The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.
For those of you who were not at the airport, our pilgrims made it home safe and sound! By now they are all probably showered, fed, and snug in their soft beds! Thank you for reading this blog and caring about our pilgrims and their pilgrimage. We will be working on getting pictures together and creating a slide show. We will be sure to let you know when we’ll be showing it! This pilgrimage has brought our St. Joan of Arc community together in so many amazing ways. Every single one of you… your prayers, support and donations… made this trip possible. THANK YOU!!!
Text from Julie: “On the plane! All are looking forward to showers without swimsuits!! See everyone in Denver! We are due in at 9:10.”
Well, they survived! I talked to Deacon Joe and Julie earlier, and it sounds like everyone is glad to be back on American soil! I can’t wait to see all the pictures and hear all the stories. Apparently Tori alone has over 6000 pictures! They went through customs in Chicago, so as soon as they land and get their baggage, they’ll be ready to head home to soft beds, warm showers, and, for Tanner at least, a home-cooked meal!
Alex & Julianne
Last glimse of Julianne until the holidays! She’ll fly from Chicago straight to St. Louis where her dad will meet her with a car full of stuff, ready to move into her dorm at St. Louis University! We’ll miss you Julianne!! We have six WYD pilgrims who are starting their first year of college when they get back, some of which will have already missed the first day of classes. Good luck Julianne (SLU), Alex (Metro), Ashley (Metro), Margaret (St. Benedict’s), Tori (Red Rocks) and Nica (Mesa State)! (Parents, correct me if I got their colleges wrong… it’s hard to keep track of them all!)
This article, by our very own Chris Stefanick (Director of Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese of Denver), is a great perspective on World Youth Day. Our pilgrims were not with the Archdiocese of Denver group, and did not have “front row seats to the riots”, but were still faced with hardship and suffering during their trip. It’s always good to be reminded of what’s really important on a pilgrimage like World Youth Day!
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=42509
Our pilgrims spent most of today in Avila. They had Mass at Saint Segundo Chapel in the Cathedral of St. Teresa (see picture below)! The day wasn’t too hot, so that was a relief! They spent the evening back in Plaza de Mayor in Madrid, shopping and eating. They had dinner at McMothership (what they call the local McDonalds!), and then headed back to the “concentration camp” (as they call the event center where they’re sleeping!). I think they’re all ready to come home! Their plane leaves tomorrow at 11:55 AM Madrid time (3:55 AM Denver time). They arrive back in Denver tomorrow night at 8:45 PM.
Mass at Saint Segundo Chapel
shoulder massage
