Two Orange Teens to Make Pilgrimage to Rio in July

Ronald Petrillo a sophomore at Notre Dame and Cynthia Celone, a sophomore at Amity High School are the first two students from Holy Infant Church to attend a World Youth Day event. In fact, they are the only two who will be going from this part of Connecticut. World Youth Day is an international pilgrimage in which Catholic youths can explore their faith with millions of other youths from around the world. WYD is a worldwide encounter with the Pope and is celebrated every two years in a different country. This year's event will be in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. www.rio2013.com/en

Ronald and Cynthia have been preparing both spiritually and physically for this experience. They been active in speaking at masses, attending meetings, and participating in fundraising efforts for World Youth Day. They will participate in various activities including music, prayer, and reconciliation opportunities. WYD will end with a 40 mile hike to a field where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass. Ronald and Cynthia are currently collecting prayer petitions to take with them on this journey. Petitions can be dropped off at entrances of Holy Infant Church or emailed to the youth coordinator at holyinfantyouthgroup@yahoo.com

Ronald Petrillo is active in many extracurricular activities.  He is passionate about playing ice hockey, being a member of the track team and working out.  Playing travel hockey, he had the opportunity to play in a pee wee international hockey tournament in Quebec, where the team won the division championship.  In addition for his passion for sports, Ronald also volunteered at Holy Infant Church and currently volunteers at the St Mary’s Church soup kitchen. 

Cynthia is also actively involved in many extracurricular activities. She is passionate and dedicated to the arts, and is a member of the National Art Honor Society. In middle school, she was honored to receive the Jamie A. Hulley Art Award for visual art design. She also played the piano for seven years under Doreen Aiardo, and was a member of the Amity High School Varsity Dance Team. Cynthia is the Youth Representative on the Holy Infant Pastoral Council.

            In addition to her love of the visual arts, Cynthia has been dancing for eleven years, is a soloist with the New England Ballet Company in Orange, CT, and studies classical ballet with Lisa Denaro. She has had the privilege of attending summer ballet intensives at The American Ballet Theater in both New York City and Austin, TX, the Joffrey Ballet in New York City, and also The Burklyn Ballet Theater in Vermont. As a member of the New England Ballet Company, she has performed in numerous benefits, fundraisers, and in various elementary schools for the purpose of exposing and educating young children in the arts.

The Youth Group is currently seeking sponsors for the Pilgrimage. The Sponsorship Program asks for a $25 donation. With these donations the students will purchase a set of Rosary beads for you, have them blessed by Pope Francis, and present them to you during a reception upon their return. During the reception, they will share a slideshow of their adventure. Ronald and Cynthia are asking all supporters to sign their banner so they can take your prayers and messages with them. If you are interested in sponsoring Ronald and Cynthia or you would like more information, please contact Heather at 203 710 2030 or email us at holyinfantyouthgroup@yahoo.com