Catholics to attend World Youth Day

About 70 people from the Diocese of Lexington will attend World Youth Day next week in Sydney, Australia.
But for those who can't be there, Lexington radio personality Leo Brown will broadcast his daily program, Diocese Live!, from Sydney. The program is heard on RealLife radio, 1380-AM, from 3:10 to 4 p.m. EDT
Brown will also record Pilgrim Podcasts, experiences of World Youth Day participants; blog about his own experiences; and upload photos. All the features will appear on www.realliferadio.com
”It's big stuff trying to make this broadcast happen,“ said Brown, 39.
World Youth Day is actually six days of activity, beginning July 15 with daily Mass, catechesis (teaching) and programs promoting the universality of the Catholic church. The event concludes July 20, when Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
This year's event is expected to draw 125,000 international visitors to Australia. Most will range from their teens to 40.
The Lexington contingent, which included Bishop Ronald W. Gainer, departed last weekend for Auckland, New Zealand, where they will meet Catholics in the city and work on a service project before going to Sydney.


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WHAT THE IPHONE IS DOING TO WORLD YOUTH DAY

The 2011 World Youth Day will be much like its precedents -- "a party that the Holy Father convokes" -- but the role that networking will play in the event is sure to give it a special flair, according to its director of communications.

Santiago de la Cierva, founder and director of the "Rome Reports" TV agency and a professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, was asked by the host of '11 Youth Day, Madrid's archbishop, Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, to be the director of communications.

De la Cierva said the first thing that came to his mind in response was, "Is there no one else?" But, kidding aside, the communications professor admitted these kinds of opportunities are like trains that pass by: "Someone tells you, 'get on board,' and with a little faith, one can realize that even though it makes your life more complicated, though there are obviously no free evenings, no weekends or vacations … deep down you realize that it's worth it."

De la Cierva says leading communication for World Youth Day will be "a fantastic adventure."

"My hair is going to go gray," he declared, "but it will be worth it because this is very much in the heart of the Church and the youth do not have many opportunities to say 'The Church is mine.'"

ZENIT spoke with de la Cierva about the challenges of World Youth Day communication and what can be expected of the Pope when it comes to reaching out to youth with their own style of communication.

ZENIT: What will be special about Madrid 2011, compared to previous World Youth Days?

De la Cierva: Madrid 2011 will have nothing new compared to the other events, except the location, the historical moment, the hopes to do very well, everything that comes with having it in a country like Spain that has 2,000 years of Christianity and where the very stones ooze the faith, ooze a centuries-old tradition. This is what will make of Madrid 2011 a very special World Youth Day.

Taking into account that we are in Europe, at the end of Europe, but Europe nonetheless, we calculate that more than a million people will come. We will probably try to reach what happened here in Rome in the year 2000, but that doesn't depend on us.

I think the particularity of the World Youth Day in Madrid is going to be precisely that it takes place in a country that has always been faithful to the Catholic Church. It is a country that has transmitted the faith to many continents; the majority of the Catholics of the whole world speak Spanish precisely because they have been evangelized by Spaniards, and we would like to recover this missionary spirit. Sometimes missionaries are thought of as older people who went to preach to foreign lands, but no, the missionaries were under 25. We would like to recover this spirit and present it to the youth of today.

Another characteristic of the Madrid World Youth Day will be networks. For the first time, we are going to have a World Youth Day in which really the fundamental means of communication will be the Internet, the social networks, not only as information but also as communication, to create communities. In Sydney, this already began, but I think this is going to be the explosion. Explosion as well of new technologies. In 2011, probably almost everyone who comes will have new generation cell phones. It will be very easy to be in contact, to receive information, take advantage of the phone, the terminals, to receive the translations of the Holy Father's words, the organizational messages, etc.



