The Diocese of Kalamazoo is sponsoring a pilgrimage July 8 – 23, 2008 for those who wish to participate in World Youth Day 2008.

General Information

Registration: Limited to 60 people. $250 non-refundable deposit must be received by Sept. 23, 2007 to hold spot. To register with the diocesan pilgrimage, participants can sign-up through their local parish contact. If there is no parish contact person, contact Lisa Irwin. Please make checks payable to Diocese of Kalamazoo. Further details will be sent after registration is completed. Minimum of 20 pilgrims is required.

Cost: Approximately $3,000**. Includes WYD registration and mandatory solidarity fee, transportation (airfare and ground transportation in New Zealand and Australia), housing (7/10- 20 simple accommodation provided by WYD; evenings of 7/20-22 probably a hotel/hostel), most meals (meals on travel days and excursion days are NOT included), t-shirt, emergency medical and health insurance for pilgrims aged 16 – 35, excursion days (these details are being finalized).

** Final cost will be determined after airline tickets have been reserved and other details have been finalized. It is hoped that we will be able to lower the cost at that time.

Payment Schedule
Initial deposit September 23, 2007 $250 non-refundable
First payment November 15, 2007 $700
Second payment January 15, 2008 $700
Third payment March 15, 2008 $700
Final payment May 15, 2008 $650**
**May be adjusted depending on final costs of tickets and excursion

Scholarships: Scholarships may be available. If scholarship money becomes available participants will be notified of application deadline. If you or your parish would like to offer financial support to a fellow pilgrim, please contact Lisa Irwin, Associate Director, Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Initiation, at (269) 349- 8714 x228 or lirwin@dioceseofkalamazoo.org.

Cancellations/substitutions: The initial $250 deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations received Jan. 20 – April 15, 2008 will incur an additional $300 penalty. After April 15, 2008 no refunds will be given. However, a space may be substituted. Substitutions must be made in writing and all participants must complete registration forms and present full documentation to attend. Deadline for substitutions is April 15, 2008.

Passport/Visas: A valid passport is required. Since the application process is currently taking up to four months, apply for your passport NOW! If you need to renew your passport you should also do that NOW. US Citizens also require an Australian visa. This visa is free when applied for through the WYD registration process. US Citizens do not require a visa for New Zealand. If you are not a US citizen you will need to consult the Australian and New Zealand consulates to determine visa requirements. Participants assume complete and full responsibility for, and release the Diocese of Kalamazoo from
any responsibility for checking and verifying, any and all identification, passport, visa, or other entry requirements of each destination and transit point and the costs incurred.

Special Needs: Arrangements will be made for persons with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in all events.

Health insurance: Every participant MUST have health insurance. (The WYD registration includes emergency medical insurance for all registered pilgrims.)