 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
A group of Catholic students in Arkansas are headed to see the Pope in Washington, DC.
Nearly 75 students and chaperone's boarded buses Wednesday afternoon to be a part of Pope Benedict XVI (web|news|bio) ’s first visit to the United States.
Christie Powell, youth director at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and School in Pulaski County, says as soon as she heard about the visit several months back, she was determined to take her youth group--regardless of whether they could secure tickets.
She thought the group would be ticket-less, taking their chances on seeing the Holy Father--until two weeks ago. She says securing those tickets was nothing short of a miracle.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Joel Weigle, along with his mom, Monica, and members of the group are embarking on what they say is the trip of a lifetime.
(Joel Weigle. Youth Group Member) "Not many people get to see the Pope or even get to visit the nation’s capital."
(Monica Weigle, Youth Group Chaperone) "I realized the magnitude of it yesterday, when I was watching him live and meeting with President Bush (web|news|bio) . And I thought, 'Wow, I'm actually going to be there--we're leaving tomorrow, I can't believe it.’"
Youth director Christie Powell says she can't believe the group has tickets to one of the official events in Washington.
(Christie Powell, Youth Director) "We raised all this money and didn't have ticket one. Next thing I knew, they called and said, ’Christie, we have tickets for your whole group.’"
Just what the group had been praying for all along.
(Powell) “I just fell apart. I was so excited, I said, "Thank you, God. He heard our plea, and we're gonna see him!’"
The group will travel all night Wednesday, arriving in Washington, DC at about 7:00 a.m. Thursday. They're set to return home Sunday.
Channel 7 News to leave comments on news stories.