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Pope Addresses Youth of the World

“We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10)

My dear friends,
Next Palm Sunday we shall celebrate the twenty-fourth World Youth Day at the diocesan level. As we prepare for this annual event, I recall with deep gratitude to the Lord the meeting held in Sydney in July last year. It was a most memorable encounter, during which the Holy Spirit renewed the lives of countless young people who had come together from all over the world [you can say that again!]. The joy of celebration and spiritual enthusiasm experienced during those few days was an eloquent sign of the presence of the Spirit of Christ. Now we are journeying towards the international gathering due to take place in Madrid in 2011, which will have as its theme the words of the Apostle Paul: “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). As we look forward to that global youth meeting, let us undertake a path of preparation together. We take as our text for the year 2009 a saying of Saint Paul: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10), while in 2010 we will reflect on the question put to Jesus by the rich young man: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)
Youth, a time of hope
In Sydney, our attention was focussed upon what the Holy Spirit is saying to believers today, and in particular to you, my dear young people. During the closing Mass, I urged you to let yourselves be shaped by him in order to be messengers of divine love, capable of building a future of hope for all humanity [This message really, it seems to me, is at the heart of his entire pontificate]. The question of hope is truly central to our lives as human beings and our mission as Christians, especially in these times. We are all aware of the need for hope, not just any kind of hope, but a firm and reliable hope, as I wanted to emphasize in the Encyclical Spe Salvi. Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition. Perhaps this is why it is the time of life when fundamental questions assert themselves strongly: Why am I here on earth? What is the meaning of life? What will my life be like? And again: How can I attain happiness? Why is there suffering, illness and death? What lies beyond death? These are questions that become insistent when we are faced with obstacles that sometimes seem insurmountable: difficulties with studies, unemployment, family arguments, crises in friendships or in building good loving relationships, illness or disability, lack of adequate resources as a result of the present widespread economic and social crisis. We then ask ourselves: where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart? [How can anyone really believe that this Pope doesn't get it? He does. He understands humanity far better than many of us, and he is not afraid to address the difficult and painful questions of life that so many others do not touch. Too many youth ministers today are content with "fluff;" not Pope Benedict.]
In search of “the great hope”


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Message of Pope Benedict for World Youth Day 2009

"The crisis of hope is more likely to affect the younger generations. In socio-cultural environments with few certainties, values or firm points of reference, they find themselves facing difficulties that seem beyond their strength. My dear young friends, I have in mind so many of your contemporaries who have been wounded by life. They often suffer from personal immaturity caused by dysfunctional family situations, by permissive and libertarian elements in their education, and by difficult and traumatic experience. For some – unfortunately a significant number – the almost unavoidable way out involves an alienating escape into dangerous and violent behaviour, dependence on drugs and alcohol, and many other such traps for the unwary. Yet, even for those who find themselves in difficult situations, having been led astray by bad role models, the desire for true love and authentic happiness is not extinguished. But how can we speak of this hope to those young people? We know that it is in God alone that a human person finds true fulfilment. The main task for us all is that of a new evangelization aimed at helping younger generations to rediscover the true face of God, who is Love. To you young people, who are in search of a firm hope, I address the very words that Saint Paul wrote to the persecuted Christians in Rome at that time: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:13). During this Jubilee Year dedicated to the Apostle of the Gentiles on the occasion of the two thousandth anniversary of his birth, let us learn from him how to become credible witnesses of Christian hope."
"I would like to conclude this message, my dear young friends, with a beautiful and well-known prayer by Saint Bernard that was inspired by one of Mary’s titles, Stella Maris, Star of the Sea: “You who amid the constant upheavals of this life find yourself more often tossed about by storms than standing on firm ground, do not turn your eyes from the brightness of this Star, if you would not be overwhelmed by boisterous waves. If the winds of temptations rise, if you fall among the rocks of tribulations, look up at the Star, call on Mary … In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary … Following her, you will never go astray; when you implore her aid, you will never yield to despair; thinking on her, you will not err; under her patronage you will never wander; beneath her protection you will not fear; she being your guide, you will not weary; with her assistance, you will arrive safely in the port” (Homilies in Praise of the Virgin Mother, 2:17).

Mary, Star of the Sea, we ask you to guide the young people of the whole world to an encounter with your Divine Son Jesus. Be the celestial guardian of their fidelity to the Gospel and of their hope.

Dear young friends, be assured that I remember all of you every day in my prayers. I give my heartfelt blessing to you and to all who are dear to you."

Pope Benedict, Message to the Young People of the World on the Occasion of the Twenty-fourth World Youth Day 2009, February 22, 2009.


