The official World Youth Day delegation from the Archdiocese of Seattle arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, July 31. World Youth Day starts Aug. 1 and concludes with an Aug. 6 Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
More than 100 youth, young adults, seminarians and others from the Archdiocese of Seattle made the pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day 2023, held Aug. 1-6. Pope Francis joined more than 400,000 pilgrims from around the world.
Afterward, we asked some of our local pilgrims: What was the most powerful experience for you at World Youth Day?
Read their responses below, and below that, revisit the reports of local pilgrims and their experiences during the event.
What was the most powerful experience for you at World Youth Day?
My most powerful moment about World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, was waiting for the pope. It was a surreal experience seeing so many people gathered together in one faith and to simply be the pope’s presence will always be a blessing to me and an experience I will never forget.” Emmanuel Ramirez Banda Junior, Ingraham High School Christ the King Parish, Seattle
World Youth Day in Portugal was a transformative experience for me. The last two days of World Youth Day gave me the most powerful experience of spiritual growth. Walking down a highway alongside a million diverse people in scorching heat, tested my patience, body, and faith. The shared experience with others left me with a stronger connection to my faith. Peter Tuan Pham, 19 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
The most powerful experience for me during World Youth Day was the day of waiting for the pope to arrive. I found it amazing seeing all the different groups of people coming together singing and dancing waiting for the Pope. It really showed the unity between everyone and that we are all together through Christ. Elijah Wu Senior, O’Dea High School St. Anthony Parish, Renton
Adoration at the night of the main event with Pope Francis on Saturday night. Despite the challenges and troubles during the pilgrim hike to a section, the moment of silence during adoration was the most powerful silence of reverence I’ve ever experienced with 1.5 million people adoring Christ. There were hundreds of different languages spoken, but the common language of prayer was enough for me to experience God in that moment. Daniel Cao, 28 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
The most powerful experience I felt on this trip was when we were in Lisbon for the pope’s opening ceremony. Whenever I looked around, I was reminded of the fact that we were only a small part of this huge sea of people from many different countries. I was in awe of the scale of our faith. The people there were only a small representation of what the world is. Tomasthien Nguyen, 19 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
Nothing is more powerful than being in a crowd of one million people, all united by the same faith and love for God. Watching people from all different parts of the world interact with one another with nothing but amiability, you can’t help but feel inspired to live the same way. World Youth Day gave me the opportunity to broaden my perspective of the world and see the unique ways God has and continues to work in each one of our lives. Vyvy Nguyen Senior, Kennedy Catholic High School St. Anthony Parish, Renton
The word “catholic” means universal. While I was lying on the field in preparation for our send-off Mass, I looked up at the stars and got goosebumps; I was lying on a field with 1.5 million fellow Catholics, and we were all united with one goal — to experience Jesus. To see people all over the world united with one purpose reminds me how great our God is and that we truly are universal. Dominic Do, 19 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
WYD was profoundly a transformative experience that is a testament of the unity of youth worldwide. The energy and enthusiasm across diverse languages and cultures created a powerful sense of belonging to a global community of faith. The highlight of my journey was undoubtedly the time spent with our host families in Batalha and Lisbon. Their warm hospitality and willingness to open their homes and hearts to us, sharing their culture and traditions, made me feel like a part of their own family. This experience has deepened my faith and reaffirmed my belief in the power of unity and love, and I'll forever cherish the memories created. Maili Tran, 19 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
The best part was the liveliness of the people around me. Everywhere I went there were groups of people around my age singing songs or chanting in their own languages. Whether it was in standing in the streets of Portugal, standing on a jam-packed train, or waiting in a line, there were groups of JMJ youth singing.
The journey to the final pilgrimage location was the most difficult part of it all.
The sun was burning my skin; the 100+ degree heat caused sweat to drip from my nose, and my energy was drained from marching in the streets while having to ration my water; I grew cranky and irritated at the situation we were in. Why am I even here? Will this be worth it? What is this all for? These thoughts took over my brain as I continued on the way to the campsite with the rest of the pilgrims.
Finally able to accept the circumstances, I tried to be present and aware of my surrounding. Upon observation, I heard pilgrims from Italy singing songs, pilgrims from Spain clapping, pilgrims from France chanting, and the pilgrims from Colombia dancing. Astonished at the energy and optimism of these groups, I thought, “How great is our God, to give them the energy and willpower to continue the pilgrimage with grace.”
