Students Set Sights on Youth Day in Paris

Ten San Fernando Valley high school students, all members of St. Didacus parish’s youth ministry, are planning a trip to France next summer to participate in the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day, which will include a Mass to be celebrated by Pope John Paul II.

Jennifer Silva, parish youth minister, said the group is confident it will be able to raise the nearly $28,000 needed to pay for the students and five chaperons to make the 10-day trip to Paris.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Silva. “None of these students would normally be able to afford to go to Europe.”

The students, all between 15 and 17, have planned a series of events to raise money for the trip, Silva said, and parishioners have also chipped in with bake sales, rummage sales and other contributions.

“The students are putting a lot of heart and dedication into this and it’s really been a group effort,” Silva said. “This gives them the opportunity to learn that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish your goals.”

Mary Real, whose son Victor is one of the youths selected to attend the conference, said she is as excited as he is about the trip.

“He’s really looking forward to it, and so am I, even though I’m not going,” said Real. “To be able to go out there with other Christian youths and hear the pope, it’s really a special opportunity.”