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She pondered these things in her heart…

I’m not sure if anyone is reading these posts any more, but I do hope so. I haven’t written about the end of the vigil or the Papal mass intentionally. Spending the night at Randwick and celebrating mass with the Holy Father leaves a lot for one to think about. Out of sheer exhaust and also in order to truly digest the entirety of the week, I haven’t written. I know that this post will not do justice to the enormity of World Youth Day, but I will try.
I long to go home and read all of the words of the Holy Father from this blessed event. Staying up all night for the vigil, keeping watch for Christ, lends one to a tired, but happy heart, which makes paying attention very difficult. I can not wait to go home and read through the Holy Father’s homily once more to make sure that I relish in it.
World Youth Day is an entire entity all its own. I was amazed to see what happened at World Youth Day. To see an entire capital uprooted with joyful singing, happy laughter and true devotion to Christ made me cling to all that is true, beautiful and good. Being my first pilgrimage and taking 10 kids with me, it was interesting to see how each teen came to cherish a particular part of the week. For some, it was the closing mass, for others, the earth shaking words came at the vigil and still for others, to see pilgrims from around the world gather for what is true in the world brought them to their knees. I am humbled and in awe to have seen 10 kids take in, process and love God through the entire week. We are still on our pilgrimage, but already, to see how they’ve taken away the bits and pieces of the week and will weave them into their lives. Sydney will never again be the same and I think the same is true for all 212 of us from the Diocese of Arlington. Yes, some will have their lives completely uprooted from the week and others will not, but I know that each one will carry with them from the week.
World Youth Day is all about an emptying of oneself. Just as our Lord pours himself out by becoming human, we too are called to pour our selves out for love of him. I’ve poured, pushed and worked harder this week than I think that I ever had in ministry. At the same time, I’ve seen kids do the same. I’m touched by the kindess they showed, by the fact that they don’t mind being shoved onto a train platform, or the fact that walking back from the closing mass took 3 hours. In so many ways, World Youth Day strips of selfishness and makes us run back to him and for that I am thankful. It’s been a long couple of weeks and I’m eager to be home. When I look back at the pilgrimage, I know that the things I’ll remember the most is the small moments, when in the midst of a crowd of people, the 13 of us came to be loved by God, love God more and love each more. God is so good and I’m so lucky to have had his cup overflow onto me this week.
Over the next few days, I plan on posting a few more things, some tidbits I learned and some of the things I’ll ponder in my heart. I pray for much peace and joy for each of you. Please pray for our safe travels home on Monday.


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World Youth Day 2011, August 15-21, in Madrid

“I am sure Madrid will be ready to welcome the Pope as he deserves for the next World Youth Day, which will be held in the Spanish capital in 2011”

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MADRID (CNA) - The governor of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, has announced that the dates for World Youth Day 2011 will be August 15-21. She also assured the public that local officials would support the event and ensure it would be a success.

“I am sure Madrid will be ready to welcome the Pope as he deserves for the next World Youth Day, which will be held in the Spanish capital in 2011,” Aguirre said in response to the announcement.

She said she shared the sentiments of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid, who said the event would “have important repercussions for the social, cultural and general life of Spain.”

Aguirre said she was “very happy” that Spain was chosen as the host city for the next World Youth Day and that “it will be a great opportunity for the young people of Madrid, whether they are Catholic or not, because the Pope is a worldwide authority.”


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World Youth Day Opens in Sydney

