In the Summer of 1993.. I was in the Seminary… and my Summer Assignment was working at Boys Town in Omaha.. I was in charge of cleaning the Pig Pen… actually I had to get a bunch of young men to clean the Pig Pen… I was there with now Fr Terry Staples, but He was in his deacon year and I was in my second year… 

Terry.. had the idea of driving to Denver for the first world youth day…. We made it a day trip.. We drove there and back in one day I believe.. We got there right before the Mass with the Pope John Paul II and we left to go back to Omaha right after the Mass.. 

I barely remember It.. It was a blur.. But as a million young adults youth.. second on Lisbon.. 

I will be grateful to Terry for saying ‘Let Go.’ and we did.. that is my only World Youth Day..

John Paul 11 1993 Denver ‘Young people you are not the future Church.. You are the Young Church.’ ‘Don’t be afraid to take Jesus into your hearts.’