Catholic youths celebrate 'World Youth Day Not a WORLD Away'

Monroe — Catholic teens and young adults from Sacred Heart Church in Monroe, St. Anastasia’s in Harriman, and elsewhere in Orange County, joined others from the Bronx, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to celebrate “World Youth Day Not a WORLD Away” at Marycrest Convent in Monroe late last month. More than 70 teens and young adults, along with 20 older adults, attended the faith and fun weekend. Presenters included Bishop Gerald Walsh, Sisters from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. There were games, skits and entertainment. There also were opportunities for confession, catechesis and Mass each day. Participants were also able to tune in to the huge World Youth Day events in Madrid, Spain in which Pope Benedict XVI and more than a million young people participated.