World Youth Day '16 Support
Hey there!
First of all, know that it is hugely humbling for me to do something like this. Also know that I am unbelievably grateful for any support recieved.
I am hopefully heading to World Youth Day, Poland in July this year with a great community of pilgrims from the Brisbane Archdiocese, QLD. My beautiful fiance Katelyn is also heading over - we are to be wed in December, and we are SO excited for the spiritual challenge that this pilgrimage would offer us, personally and for our relationship. What better marriage prep than to walk in the footsteps of St. John Paul II in Poland - a man who's gift that is Theology of the Body has had such an impact on our lives, forming and inspiring us in our journey towards marriage in so many ways.
We are seriously considering making him our family patron Saint!
With that said, and as you probably have first hand experience, these things can cost a bit. Alas, so does the wonderful and exciting transition from single life to married life. One of my biggest desires is to live out God's plan for marriage - and I have been working my hardest to realize that desire, which I fully believe to be God-given. Oftentimes God desires for us to put in the hard yards too! Since graduating high-school in 2012, making some silly study choices (yep - didn't need THAT HECS debt), spending a year on mission in 2014 (one of the best years of my life, even with the reality of still paying it off), since then, working my butt off in two jobs whilst studying for that coveted eventual full-time job (!), and now getting ready to be married to the love of my life - well, to be completely honest, I need some help.
The sums just haven't added up in my favour.
I can't afford to go, and I realized recently that I might be left with that feared option of asking my friends and family for help. My Parish community is already pitching in - still, there is not much time left and not much raised.
What am I asking for you to support?
Humbly and simply, I please ask for your support in raising funds for getting myself along to World Youth Day in July this year.
Why?
So that the personal financial burden can be alleviated as much as possible.
When?
The cut-off date for payment is 15th May. Due to fund transfer time delays etc, I am putting the 'true' due date at 6th May.
Even if you cannot give any money, I please also ask for your prayers! If we could see clearly the true benefit of prayer in our lives, there would be go-pray-me websites launched!
In return for your support, on top of being incredibly grateful and thankful, I would love to commit to intentionally praying for you, and for whatever specific intentions you have, whilst at World Youth Day in Poland. We are visiting the Shrine of the Divine Mercy (where Jesus appeared to St Faustina), a few other holy piligrimage sites, as well as Mass and prayer with Papa Francesco! I would be honoured to add your own prayers and intentions to my collection to take over with me, if you so wish. (Ask me to direct you to a site with the entire pilgrimage mapped out. I of course can take over anybodys prayers regardless of whether you give or not!)
Thank you so much in advance - whether you are giving $5, $20, or saying a small prayer for me - I truly do appreciate it all.
God Bless,
Matthew Ross
