Jul 10, 2008

Youths Sydney-bound to see pope

By Christine Morente / Bay Area News Group

An expensive 15-hour flight to Australia did not hinder local young adults from a spiritual pilgrimage.

They seek inspiration from Pope Benedict XVI to find ways to weave Roman Catholic values into modern-day life.

"People always ask why it's important to go to church," said 24-year-old Carrie Agasid on Tuesday. "God is a part of your family. If your mother and father live down the street, are you not going to visit your mother and father? It's about building a relationship to keep it strong."

The South San Francisco resident was among the 100 young adults from San Mateo County, Oakland, Sacramento, Reno, and Ottawa, Canada who attended Mass at the airport's Reflection Room.

An hour later, they boarded a plane bound for Sydney.

From July 16 to July 20, they will join more than 300,000 pilgrims to participate in World Youth Day and a meeting with the pope.

The event is the 10th international celebration of its kind.

Established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, the gathering helps youths celebrate and learn about their faith on a regular basis. It's held once every three years.

Sergio Canjura, of San Francisco, is making his ninth journey to World Youth Day. The 39-year-old said his goal is to experience the love of God.

"It calms me," said Canjura, who is the volunteer coordinator for the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Born and raised Catholic, he didn't become involved in the church until he saw Pope John Paul II in 1987 in San Francisco.

Canjura - who was diagnosed with terminal cancer - felt inspired by the pontiff. To him, the pope was a beacon of hope, love and unity in such a divisive world, Canjura said.

In 1991, Canjura went to Poland for World Youth Day. He said it was a life-giving event. When the pope was giving Mass, Canjura asked for a miracle of life.

"It feels good to still be around," he said. "It's God in action. To me, I came back with a new love and a new understanding. Miracles still happen."

Now, he works with the youth.

Canjura knows how difficult it is to motivate teens to participate more in the church.

Being successful in it requires innovative techniques to connect the church's traditions with today's challenges.

But Canjura is optimistic.

His strategy is not preaching to the teens, but just having a conversation.

"They will recognize that materialism and individualism really isolates them," he said. "For me, it's belonging to a family, and understanding the values of the church and faith."

Brian Atienza, director of vocation at the Diocese of Sacramento, said giving young adults the opportunity to have a sense of ownership in the church would allow them to participate more.

"They do have a right to be heard, and given the opportunity to express themselves," Atienza said.

The priest is heartened that there is a renewal of interest in the church among some youth.

"I believe people are tired of the negative," Atienza said. "The normal tendency is to look for something that will give them hope and life. That's what the church offers."

Back at the Reflection Room, San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang commended the young pilgrims for going to World Youth Day.

"This (trip) is not cheap, and it's time consuming," Wang said. "You are so generous with God. God will bless you abundantly."

He regretted Tuesday that he will not join them in Sydney, but assured them they will treasure the memory of their pilgrimage.

"We know the future is in your hands," Wang said. "Just work together with God."