SYDNEY — World Youth Day, the event the Roman Catholic church describes as the largest gathering of young people on the planet, began Tuesday, with 100,000 people attending a mass on a disused wharf overlooking the sparkling waters of Sydney harbor.
It was the formal beginning of six days of celebrations which will culminate on Sunday with a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI before a predicted 500,000 worshipers.
Like many mainstream Christian denominations, Roman Catholicism is struggling to maintain its following.
Young people are at the center of the battle.
“Many young people today lack hope,” the pope said last week. “They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ever more urgently in a confusing world, and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers.”
But the pope believes that those gathered in Sydney could be part of the solution, and that World Youth Day can be a point of renewal.
“It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ,” he said.
The 81-year-old pope arrived in Australia on Sunday, but will not formally join the celebrations until Thursday.
For days, Sydney has been crowded with pilgrims from all over the world, moving around in happy groups, identifiable by the yellow, orange and red backpacks that they have been given.
It has been a formidable logistics operation. Thousands of young pilgrims are sleeping in sports halls, churches and schools across the city.
And the event has found some unusual supporters - 282 pilgrims from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States are sleeping at the Malek Fahd Islamic School in a suburb of Sydney.
“This was a good opportunity to extend our hand in friendship and break down the barriers and misunderstandings between religions,” said Pinad El-Ahmad, who is in charge of inter-religious activities at the school.
“Hospitality is part of our Islamic teaching. We know that the Prophet opened his house and mosque to non-Muslims, and so it is only right that we should do the same,” she said.
Preparations for World Youth Day have not been without controversy.
In an attempt to ensure that the event ran smoothly, the state government in New South Wales passed a law banning people from “annoying” pilgrims, sparking protests that it was an infringement on civil liberties.
A federal court Tuesday struck down the law, paving the way for demonstrators to hand out condoms and coat hangers, references to the Catholic Church’s opposition to birth control and abortions they say are the inevitable result.
Many Australians are also uncomfortable that the local and federal governments are subsidizing the event with more than 150 million Australian dollars. Although Australia does not have the same constitutional separation of church and state as the United States, some people are unhappy that the Catholic Church, to which a quarter of Australians belong, appears to be receiving preferential treatment.
Another longstanding problem also resurfaced.
In the last two weeks, Cardinal George Pell, the archbishop of Sydney, has come under close scrutiny for his handling of a sexual abuse case involving a priest.
In 2003, the cardinal sent a letter to an alleged abuse victim, Anthony Jones, dismissing his claims to have been abused by a priest, in part, he said, because there had been no other claims against the priest in question, the Rev. Terence Goodall.
However, on the day he sent the letter to Mr. Jones, the cardinal wrote to another victim, accepting his abuse claim against Father Goodall.
Cardinal Pell denied any coverup, saying his comments to Mr. Jones were “badly worded and a mistake.” He has reopened the inquiry into Mr. Jones’s allegations.
The pope has indicated that he will offer an apology for sexual abuse by priests, as he did on his recent visit to the United States.

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World Youth Day pilgrims start walk

THE first of thousands of colourfully dressed young people have set off on a three-hour pilgrimage through Sydney to Randwick Racecourse, where Pope Benedict XVI will conduct the final mass of the Catholic World Youth Day celebrations tomorrow.

Throughout the day, pilgrims will walk the 9km from North Sydney, through central Sydney and the eastern suburbs to Royal Randwick.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed at 2am (AEST) for only the third time in its history while roads in the city centre and 25 suburbs have also been closed for the pilgrimage.
The Pope will participate in a vigil this evening with the pilgrims, which will include a candlelight ceremony.
Many of the pilgrims will sleep over at the racecourse tonight ahead of tomorrow's final papal mass, which at least 300,000 people are expected to attend.
Braving the dark and the early morning cold, more than 1000 excited pilgrims left North Sydney at 6am (AEST).

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World Youth Day pilgrims bashed, robbed

ONE World Youth Day pilgrim needed emergency surgery and another fled with a black eye after the pair were bashed and robbed by a gang at Homebush Bay.

Police are appealing for public assistance following the ordeal, which happened at 1.30am on Saturday.
The two pilgrims - Western Samoan men aged 25 and 31 - were walking along Dawn Fraser Drive when they were attacked by four men and two women, all aged in their 20s, outside the Brewery Hotel.

The group took the younger victim’s backpack containing cash and a mobile phone before fleeing in a late-model black dual-cab utility with chrome wheels which police believe could be a Holden Rodeo.

The 31-year-old suffered bruising to his right eye socket and was able to escape the melee. The 25-year-old, however, received major injuries before fleeing to Olympic Park railway station and catching a train to Lidcombe.

He was rushed to Auburn Hospital, where he’s reportedly in a stable condition after having surgery and treatment for a fractured jaw and left eye socket, a severe upper lip laceration, and numerous loose teeth.
A number of crime scenes were identified and established at Homebush Bay and various items seized for forensic examination.
Police are also viewing security footage from various locations within the Olympic Park precinct and investigations are continuing.

