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Show 10 Vernal Express Wednesday, 'M&BMJ CXI (3 ' THRONGS OF DeoDle anxiously High Stadium in Denver. Streamers (center) and flags were un- EROS AROCHO listens intent-furled intent-furled by students of "Up With People" whose base is in the Mile ly while his spiritual leader Hiqh city. speaks during the Pope's wel Weinman CattMics inmate pnOgirDinniaGpG tio eiiweir by Melanle Morrison Express Writer "Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first apostles who preached Christ and the good news of salvation salva-tion in the squares of cities, towns and villages," advised Pope John Paul II in an address to the throngs of young pilgrims during his four day visit to neighboring Denver last week. "Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern metropolis. "The world at the approach of a new millennium, for which the whole church is preparing, is like a field ready for the harvest. Christ needs laborers ready to work in his vineyard. "Young pilgrims, place your intelligence, intel-ligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, enthusi-asm, your compassion and your fortitude for-titude at the service of life. These young people now know that life is more powerful than the forces of death; they know that the truth is more powerful than darkness; and that love is stronger than death." This is the message that 20 youth and four adults from St. James Catholic Church in Vemal received from their spiritual leader during World Youth Day in Denver. Each of the 24 that made the pilgrimage agreed that seeing the Pope was the most spiritual event of their lives. Most came home with a different attitude than they left with. "I feel like a whole new man," said 15-year-old Eros Arocho. "I felt scared about the changes going on in the world. Now I'm not afraid of what the future holds for me or the world." The pilgrimage began Wednesday when groups began converging on Denver, who was well prepared for the hundreds of thousands of visitors visi-tors from all over the world. Youth leader, Vemie Heeney arrived with two Vernal youths on Tuesday night "I wasn't real sure what was going go-ing to happen, so we left early," Ms. Heeney said. "We had pre-regis-tered and knew we were to pick up a packet of information about housing, hous-ing, transportation, our tickets, etc. Amazingly, we arrived in Denver before all the crowds, went to McNichols Arena to register and were finished in about an hour. Among the items in the packet were , credentials that were worn throughout through-out the four day event "We were in awe with the number of people from all over the world at McNichols. We had a great time listening lis-tening and watching as the kids from other countries played and sang folk songs from their nations. It was a good experience for our kids to watch because we don't have the folk songs and dances like THE UINTAH High School class of August 25, 1993 await the PoDe's arrival at Mile other nations do." Wednesday was spent with the rest of the Vernal group arriving in Denver. They were housed in St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Arapahoe County, southeast of Denver. Their housing was arranged for by a Presbyterian Church and they were served dinner by a Relief Society from one of the local Mormon Churches. The remainder of meals were eaten at McDonald's, the official World Youth Day restaurant. Ms. Heeney said it was good for the Vernal youth to see how everyone was involved in making mak-ing the throngs of visitors in the Denver area feel more comfortable. Shortly after the Vernal youth arrived ar-rived they made friends with other youth from Southern California who were staying in a rented house behind St. Peter's Church. Thursday was the busiest day for all the pilgrims in Denver. The morning was spent by dividing into different age groups and attending different classes taught by various visiting clergy in the Catholic Church. President Bill Clinton welcomed Pope John Paul U to Denver in a day packed with speeches, helicopter heli-copter rides and private talks at Regis University. The Pope was greeted by 90,000 youth and adults at Mile High Stadium on Thursday night. This was only part of the contingent of 170,000 participants in World Youth Day. Only those who had pre-registered were allowed at Mile High Stadium during the Pope's welcome. He arrived at Mile High in one of three matching helicopters. Three helicopters were used to confuse someone in the event of another attempt at-tempt on the Pope's life. Ms. Heeney explained that security was so tight that several men with high-power high-power rifles were strategically placed throughout the stadium to ward-off any would-be gunmen. After arriving, he was greeted by followers as he rode around the stadium sta-dium in the "Pope Mobile," a bullet-proof vehicle used wherever the Pope visits. The Vernal group sat only 20 rows from the track providing provid-ing them with a good view of the Pope. "Time stood still as he spoke," Ms. Heeney said. "We didn't even realize what was happening. "For many of us who were raised Catholic, the Pope has only been a figurehead; someone who wasn't real. re-al. Seeing him made things more realistic; re-alistic; he was finally someone we could relate to. "As he spoke, he mentioned every country that was represented at World Youth Day. This empowered the kids by acknowledging they were there." She explained that as each country was named, the representatives repre-sentatives would stand up and cheer. 1948 gathers for their 45th class reunion at Weston Plaza Hotel in Vemal. 