The GO Class of 2024-2025 traveled from their native countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia) and arrived on Thursday, August 8 at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport where they were met by GO staff and volunteers to begin their GO year in Wisconsin and Nebraska. The "yellow school bus" traveled from Chicago to a favorite stop (Culver's) for an evening meal and then made its way to Neenah where the students were welcomed by their arrival (temporary) host families. After spending a couple of days with their arrival host families, the students participated in a five-day new student / arrival orientation at Mount Tabor Retreat Center. The orientation continues to build on the information provided during Summer Camp, preparing the students for life in U.S.A., i.e., living with an American family, attending an American Catholic high school, participating in the life of their parish and in their community while also getting to know each other - growing together as a class and learning how to be "young, dynamic, Catholic servant leaders". Highlights included daily Mass, morning and evening prayer, volunteering at Paul's Pantry, visiting the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, an All-American Picnic Supper at Bay Shore Park, enjoying a pizza lunch courtesy of Cranky Pat's, Neenah YMCA and performing a talent show. On their final day of orientation, the long-waited for "in-person" meeting of their host families became a reality during Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Community followed by a pot luck supper. Orientation came to a close with a new beginning on its heels for the students as they traveled to their family's home.
Our deepest gratitude to our many volunteers who hosted, prepared meals, provided transportation and chaperoning services, offered their wisdom as presenters, and completed sports physicals. You graced our days through your sharing of time, talent, and treasures and made our 2024-2025 GO Class arrival days in America a blessed and successful experience. Thank You!
Mid-Year Gathering 2025 will welcome 23 GO Students back to Mount Tabor from February 6-8. Mid-Year Gathering gives the students an opportunity to share their experiences and their hopes for the remainder of their year in America, more clearly and confidently identify, define, and commit to a Servant Leadership project/activity, spend time together in prayer, and begin to discuss transitioning from life in America and preparing to return to their native country, family, friends, and schools.
Mid-Year Gathering concludes with Taste of Europe - a "scholarship fundraising" evening on Saturday, February 18, 2025. Monies raised through the Silent Auction, European Dessert Shoppe, and "Buy a Bag of Treats for a Chance to Win" supports the following years GO students who apply for scholarship monies to particpate in the GO program. Taste of Europe also offers attendees the opportunity to attend Mass with the students, their host families, GO supporters and friends, enjoy foods from the student's countries as well as amazing entertainment provided by the GO students.