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World Youth Day 2008

A Pilgrimage
World Youth Day 2008 is a pilgrimage initiated by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to gather young Christians from all over the world to take part in a common celebration of faith. People between 16 and 30 are invited. They will pour into Sydney from more than 120 countries. The Pope and around a million participants are expected.  They will be accompanied by bishops and cardinals from their home countries.
A Journey of Faith
It takes place over a number of days.  Its prime objective is to make the person of Jesus the centre of the faith and life of every young person so that He may be their constant point of reference and also the inspiration of every initiative and commitment for the education of the new generations.  The event aims to give young people an opportunity to rediscover their baptismal calling and the importance of the sacraments of the Eucharist and reconciliation, and so discover a new apostolic zeal to witness more fully the Gospel in the modern world.

A Time of Christian Fellowship
Christians from around the world will come together in fellowship, to experience hospitality and the love of God.  Pilgrims are invited to attend lectures, discussions, debates on the Catholic Faith, take part in praise, worship, Mass, The Way of the Cross, Adoration, seek reconciliation, as well as attend social events, such as concerts and plays.  The event concludes with an overnight vigil and Papal Mass.

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In a sea of World Youth Day pilgrims, dozens from mainland China

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- In brilliant winter sunshine the old docklands at Barrangaroo became a moving sea of national flags unfurling above the heads of the 150,000 pilgrims who had come from different corners of the earth to celebrate one faith and liturgy.

Among the flags was one from China: About 60 pilgrims from mainland China attended World Youth Day in Sydney. Among them were priests not registered with the Chinese government who, for the first time in their lives, wore the black and white collar that identifies them as a Catholic priest.

The Chinese pilgrims said they were ecstatic to be in Sydney.

"We can feel the Holy Spirit working upon us," said one young woman. "All our young people feel the hand of God moving on them, healing them and making them stronger."

The pilgrims agreed to talk to Catholic News Service July 15, as World Youth Day opened, only if their real names were not used.

Father Li Jinxing said that for the first 20 years of his life, he had never met a priest.

"Priests were heroic figures, heard about but never seen," said Father Li, who said the Catholic faith was practiced secretly in his home under threat of government persecution. "Parents and grandparents kept the faith strong."

He said in China today "things are improving a little" but much still depends on the tolerance of local and provincial authorities as to whether the church has a legitimate profile. He spoke of China's two Catholic communities -- those that register with the government and those that refuse to register and continue to operate in a semiclandestine manner.

"The government allows too few seminaries to train the numbers of priests in the official church, so the underground church is by far the bigger one," the priest claimed.

As a 20-year-old in Hebei province Father Li attended a hurriedly convened secret Mass. Like all such gatherings, the liturgy was celebrated at lightning speed for fear of discovery. It was at the Mass that Father Li met his first priest and there, as he received Communion, that he realized his vocation.

Accompanying the Chinese pilgrims was a 22-year-old Texan who has been studying Chinese while working as a lay missionary; he did not want to be identified for fear of endangering his ability to work in China. His connections to the Arizona-based U.S. Catholic group Youth Arise North America ensured that the pilgrims' fares and registrations for World Youth Day were paid through a donation of $20,000 (U.S.).

"It is a small miracle in their lives," he said of the journey.

The Texan said that in his ministry he meets "people who are desperate to meet the one true God."

"Their grandparents were told that communism was the savior of the world. Their parents were told it (savior) was capitalism. They have been let down on both accounts," he said.

"When they learn that God is a father who loves and treasures them individually, they weep with the realization," he said. "It is a very emotional church; they feel the faith deeply in their hearts."

He said the Chinese pilgrims' experience in Sydney would be incalculable.

"These are young people who are leaders in their communities. My work is not about converting people, it is about raising up leaders in the indigenous church," he said.


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World Youth Day pilgrims put soul into city

SYDNEY is teeming with young World Youth Day pilgrims, walking wide-eyed through St Mary's Cathedral, squeezing into the Mary McKillop memorial chapel, bouncing on to public transport and unrolling their sleeping bags in 400 schools and churches across the city.