From then on, I was inspired to try to make the best of my circumstances by offering it up to God. Every step that I took, every drop of water that was sipped, offering it up to God allowed me to make the most of my all experiences. Emily Nguyen, 20 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
The most impactful experience I had during this trip was during days in the diocese. In Leiria, a group of girls approached me and my sister, and before introducing themselves, they complimented us by saying how beautiful we are. One of the girls was Sofia, a girl from Portugal. We had a short conversation before my sister and I had to go but later that day at the concert, we ran into them again. As soon as I saw Sofia, the first thing she said to me was, “Can I give you a hug?” She embraced me with so much love and kindness, something that I will never forget. To some people, this is just a simple interaction, but to me, this represents how God brings people together and shows his love through those people. I truly saw God in everyone I met during world youth day, and that impacted me the most. Alyssa Ta, 16 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish
I think there’s two special moments that I wanna share from this trip, although this trip as a whole has been one heck of an experience.
The first moment was back in Batalha where I remember coming back and hearing Anh Can telling us [Beng’s band Unity] that we’ll be having a mini-set. My initial reaction was, “What? Do we even have the energy for it?” But after the set, it just felt unreal. But only did I get to “experience” music from my own band as I didn’t get to play but I was also able to help with hype crew, and also, this is big milestone for the band. We can technically say that we performed domestically (Houston, TX) and internationally.
Another more personal moment was our “walk” to the fields. I think this really tested not only my patience but also how I handle my own emotions and control of the heat because, not gonna lie, heat and exhaustion tend to get me, but for some reason, this one was a trial for me. During the walk, I saw aSon putted in his headphones on I also wanted to try. It’s been a while since I have headphones on for anything and for me, music was a good distraction. I decided to shuffle our PBN playlist, and the first song was “Unconditional” by Elevation Worship, which is a really hype song. In that moment, I kinda just let music / God take me away. It just felt like it was me and him, even though I’m walking with 2 million other people. Also in that moment, all my tiredness just kinda went away, and I felt like I was walking with God spiritually that highway bridge. It’s crazy how powerful music can united us not only with each other but also God. Jackie Beng, 19 Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Tukwila
One of the most profound experiences I had with our group at this 2023 WYD was seeing the thirst for goodness in our youth. The activities we had, whether in group or individual, supposed to foster their relationship with God such as visiting religious sites, learning the history in Balhalta Diocese and Lisbon, and attending Masses at various times. Additionally, I think the relationship we have and established in this pilgrimage is more pronounced in my observation of their desire for goodness. Never once I hear a complain for the long and difficult hike to Fatima. Enduring the intense heat the day before the closing Mass and looking out for each other helped me see the goodness already present in them and continue to grow beyond this WYD. A few had opened up to me their struggles in life, in self discovery, and in God and our religion express their desire to seek out the good and to live the good, It’s the source of hope and inspiration for me as a priest to see this in our youth. Father Anh Tran Priest administrator, St. Aloysius Parish, Buckley Archdiocese of Seattle associate vocations director
The most powerful experience for me after attending my first World Youth Day was when Pope Francis said one important message: “Don’t be afraid and God is always there for you” and what Bishop Robert Barron said during one of his talks was, “We as Catholics are the church and continue forever.” Michael Ho St. Stephen the Martyr Parish, Renton
Praying with some awesome Dominicans, Blessed Frassati’s climbing pickaxe and St. Thomas Aquinas’ skull were the most powerful. Both have taken a part in my formation as a lay Dominican and my young adult ministry. To be able to pick up the tool that took Frassati to new heights physically and spiritually, for him and those around him, made Frassati real and tangible. And it was unreal to be face to face with St. Thomas Aquinas, a saint who bridged faith and reason. Seeing him helped strengthen me in the mission of the salvation of souls. Gizelle Gando UW Newman Center Prince of Peace
Daily reports during World Youth Day
Aug. 8 — Fatima
(Courtesy Selena Abounader)
The pilgrims from the official Archdiocese of Seattle delegation made a pilgrimage to Fatima, where they attended Mass at the exact spot where Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917.
The statue of Mary is in the spot where Mary appeared to the three shepherd children of Fatima in 1917. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
They also saw the tombs of two of the children, Sts. Jacinta and Francisco, and their humble home, along with the home of the third child, Venerable Lucia.
The pilgrims obtained rosaries and souvenirs that were blessed by Father Justin Ryan, vocations director for the archdiocese. All the pilgrims got World Youth Day scapulars. They had a reflection on World Youth Day, then joined Fatima’s candlelight rosary procession with thousands of other pilgrims.
(Courtesy Selena Abounader)
This was the group’s last day in Portugal before returning home on Wednesday.
