In November 2004, Paul and Cecile Charlebois, who are leaders in the Emmanuel Community in Canada, and who regularly attend the Sunday evening 7:00 mass at Holy Spirit Parish, suggested that Spirit of the Cross submit their first CD (produced in 2002) to the International Committee for World Youth Day. We had one CD left. Brent sent it in. One month later, we received word that we had been invited to sing at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, August, 2005. The official invitation arrived before Christmas. Choir members were stunned, thrilled, humbled, excited, and overcome with feelings of inadequacy, all at once. A decision had to be made. The excitement won the day, and here we are, fund-raising like crazy, organizing details, and now, finally, getting ready to simply focus on music and prayer. We look forward to the prayerful gatherings with the Emmanuel Community in preparation for WYD. We look forward to gathering with young people from all over the world in Cologne, Germany. May God be glorified in all we are and all we do. We humbly thank Him for the grace and gifts He has offered us. Amen.
 
*** Scroll down and click on the thumbnail images to meet the WYD choir ***

Anita Verlangen	Brent Blazieko	Camille Hounjet
Chelsea Mahan	Chris Fehr	David Buttinger
Dean Pasloski	John Sanche	Katie Nichol
Louise Bitz	Pam Buttinger	Simone Charlebois