The city breathes with hope and the expectation of a historic and life-changing religious experience.
The Pope arrives in the city tomorrow, and he will celebrate mass for as many as 500,000 people at Randwick racecourse, east of the CBD, next weekend - the high point of World Youth Day.
The exultation of being one of hundreds of thousands of like-minded pilgrims has gripped Americans Maggie Lawler, 17, and Lauren Wolf, 16. They have travelled thousands of kilometres from Sioux Falls in South Dakota to be a part of the first Australian World Youth Day.
"From what we heard from people who went to world youth days, it was a really life-changing experience," Ms Lawler said yesterday in Hyde Park, in the heart of the city.
"No matter how strong your faith was before, you're always getting something out of it."
Ms Wolf agreed. "I watched a DVD about World Youth Day, and I loved the people who were just cheering as the Pope walked in - everyone is so excited, there are so many people here. It's so amazing."
Despite persistent rumours of a shortfall in registrations, the Catholic Church says numbers are on track for the massive event, with 225,000 registered pilgrims expected - 125,000 from overseas and the balance from Australia.
Bishop Anthony Fisher said he expected World Youth Day to sweep everyone along in its wake, even those who threatened to protest. "When they see the bunch of lovely, happy, idealistic young people, I think they'll be swept along with that, and I don't think we'll see any trouble-making," he said yesterday, adding he expected the negative views of World Youth Day to dissipate.
"Pilgrims are saying, 'What's going on here? This is the most wonderful thing for your country and for your church, everyone should be happy, like we are'."
Project manager Andrew Murphy has been working at the racetrack since April, and "flat chat" since June 15 when the horses moved out. He has been in charge of a makeover that includes building 3184 toilets, laying 23km of water and sewerage pipe, setting up more than 200 confession, merchandising and catering tents and pitching 40km of fencing and crowd control barriers.
More than 300,000 pilgrims are expected to sleep overnight at Randwick next weekend, and remain on the track for the Pope's mass. The spillover numbers will stay at nearby Centennial Park.
"It's fantastic," said Mr Murphy. "Of course it's worth it."
Sydney has been readying itself for the event for months. NSW has laid on 16,500 extra bus services and 4000 extra train services through the week to allow for more than 825,000 additional passenger journeys.
Beginning in earnest next Thursday, World Youth Day will be co-ordinated by about 8000 volunteers. About 2000 priests, as well as 500 cardinals and bishops, will be in Sydney to celebrate with the Pope - all wearing vestments especially designed for the event.
But the real impetus of World Youth Day will be provided by the sheer numbers of young people.
"What is exciting is that you see big groups of people everywhere," Lauren said. "I loved John Paul II because I think he was so great for the youth, but I think Pope Benedict is good for bringing people back to the church. He is really a uniter."
Lauren said she hoped her Sydney experience would increase her faith. "I think we have a faith and we have a relationship with God, but World Youth Day will get us even closer," she said. She and Maggie were from a group of 46 pilgrims from South Dakota, all staying in a hostel in Sydney's south.
"I hope World Youth Day will answer some of our questions about what God and religion really means," Maggie said.
At Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral, young pilgrims from around the world prayed before the coffin of one of their own - 24-year-old Italian Pier Giorgio Frassati. His remains were brought to Australia for World Youth Day, and St Mary's Cathedral was decorated with banners illustrating the life of the young man who cared deeply about those less fortunate than himself.
Beatified in 1990, the Blessed Pier Giorgio is a patron of this World Youth Day. "Young people can relate to him as he was just aged 24," said Auggie Babbitt, a pilgrim from Texas.

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World Youth Day 2008 - Sophie Caldecott reports

Thursday 24th July - Sunday 27th July
Fun and farewells on the Gold Coast:

After our two days of retreat (some of which was silent) we headed off to Seaworld, despite the pouring rain (a direct answer to our prayer for Australia's severe drought) and spent the day marvelling at the beautiful aquariums and a lucky few even getting to stroke some dolphins. Several of the boys went on the rollercoaster over 20 times and, needless to say, felt rather queasy as a result. Our last day in Australia was spent at Surfer's Paradise in Brisbane, where most of us went to see the new Batman film, 'The Dark Knight' before putting on our swimming things and experiencing the mighty waves that give the beach its name. These two days were the only real days of holiday that we had had all month, and even on these days we had Mass and prayed the rosary on the coach. These things became habit and helped us to gain strength, daily, from Our Lord.