Aug. 7 — Monastery tours, singing seminarians
Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Seattle toured monasteries near Lisbon the day after World Youth Day concluded. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
With World Youth Day over, the official Archdiocese of Seattle delegation today took an hour’s bus ride from Lisbon to tour the Alcobaca Monastery and Batalha Monastery. At Alcobaca, pilgrims were treated to some of the archdiocese’s seminarians singing the Salve Regina, a cappella.
“The monasteries were breathtaking,” said Selena Abounader, social media specialist for the Archdiocese of Seattle and Northwest Catholic.
The group also made a stop at the beach. “Everyone (especially the youth) were so happy to have beach and swimming time to cool off from this 100-degree weather,” Abounader said.
Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Seattle World Youth Day delegation enjoy time near the beach. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
Aug. 6 — World Youth Day concludes
“We made it through the upper 90s yesterday and close to 100-degree heat today,” said Eric Tran, who is leading the group of 50 pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila.
“With over 1.5 million pilgrims and over 10,000 priests at the closing Mass, our church remains strong,” he said. “Our hope is the pilgrims will return home and continue to make it stronger by sharing their experiences with others in their community.”
“Pope Francis’ homily and message to our youth is clear,” Tran said. “ It is their time to shine, listen and be not afraid.” He expressed excitement that the young people had this experience “and we paved the way for them.”
For their final night in Lisbon, pilgrims from St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton and St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace “enjoyed an epically amazing dinner and shared the joy of WYD,” St. Pius pastor, Father Cal Christiansen said in an Instagram post.
(Courtesy Father Cal Christiansen)
(Courtesy Eric Tran)
Above and below: After spending Saturday night at Tejo Park, pilgrims rose for the World Youth Day closing Mass with Pope Francis.
(Courtesy Father Cal Christiansen)Getting ready for the final day are Father Thanh Dao, pastor of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila and Father Anh Tran, priest administrator of St. Aloysius Parish in Buckley, who also serves as the archdiocese’s associate vocations director for the Vietnamese community.
Priests from the Archdiocese of Seattle were among 10,000 priests, 700 bishops and 30 cardinals who concelebrated the Mass with Pope Francis.
Pictured are Father Ed White, left, pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton; Deacon Kyle Rink, seminarian for the archdiocese slated to be ordained next year; Father Cal Christiansen, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace; Father Justin Ryan, the archdiocese’s vocations director; and Father Cody Ross, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bellingham and chaplain of Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at Western Washington University in Bellingham. (Courtesy Father Cal Christiansen)
Aug. 5 — Vigil prayer service with the pope
Thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims await the arrival of Pope Francis for a Saturday evening vigil service. This is the view from the Archdiocese of Seattle’s official group spot. (Selena Abounader)
Pilgrims from the official Archdiocese of Seattle World Youth Day delegation walked nearly seven miles, taking about four hours, to get to Tagus Park, the site of Saturday night’s prayer vigil and eucharistic adoration with Pope Francis. The group watched adoration on a video screen and there was a lot of “beautiful music ... definitely very moving but also very chaotic,” said Selena Abounader, social media specialist for the Archdiocese of Seattle and Northwest Catholic.
It was the hottest day of the week so far, she said, and Sunday was expected to be even hotter. The archdiocese group was planning to sleep overnight at the park, awaiting the closing “Missioning Mass” with Pope Francis Sunday morning.
(Courtesy Father Cal Christiansen Instagram)
Our local pilgrims, including this group with Father Cal Christiansen of St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace, hiked today to “Campo da Graça” at Tagus Park for a prayer vigil and eucharistic adoration. Some pilgrims will camp outdoors overnight, waiting for the World Youth Day concluding “Missioning Mass” Sunday morning.
“Holding ya’ll in prayer,” Father Cal said in his Instagram post.
Pilgrims camped out overnight, awaiting the Sunday morning closing Mass with Pope Francis.
(Courtesy Eric Tran)
Aug. 4 — Day 4!
Mass with Bishop Schuster
(Courtesy Eric Tran)
Bishop Frank Schuster celebrated Mass for the large group of pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila at St. Joseph the Carpenter Church, built in 1663. Afterward, they had a short session with him in the hall next to the church. “It was beautiful,” said Eric Tran, who is leading the Vietnamese Martyrs pilgrims, also accompanied by their pastor, Father Thanh Dao, and Father Ahn Tran, the Archdiocese of Seattle’s associate vocations director for the Vietnamese community. Eric Tran shared these photos of the gathering after Mass:
Above: Bishop Frank Schuster talks to the Vietnamese Martyrs pilgrims as their pastor, Father Thanh Dao, left, looks on. Pictured in the doorway is Father Anh Tran, an associate vocations director for the Archdiocese of Seattle for the Vietnamese community who is journeying with the group. Father Tran is also priest administrator of St. Aloysius Parish in Buckley and Sts. Cosmas and Damian Mission in Orting. Below: the group gathers with Bishop Schuster under an ornate ceiling. (Photos courtesy Eric Tran)
History, the “pink street” and outdoor Mass
The official delegation from the Archdiocese of Seattle toured Lisbon, visiting two iconic sites, and ended the day with outdoor Mass celebrated by Father Justin Ryan, the archdiocese’s vocations director.
