LUKE O’Connor will be travelling to World Youth Day in Toronto, armed with more than his Bible, luggage and sunscreen.
He will also be taking a flag designed for him by students at St Flannan’s School, Zillmere.
Luke, 30, will be represent his parish, St Flannan’s, in the celebrations at the end of this month.
‘I held a competition at St Flannan’s School for Year 6 and 7 students to design a flag for me to take to World Youth Day,’ said Luke.
‘I gave them some criteria. It had to have the school motto ‘Love and Truth’ on it somewhere,’ he said.
‘And it also had to have the words ’50 years’ on it to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the establishment of the parish.’
St Flannan’s student Tara Solomon won the competition with her colourful design.
‘I’m also asking parishioners to sign the flag which I will then take over to Toronto with me,’ said Luke.
For the past few months, Luke has been busy fundraising for his trip.
He has organised a sausage sizzle, car wash and the students at St Flannan’s held a free dress day to raise money for his trip.
‘I have received about $1000 from the parish and the school communities,’ he said.
Luke said he believed World Youth Day would deepen his faith and he wanted to share the experience with his parish.
‘I want to put it to use in serving the parish,’ said Luke.
‘I hope to write for the parish magazine Shalom and possibly get up and speak about my experiences at Mass.’
It will be the second time Luke has seen the Pope.
‘I received a blessing from him at Brisbane Airport in 1986.
‘I said what everyone else was saying, ‘Welcome Holy Father’,’ said Luke.
‘This time, I’ll probably be seeing him from 2km away!’
Luke will jet off on July 14 with Bishop of Rockhampton, Brian Heenan and other pilgrims and will spend about a week seeing Canada.
‘Bishop Heenan used to be the parish priest at St Flannan’s years ago and he confirmed me,’ said Luke.
‘He went to school with my father and knows my family really well.’
The Queensland pilgrims will stay in a Toronto hostel close to all the World Youth Day action. It will be Luke’s first trip to Canada.