50 members attended. k i n come. AT 13-YEARS old, Kyle Eisenbraun is one of the youngest pilgrim to travel to Denver. The Pope's visit to Denver was not without controversy. He reiterated reiterat-ed the Church's stand on abortion, homosexuality, birth control and for the first time, publicly acknowledged acknowl-edged indiscretions by priests. He prayed for the priests, their families, and the victims and their families. Ms. Heeney said this was one of the more moving times that she personally person-ally witnessed. During a speech to 17,000 people Saturday night at McNichols Arena, he deplored America's urban violence vio-lence and called on all segments of society-but particularly the media-to accept responsibility for the problems prob-lems and find solutions. His 25-minute 25-minute speech further addressed reports re-ports of indiscretions but stopped short of apologizing to victims, as some critics have demanded. His remarks at McNichols on violence vio-lence in America comes at a time when Colorado Governor Roy Romer, has called a special session of legislature addressing gun laws. Denver police officers told the Vernal group that up until the time the Pope arrived there was a random shooting in the Denver-metro area every 20 to 25 minutes, but while World Youth Day participants were in town, all was quiet. The Pope called the violence "America's problem." Quoting from the Denver Post, the Pope said, "Individuals have a responsibility for what is happening. Families have a responsibility. Society has a heavy responsibility. Everybody must be willing to accept their part of this responsibility, including the , media," he said, interrupted by applause. ap-plause. "Including the media, which in part seem to become more aware of the effect they can have on their audiences." He said during the speech he wasn't speaking out against televi- r E!? C Jt if f 1 1 a 71 s- - POPE JOHN Paul II greets participants of World rode in the "Pope Youth Day at Mile High Stadium in Denver. He while he waved at VERNAL CATHOLICS travel to Denver to see the Pope. They include: (back row), Jennifer Jennings, Leslie Lawrence, Brett Wade, Michelle Kandle, Adrian Lawarence, Eros Arocho, Kyle Eisenbraun, Charlie Ulwelling; (center row), Bernadette Keddy, Mary Donovan, Nicole LARGE SCREEN at Mile High Stadium in Denver welcomes visitors sion but that the news media must help to find solutions. He suggested that the solution to violence is "the victory of grace over sin." Friday morning, the Vernal group met at a Catholic church with 1200 other delegates from Utah. There they reflected what their trip to Denver meant to them. They also attended at-tended a mass presented by a bishop from Pennescola, Fla. On Saturday, the group traveled outside of Denver to the Mother Cabrini Shrine; a Shrine that has reportedly re-portedly been visited by the Virgin Mother. This visit proved to be a spiritual event for the Vernal group. Fourteen-year-old, Steven Keddy said, "Visiting the Shrine renewed my faith in God. A lot of people have seen things happen at the Shrine and I just felt very secure and peaceful while we were there." When asked why Denver was chosen cho-sen as the site for the Pope's visit, Heeney responded by saying she feels something of a spiritual nature is going to happen in the West. She 99. mentioned various sightings that have occurred at Mother Cabrini Shrine. Some members of the media say Denver was chosen because of the Pope's love of the mountains. Ms. Heeney said she felt the Pope's visit to Denver was some-what some-what commercialized. She mentioned men-tioned various packets of coupons they received when they arrived, most of which were not useful to their group. "I really don't think they Denver made much money off us. But they certainly tried." She praised the city for the organized manner in which the Pope's visit was conducted and specifically UHS class of 1948 renews acquaintances The class of 1948 from Uintah High School held their 45th class reunion on Aug. 14. The day began with renewing old friendships at a breakfast at Gardner Park in Dry Fork Canyon. At noon the group had a picnic and a dinner-dance dinner-dance at the Weston Plaza Hotel in Vernal culminated the day's events. Music was furnished by Duane Hall, Wayne Hall, Janiel Gardner, of Vernal, and Ron and Jennie Perkins of West Valley City. Ninety class members graduated in 1948 and 50 of them attended the reunion. Some of those 50 had not returned to Vernal since graduation. Attending the reunion were: Frank Hatch, Jim Campbell, Lynn S laugh, Gene Stewart, Joelle Johnson, Dan Thacker, Bob Williams, Mcrlene McNeill Hall, Duane Hall, Floyd (Tobc) Wilkins, Gary Stewart, Holt Wardle, Dick Karren, Udell Mobile," a bullet-proof vehicle, the 90,000 visitors. Maxson, Matt Keddy Becky Molina, Raymond Cheshire, Paul Keddy, Gerry Ulwelling; (front row), Marie Smith, Cameron Richardson, Jacque Anderson, Brandy Curtis, Joe Schriver, Michael Maxson, and Steven Keddy. (Not pictured, Vernie Heeney taking picture). from afar as well as the Pope. mentioned the public transportation, food service and public servants. The Vemal group left Denver Sunday and didn't attend the public mass at Cherry Creek State Park. The mass has been referred to by many as the "Catholic Woodstock" and had over 375,000 participants. Most of the pilgrims camped at the Park for two days to be guaranteed a good spot when the Pope arrived. The huge crowds caused several concerns for health officials, Arapahoe County sheriff, as well as World Youth Day organizers. See Papal visit page 14 Gardiner, Lorin (Pudge) Merkley, Wayne Wilkins, Dan Turner, Glenn Goodrich, Elaine Murray Bascom, Wayne Martinsen, Mary Helen Merkley Heimbigner, Marie Manwaring Campbell, Maurine Peterson Freestone, Earlene Sowards Beecham, Lila Collier Caldwell, Enid Goodrich Murray, Doris Merkley, Glade Calder, Lois Jean Brady Adams, Carol Manwaring Southam, Helen Richens Chapman, Lola Gurr Peterson, Loma Hardy Simper, Glen Hatch, Thad Stringham, Jude Hacking, Don Slaugh, Leora McCarrell Hazelbush, Vonda Lee Fletcher Curtis, Lois Ellis Burton Gergen, Joan Caldwell, Gloria Wallis Jones, Melva Lee Burbidge, Ruth Hodgkinson Winn, Patty Jane Eliason Barber, Nila Weeks Murray, Wayne Hall, Ray Hunting and Calvin Murray. |