I have received many telephone calls and e-mails, and even face-to-face conversations (in this techno age, ever more rare) in which people ask me a few things about Trailblazers’ plans for WYD 2011 in Madrid. So here are some FAQ’s, with some snapshot answers:

1. Why has Trailblazers not posted the amount which they will charge each pilgrim for the trip?
 
            Because we’re honest.

The fact is that no one knows any prices yet. Why? Because most of what the pilgrims will need to pay is their plane ticket. Now, airlines can’t offer real prices on plane tickets until 11 months before the departure of any flight. Therefore, we cannot know any real offers until mid-September, meaning that by end-September we will have negotiated all the final details.

Pilgrims should keep in mind that fuel surcharges and taxes vary until the ticket is actually purchased (that should be 90 days or so before we depart) independent of any offer that was made.

            Groups that are putting exact prices on the trip at this point in time are guaranteed to be gouging the pilgrims. They overcharge, so that no matter how much the plane ticket cost fluctuates, they’ll always make a profit… off of you, the pilgrim.

Trailblazers has always had a tight budget, for the simple reason that we charge costs, and make many sacrifices to keep the costs as low as possible. We have always had the most inexpensive, but most rewarding, pilgrimage to the various World Youth Days.

2. How come there’s not a lot of information about WYD 2011 on the Trailblazers web site? 

            The essentials, of course, are there, and have been for months. (Click here to see.) The schedules of World Youth Day proper are on, obviously, the World Youth Day web site (see them here). Those two links alone, in fact, provide a rather ample view of what we’ll be doing.

More details are being negotiated, and much depends on our group size… which will grow and grow through the fall and winter (and a few late-comers in Spring, if we can accommodate them). As details become finalized over the next months, little by little they’ll be posted on the web site, and included in the Compass.

3. Are there any forms to fill out?

            Yes, and only recently have we had them reviewed by a fine Catholic lawyer to make sure everything is foreseen and worded properly. The only reason they’re not on line as of now is that there are other urgent matters; but the forms will be posted in pdf form in the near future.

4. We’re fund raising; can donors consider their donations tax-exempt? 

            Yes, only if they make the donations for you directly to us. If they give you donations, they can’t. Every dollar, of course, donated to us for you (or you and your friends, if you’re fund raising in a group – which I highly recommend), will go directly to pay your fees for your participation in WYD.

            As a youth group organized under my parish, Trailblazers qualifies for the 501c3 tax exemptions. We’re hoping to establish ourselves, one day, as an independent 501c3, but it’s a lot of work. I have been working on it, in fact, for years, and am desperately hoping for aid in this area – a great project for a qualified layman who wants to do some real work for Christ, the Church and young Catholics.

5. Are there still volunteer positions open?

            Certainly! In fact, I’m very eager to acquire the help of some zealous volunteers. But remember, it’s volunteering for real work. That means commitment of time, and a resolve to see the thing through from now until at least a month after we return from Spain.

            What kind of positions are open?

            I’m most eager to fill one position: that of an administrative assistant. This is the same position who certain great souls filled, whom some of you probably remember fondly: Amy McGuckin, Julissa Vazquez, Lauren Henderson, Gina Nuculai and Rachel Spencer. I have always wanted a permanent hired position here, but Trailblazers really can’t afford it quite yet. Part of this job would be to help raise funds with which to pay a salary. A paid position would insure stability; college students often need employment for income, and therefore if having a job plus doing Trailblazers on the side would be too much demand on one’s time, making Trailblazers one’s job would kill two birds in one stone.

            There are plenty of other areas in which we need more assistance: the web site needs continual updating, and editor for the Compass, a fund raiser, someone to help with printed materials and/or logo-ized clothing. The list goes on and on. If you have a talent or skill, and want to volunteer, let me know and I have no doubt we can get you involved in a fruitful way.

            Well, that’s a little update for now. I hope you found it informational. The preparation for WYD is going on full steam ahead here at Trailblazers, while we gear up to meet the Pope – and more than a million other young Catholics from around the world! – in Madrid, Spain!

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            If you are interested in learning about some saint, event, cultural phenomenon, person or place in Spain, with at Catholic light shone upon it, please let the Trailblazers team know! (Use the e-mail addresses below, or the "Contact us" page.) 

           Trailblazers is always looking for authors. Would you like to volunteer for an article about Catholic Spain? We would love to hear from you! Please contact us (see previous paragraph).