Welcome! Here you will find everything you need to know about our student ministry pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to lead my first pilgrimage. I thank everyone for their support, prayers, and financial help.
If anyone would like to help us prepare or donate to our funds, please email me: media@jp2parish.org"

                                        Jonathan Molik
                                        Youth Minister

Meet the Team

My name is John Cmok. I am currently a senior at Frontier High School. I plan on going to either Kent State or University at Buffalo for nursing. I teach a second grade religion class and often volunteer around the community. I am a varsity wrestler and I also play the clarinet. I am involved with many clubs within school such as National Honor Society, International club and UB Bioinformatics. To further develop my connection and involvement with the church I made mission almost 6 years ago and have been going every year since. A pilgrimage to Portugal is a life changing experience and I hope that trip will continue to strengthen my love for the lord.
My name is JT Syta. I am currently a Junior at Saint Francis High School, where I am a Paduan Scholar, President of National Honor Society, member of Campus Ministry, Band member, Jazz Messengers member, and a member of our new Diversity Initiative. On top of my three AP courses and 3 honors classes, I work outside of school everyday at Defensive Arts Dojo in Hamburg, where I teach children ages 2-16 all different types of martial arts. I personally train in Isshin-Ryu Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Therien Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Okinawan Kobudo. My love of children expands to the parish community where I am a 2nd Grade Catechist. Within the parish, I also lector at masses, volunteer, and I am a part of the Mission team. I have decided to go to World Youth Day 2022 in Portugal because I think it is so important for young people like myself to witness the Catholic faith professed by other young people. I sometimes think that teens leave the Church because they don’t see their peers there, but World Youth Day provides an opportunity to see those peers from all over the world. I went to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. this year, and the youth rally I attended was filled with 15-20,000 young people who were all praying the rosary and participating in Mass together. Moments like this make me so happy, and I realize that there are others who love God like I do. I cannot wait to travel to Portugal and connect with myself, my friends, and most importantly...our God, who is inherently good.
​My name is Elayna DiPasqua and I’m currently a sophomore at Frontier High School. I love teaching faith formation at my church, and being able to share my faith in God with others. I’m always willing to learn more about my faith and strengthen my relationship with God, my family and my friends. When I heard I was invited to travel to World Youth Day, I was so grateful and I truly believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Hi, my name is Dan Novak and I’m currently a senior at Frontier High School. I’m is actively involved at my school, taking any role I can. I have been in school dramas since 5th grade, played trumpet and been in chorus since 4th grade. I am also class president, a member of ethos club, and a soccer referee. I would love to go to World Youth Day 2022 because I’d love to connect with people my age about my faith, especially from different parts of the world. I’ve also never been outside of the US, and I’d love to travel the world as much as I can, and mixing that with my faith seems like the best opportunity for me. Thank you for your support!