World Youth Day USA Guides Stateside Pilgrimage Leaders Guide | Page 42
experiencing Catholicism from a different
After the Event
culture, feeling a part of a large-Church
Like many retreat experiences, once the
experience, meeting new people, or going to
“high” wears away, it can be difficult to see or
Mass with peers? Utilize the answer to this
feel the effect afterward. So much of the
question in the choices you make regarding
international experience of World Youth Day
the language and images you use when
is sharing the story and experience so as to
communicating about the event.
live differently. It is also important to connect
the stateside pilgrims with those who traveled
When marketing the stateside gathering,
overseas for the international event.
explore communication structures that exist
already in your parish, region, or diocese such
You are highly encouraged to use the
as newspapers, websites, bulletins, Facebook,
resources in this guide focusing on equipping
Twitter, and Instagram. Ask yourself, “How
pilgrims in the weeks and months afterwards.
can we ensure there is a presence on every
This will help to encourage the young people
local Catholic platform (bulletin, website,
to truly take this event into their daily lives
social media, newspaper, particular group
and become missionary disciples.
email lists, pulpit announcements)?” “What
resources can you create to distribute to local
Even though World Youth Day is not offered
parishes (event postcards, flyers, etc.)?”
frequently, it is critically important to offer an
opportunity for an event evaluation. You can
Marketing Questions
either provide hard-copy evaluation sheets or
offer a link to an online survey sent to the
What is the key draw for our
audience?
pilgrims in the days following the stateside
gathering. Either way, be sure to get that
What images and words reflect the
key draw?
input. An evaluation or survey can help you
and other event planners for future local
events and pilgrimages. It will also be helpful
What venues can we use to market
the event?
in looking further into the future to the next
World Youth Day gathering. Perhaps this
event will inspire your local community to
Who has the talents and resources
to help us market the event?
host an annual celebration of young people,
and the evaluations can assist with that.
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