Deacon Kyle Rink’s short homily centered on the day’s feast of St. John Vianney, and “he asked us how we were going to carry what we experience here at World Youth Day back home with us when we return to our regular lives and aren’t surrounded by a million Catholics,” said Selena Abounader, social media specialist for the archdiocese and Northwest Catholic. He encouraged the pilgrims to soak in the next few days so they are extra “charged” to do that when they return home, she added.
The group’s sightseeing including stops at the Arco da Rua Augusta, a building erected to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after an earthquake in 1755, and the popular “pink street.” (See the photos below)
On Saturday, Aug. 5, with the city’s metro closed, the group will make a three-hour walking pilgrimage to the park where Pope Francis will preside at an evening vigil that includes prayer and eucharistic adoration. Abounader said the archdiocese’s pilgrims will sleep on the grounds overnight in anticipation of the World Youth Day Missioning Mass at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.
Above, the archdiocese pilgrims at Arco da Rua Augusta and below, on the “pink street.” (Photos courtesy Selena Abounader)
Aug. 3 — Pope Francis meets the pilgrims
Seeing Pope Francis up close
The pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Renton got a close look at Pope Francis as he arrived in the popemobile at the World Youth Day Welcome Ceremony Aug. 3. (Courtesy Vietnamese Martyrs Instagram)
(Courtesy Vietnamese Martyrs Instagram)
Pilgrims share their World Youth Day experiences
Hear from our local pilgrims on Day 3 of World Youth Day as they await the arrival of Pope Francis! (Interviews by Selena Abounader, social media specialist for the Archdiocese of Seattle and Northwest Catholic.) Read more here.
Pastor arrives!
Pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila welcomed their pastor, Father Thanh Dao, to World Youth Day!
Father Thanh Dao (second from right), pastor of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila, joined the pilgrims from his parish at World Youth Day. Also pictured are Father Anh Tran (second from left), an associate vocations director for the Archdiocese of Seattle, and Eric Tran (right), who is leading the group of 50 pilgrims from the parish. (Courtesy Eric Tran)
Aug. 2 — Day 2!
Pastries, Bishop Barron and eucharistic adoration
Bishop Robert Barron speaks to young people during an evening gathering on Day 2 of World Youth Day. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
The pilgrims from the archdiocese’s official delegation started Day 2 with Mass at Reconciliation Park in Belém, about 20 minutes from Lisbon. Besides 150 confessionals available, adoration was offered and there were rows of booths for vocations and nonprofits. The group had time to roam around, and some of the archdiocese pilgrims ran into the group from St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton and Father Cody Ross, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bellingham.
“We got Pastéis de Belém (a popular custard-filled pastry),” said Selena Abounader, the social media specialist for the Archdiocese of Seattle and Northwest Catholic.
Pilgrims stop for a bite to eat. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
Afterward, she said, the archdiocese group went to Bishop Robert Barron’s talk. “Some of us had a front-row seat,” and Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster was among the bishops on the stage who introduced themselves to the crowd.
Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Frank Schuster introduces himself on the stage before a talk by Bishop Robert Barron. Standing at left is Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg of Reno, Nevada, formerly an auxiliary bishop of Seattle. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
Bishop Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota and founder of the Word on Fire apostolate, is a well-known speaker and author. His talk was “very powerful,” Abounader said, recounting his words of encouragement to the young people present: “Find your mission, let Christ come to life in you, set your heart on fire, and then you will find joy and you will transfigure the world.”
A monstrance containing the Eucharist is carried through a crowd of pilgrims during a Holy Hour at World Youth Day. (Courtesy Selena Abounader)
The evening gathering for Bishop Barron’s talk “began with lots of energy, joy and excitement,” concluding with a Holy Hour of eucharistic adoration, she said.
The pilgrims’ days have been long — they’ve been leaving their lodging at 8 a.m. and returning after 11 p.m., Abounader said. They’ve been riding the metro and doing a lot of walking, with temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s, she added.
Meeting pilgrims from around the world
Pilgrims from St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace and St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton are meeting pilgrims from all over the world at World Youth Day, and even ran into our own Bishop Frank Schuster!
Aug. 1 — World Youth Day begins!
