ARISE for Youth Urban Holy Places of Lower Manahattan Retreat

ARISE for youth Retreat Day
Tours "Holy Places of Lower Manhattan"

On June 5, 2010 ARISE for youth participants from St. Augustine Parish in the Bronx, NY were treated to a tour of several "Holy Places of Lower Manhattan." Each armed with a single-use camera , the group traveled by bus and subway (which some of the young people had never before ridden) to lower Manhattan to visit selected sacred sites. At some, they heard commentary from site staff members, and at others RENEW International staff or St. Augustine parish staff and chaperones spoke about the history and/or religious significance of the location. A prayer service was held at the African Burial Ground where all placed flowers on the burial mounds, and crosses from El Salvador were blessed and distributed. The day was capped off by a ride on the Staten Island Ferry.


Youth from St. Augustine Parish in Bronx, NY listen as Msgr. Ahern shares stories and pictures of the work of Holy Name Center for Homeless Men in Lower Manhattan.	Sr. Mary Ann Scherer of Transfiguration Parish describes the parish's statue of Our Lady of China.	A US National Parks Ranger explains the African Burial Ground Monument in Manhattan
RENEW International

Youth experiencing the African Burial Ground National Monument.	Adult chaperones and youth gather for a photo in front of the African Burial Ground Monument the midpoint of their retreat.	St. Augustine Parish youth enjoy a trip on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at the end of the Holy Places of Lower Manhattan Retreat.