The following is the text of a memorandum from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio to deans, pastors, administrators, ethnic apostolates, campus ministers and youth ministers.

It is my pleasure to announce that the Diocese of Brooklyn has contracted the services of Peter’s Way Tours Inc. to assist us with our arrangement for World Youth Day, Poland. The Opening Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2016 and the Closing Mass with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is on Sunday, July 31, 2016.

As in the past, it is my wish that any group making arrangements to travel to Poland should be doing so with the Diocesan Contingent and traveling with their Bishop. In addition to having a unified presence traveling together, I would like to remind you of some essential requirements. In keeping with the norms of the Office of Safe Environment, each pilgrim and chaperone must be screened by that office prior to travel.

Traveling with the Diocese of Brooklyn also ensures that your group is covered through the Parish Service Corporation. Also, only those pilgrims traveling with the official diocesan contingent will be eligible for scholarships offered by the Futures in Education Foundation.

To that end, we have scheduled an information night for group leaders to be held at St. Sebastian’s Parish Center on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

I have asked Father Gerard Sauer, Diocesan Director of Pilgrimages, to schedule this meeting after the completion of his site inspection in Poland so that he may give you first-hand information. He will be joined at the meeting by Paul Morisi from the Office of Faith Formation and representatives from Peter’s Way travel who have already secured space in Poland.

In the meantime, you may contact Father Sauer at St. Mel’s Rectory at 718-886-0201 or Paul Morisi at 718-965-7300, ext. 5556, should you have any questions.

Please know that I appreciate your continued support as we begin to prepare for World Youth Day, Poland in 2016.