiscences of the guarded tomb of Jesus.

The idea for the depiction came from Sister Salutaria Sroka who worked with the youth group and other parish members to prepare the display.

"Whenever we have the chance to connect our celebration with the World Youth Day, we try and do that," Sroka told the WCR.

Sroka believes WYD is about encountering Jesus and portraying that happening through visual displays helps.

In December, the group created a nativity scene using the same banner of WYD made by Bogdan Konikowski.

Since preparations for the WYD began, the parish has seen active involvement of its youths. Not only did they make the display, but the group also volunteered to participate in some liturgical ministry duties such as being lectors, altar servers, cantors, ushers and greeters.

They even staged a dramatic presentation of the Way of the Cross.

For Piotr Lachowicz, 24, being involved in his parish through the youth group is a lot of fun.

"It's a great experience and it gives us the chance to interact with each other."

Alexandra Trefon, agreed and said, "Before, the Church for me is the 12 o'clock Mass and that's it."

Now that she is involved with the youth group, she is more aware and appreciative of parish life. The 21-year-old also met a lot of other young people who share her interest in studying about the faith.

Milena Jusza, 20, said she intends to continue serving the parish and being involved with the youth group after World Youth Day.

"It is a good way to strengthen my faith and re-affirm my commitment to God."

All the young people's activities are in preparation for their participation in the 17th WYD in Toronto as they want to be prepared for the event.

Marta Lachowicz savours the activities they have been doing in Holy Rosary, but for her, Toronto will be really big.

"The whole experience of meeting different kinds of people, from different backgrounds, speaking different languages and coming from different cultures will just be awesome," said the 23-year-old.

Her brother Piotr added, "The WYD will prove that Christianity is so alive and is not dead."

For Trefon, the July event is something to look forward to, but the process of getting there meant a great deal to her.

"All the preparations we have been doing allowed me to get to know other people in my own community."

The group presently has 38 young people committed to attend the WYD, but hope more will sign up before July.

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