World Youth Day 2016

Top: NRVC was part of a delegation that traveled to Poland in May to begin planning the English-speaking pavilion for the 2016 World Youth Day, to be held in Krakow. From left to right are: Father Marek Lesniak, liaison from the World Youth Day Planning Committee; Father John Kalisch, O.P., director of chaplains and spiritual development for the Knights of Columbus; Ms. Beth Mahoney, director of mission for Holy Cross Family Ministries; and Brother Paul of NRVC. Bottom: Polish students from Jagiellonian University, who will volunteer for World Youth Day, met with the delegation.

At the invitation of the Knights of Columbus, NRVC Executive Director Brother Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C. traveled with a small delegation to Krakow, Poland, for meetings on May 18 in preparation for World Youth Day 2016. NRVC and VISION Vocation Network will be partnering with the Knights in providing the English-speaking pavilion for the estimated 3 million pilgrims expected in Krakow in 2016. Ms. Beth Mahoney, director of mission for Holy Cross Family Ministries, was also invited.

The purpose of the visit was to meet with officials from the World Youth Day Planning Committee, view potential venue sites, and meet with Polish members of the Knights who are involved in the planning. In addition, the delegation met with students from the Jagiellonian University who will assist as volunteers. The Knights of Columbus has 65 local councils in Poland.  Representing the Knights were Father John Kalisch, O.P., director of chaplains and spiritual development, and Mr. Szymon Czyszek, Polish liaison and legal advisor.