Four priests from the Archdiocese of Seattle stop for a selfie after the opening Mass for World Youth Day. Pictured are Father Cal Christiansen, left, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace; Father Ed White, pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton; Father Justin Ryan, vocations director for the archdiocese; and Father Cody Ross, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bellingham and chaplain for Newman Catholic Campus Ministry at Western Washington University. (Courtesy Father Cody Ross)
Mass with Bishop Schuster
Below, pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Seattle delegation gathered after a morning Mass with Bishop Frank Schuster at Sao Jose do Carpinteiros Church in Lisbon.
(Courtesy Selena Abounader)
Sharing a message in English and Spanish for World Youth Day
Father Cal Christiansen, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, shared a message in English and Spanish on Instagram for the beginning of World Youth Day.
“It’s been an amazing experience so far,” Father Cal said. “World Youth Day for me is a reminder of the four marks of the church, that our church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. One church, one faith — think of all the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of young people who are here, that we all share that one faith in Christ, one faith in the Eucharist, one faith in the Holy Spirit.”
“We’re praying for each one of you and please keep us in your prayers.”
July 31
Watch this video highlighting the experiences of the pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila during their stay in Batalha, Portugal, before heading to Lisbon for World Youth Day:
The Vietnamese Martyrs pilgrims wrapped up their days in Batalha with a morning Mass at St. Anthony Church (photo below).
“Everyone is soaking in this experience and excited for Father Thanh (Dao, their pastor) to join the group in two days,” said Eric Tran, who is leading the group of 50 pilgrims.
Some of the pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Tukwila join Father Anh Tran, an associate vocations director for the Archdiocese of Seattle, for a morning Mass at St. Anthony Church in Batalha, Portugal, before heading to Lisbon for World Youth Day. (Courtesy Eric Tran)
The official World Youth Day delegation from the Archdiocese of Seattle arrived in Lisbon July 31. Pilgrims in the group “have expressed excitement for seeing the pope, meeting new people and going to Fatima,” the site of 1917 Marian appearances to three shepherd children, said Selena Abounader, social media specialist for the archdiocese and Northwest Catholic.
(Courtesy Selena Abounader)
July 30
Father Cal Christiansen, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace, was with the combined St. Pius X/St. Stephen the Martyr, Renton, group in Lisbon. He posted this video on Instagram:
The Archdiocese of Seattle group gathered at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport early July 30 for their flights to Lisbon. The seminarians, accompanied by vocations director Father Justin Ryan, were scheduled to leave later in the day.
(Courtesy Selena Abounader)
July 29
The group from St. Stephen the Martyr/St. Pius X made a pilgrimage to Fatima, where they visited the homes of the three shepherd children of Fatima, St. Francisco, St. Jacinta and Venerable Lucia. “Please pray for these and all young people at WYD and we continue to pray for each of you,” Father Cal Christiansen, pastor of St. Pius X, wrote in his Instagram post.
July 28
The pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish joined thousands of young people in a candlelight procession in their host city of Batalha, about 90 miles from Lisbon.
The JMJ stands for Jornada Mundial da Juventude, which is World Youth Day in Portuguese. (Photo Courtesy Eric Tran)
July 27
For the early days of its pilgrimage leading up to World Youth Day, the group from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish was hosted at Batalha, Portugal, “a beautiful and welcoming community.” Batalha is about 90 miles from Lisbon.
(Courtesy Eric Tran)
The group from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish starts their pilgrimage in Fatima
July 26
The combined group from St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace and St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Renton arrived in Lisbon, then traveled to Fatima, where a nighttime Mass was celebrated by Father Cody Ross, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bellingham; Father Cal Christensen, pastor of St. Pius X; and Father Ed White, pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr.
Fathers Cody Ross, Cal Christensen and Ed White celebrate Mass during the first night in Fatima for the St. Pius X/St. Stephen the Martyr group. Photo: Courtesy frcalchristiansen Instagram
At nearly 29,000 pilgrims, the U.S. has the fifth-largest delegation expected at World Youth Day. More than 100 of those U.S. pilgrims are from the Archdiocese of Seattle. Pictured at Sea-Tac Airport July 25, below, are some of the pilgrims from Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, as they prepared to catch their flight to Europe. Read more here.
Photo: Courtesy Eric Tran
July 23
Members of the official delegation from the Archdicoese of Seattle received a blessing and sendoff from Father Tom Belleque, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Renton. Below, members of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish delegation pose with their pastor, Father Thanh Dao, after their send-off Mass. Father Dao will join the group in Lisbon.
(Courtesy St. Anthony Parish Facebook)(Courtesy Eric Tran)
