My name is Chase Butynskyi and I am a sophomore at Allentown Central Catholic High School. My school recently announced an opportunity to go on a religious pilgrimage to Italy from June 14-23, 2026. Over the course of ten days we will visit a number of sites that are important to my Catholic faith and the history of Christianity. Not only will we experience the celebration of mass in a different church each day, but we will visit sites such as the Duomo in Florence, all four major basilicas in Rome, the Holy Stairs, Michelangelo's the David, the tomb of St. Catherine, a general audience with the Pope, and much more. All of this comes with a total price of $6000 (airfare, hotel, transport, entrance fees, and most of the meals). I know Christianity is not always popular, especially Catholicism. My faith is important to my family and it is an important part of what defines me. I do not think the practice of faith is lost on kids my age. I think we are all looking for answers in different places. I do not see this trip as a vacation. I see it as a chance to visit, meditate, and reflect on my faith. I want to be able to share my experience of looking up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, visiting the Catacombs of San Callisto, standing in front of Ghiberti's bronze doors and how these things shaped and changed my perspective. I am looking to raise $4500 towards the overall cost of the trip. I have saved up the rest of the cost (including other meals and spending money) from cutting grass all summer. Please consider donating to my pilgrimage and I greatly appreciate your generosity.

Best,

Chase Butynskyi