Youth in Europe

Close to 40 pilgrim group leaders from Canada, USA, New Zealand, Africa, Venezuela, Mexico and Haiti who are part of 'Youth in Europe,' gathered last night and tonight at the BXVI Pilgrim Centre. 

Most of the international young people had never met until theyarrived in Sydney, but attended the meeting as part of a series ofpreparation meetings - to get the low-down on their mission during WYD.

Organisedby Youth in Europe, the training sessions are designed to prepare thegroup leaders to lead groups singly or in pairs of up to 60 pilgrimsfrom USA and Canada.

Their role is to get pilgrims "from A to B" but also  "to inspiregreatness" says Steve Kerekes who founded Youth in Europe in 2000.

Kathy Carey, 29, from New Mexico, USA, has also been working for YIE in preparation for WYD.

"I'm really excited and humbled to be part of something that willhopefully have a great impact on a lot of people," says Ms Carey.

"Thewhole purpose is to make the experience possible for the most youngpeople to hear the call of the Holy Father and to be witnesses of theHoly Spirit," she said. 

"Can you help a friend of mine get a flight from Nashville? I havethis strong feeling that this person really needs to attend WYD," oneof the attending group leaders privately asked Steve Kerekes last nightafter the meeting.

"Sure, we'll see what we can do," was the response, just five days out from WYD.

Unbelievableas that petition may sound, it seemed to be nothing out of the ordinaryfor Steve Kerekes who says he was inspired to found the group, afterpraying for his vocation, in a dream."I was called by God to lead young people on pilgrimage," Steve Kerekes imparted after the meeting.

"I felt very explicitly called by God."

"I was praying and I asked God to guide me. And I woke up one day with an explicit answer," he explains

"And God said, 'Go to WYD in Denver. And that's where your mission will begin.' ... Ihad another dream three months later and there you'll meet someonewho'll be with you for the rest of your life… I went to WYD in Denverand the very first person I met is my wife," he says. 

This time round, his wife is at home in New Mexico, USA, with their sevenchildren named: Maria, Cecilia, Benedict, Blase, Declan, Emeric,Dominic. 

The eldest is 12 and a half and the youngest is 3 months old.

Regarding the work of Youth in Europe he says, "Everything is basedon providing opportunities for young people to open their hearts to thegrace of God."