September 21, 2015 // Local

On the road to Philadelphia: Are we there yet

Todays Catholic

ON-THE-ROAD TO PHILADELPHIA — “Are we there yet?” is often a phrase many parents can attest they will hear from their young children as they anticipate an exciting vacation. That is probably the same anticipation many of the families are experiencing Sept. 21 as they venture to the World Meeting of Families, which begins in Philadelphia on Sept. 22.

For Mike and Rebecca, traveling with their son Gregory, the road venture meant a stop at a helicopter museum. As they drove through Pennsylvania, they started to see signs indicating something great would happen: “Pope visit to Philadelphia, Sept. 26-27, followed by “Expect delays, find alternate routes.”

But one sign in particular caught the attention of Rebecca. It read “Great cities attract great leaders,” with Pope Francis smiling and waving.

The family also stopped by the King of Prussia Mall and even found a “photo opp” with Pope Francis, at least the cardboard version.

All in a day’s drive from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

For the Reidy family of Our Lady of Good Hope Parish in Fort Wayne, the trip through Pennsylvania included a stop at Hershey. They left Fort Wayne at the early hour of 4:45 a.m. and arrived in Hershey eight hours later.

“We walked to the Hershey Museum and the Hershey Chocolate World for a tour of the factory,” Jeremy reported. “Now we are settled into our hotel for the evening. We will leave for Philadelphia bright and early tomorrow. We want to be sure to arrive for Bishop Robert Barron’s session ‘Living as the Image of God: Created for Joy and Love’ at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.”

“We’re enjoying our time together and getting excited about arriving at the World Meeting of Families,” he said.