The flight home (adding up to over 20 hours in all) was spectacular in itself, as the skies were clear for most of the way which made travelling at night almost like travelling through space, constellations of light above and below us. Tearful farewells at the airport brought our journey together finally to an end, but over the course of that month friendships were formed that will not be broken, and I know that we will continue our journey together in prayer as we each try to live out the commission we have received

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Pope Sends World Youth Day Cross to Quake Region

Affirms Church Is More than a Humanitarian Agency

VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI sent the World Youth Day cross to the Italian Abruzzo region that was devastated by the April 6 earthquake, and is expressing solidarity and compassion for the people.

The Pope stated this today in St. Peter's Square, as he addressed the thousands of pilgrims gathered there to pray the midday Regina Caeli.

He reported that the Abruzzo youth "are gathering many people" around the cross, which was carried there by 12 volunteers from the youth center of San Lorenzo.

"In communion with that region, hard hit by the earthquake," the Pontiff said, "we ask Christ dead and risen to pour put his Spirit of consolation and hope upon them."

On Saturday the cross was brought to a student house where eight youth died in L'Aquila, a town near the epicenter of the earthquake that claimed some 300 lives.

The cross was received by the town's youth, and after a moment of prayer it was carried to the fields of tents where survivors have made temporary homes.

Today the cross was brought to the training school of the Guardia de Financia where the bishop of the region, Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari, celebrated a Mass with confirmations. During the rest of the day it traveled to different areas where fields of tents have been raised.

It will be brought back to Rome on Tuesday, and will go to different cities of Spain before the World Youth Day in Madrid, planned for August 2011.

The Holy Father urged the young people, "With the power of the Holy Spirit, be witnesses of the risen Lord!"

Living body

In his address to the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI affirmed, "The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church."

He continued: "Without him to what would it be reduced? It would certainly be a great historical movement, a complex and solid social institution, perhaps a kind of humanitarian agency.

"And in truth this is how it is considered by those who look upon it from outside the perspective of faith.

"In reality, however, in its true nature and also in its most authentic historical presence, the Church is unceasingly formed and guided by the Spirit of the Lord. It is a living body, whose vitality is precisely the invisible divine Spirit."

The Pope concluded, "We invoke the intercession of Mary Most Holy, that the Church in our time may be powerfully strengthened by the Holy Spirit."

"The comforting presence of the Holy Spirit is felt in a special way by the ecclesial communities that suffer persecution for Christ's name, because, participating in his sufferings, they receive the Holy Spirit in the abundance of glory," he affirmed.

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Day Ten!

Today we began our walk at Dural Park. Here we were joined by the local Federal member Philip Ruddock and the Mayor. We were also blessed with the presence of Fr Dominic Murphy for our journey today. As we walked along the pathway we could see groups of people eagerly waiting to join us. The crowd started to get bigger and the passes by were all interested to know what was causing such excitement.

We headed towards Redfield College where we met up with more people who had come to see the Cross. The community gathered for some prayers and then a beautiful Mass was celebrated.

We processed the Cross and Icon into the school chapel and it remained there for overnight prayer with Adoration and Mass.

Annaliese









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World Youth Day pilgrims blog for nowwearetalking

Melbourne sisters Marlene and Melanie Fenech will be video blogging their journey before, during and after World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08).
Marlene is an 18 year old, currently studying Primary Education at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. Melanie is 21 years old, currently studying Architecture at Deakin University.
The sisters will be attending WYD with fellow members of the St Peter Chanel Parish Youth Group. Departing Melbourne on Monday 14th July, arriving home on Monday 21st July.
They will be recording daily video blogs on their Next G™ mobiles to share their journey with friends, family and nowwearetalking readers.
World Youth Day has hundreds of thousands of pilgrims traveling to Sydney this week, some for the very first time.

"It's an exciting time to be on the highways of Australia, we can’t wait to discover the common faith that we share with youth from around the world," said Marlene.
"We hope to make lifelong friendships with fellow pilgrims attending WYD08 from countries around the world."
"We can't wait to document our trip and experiences on video with our Telstra phones and our parents are thrilled they will be able to track our progress."

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World Youth Day’s Lasting Impact

ROME, MAY 17, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Seven out of 10 young people who attended World Youth Day in Sydney last year rated it as one of the best experiences in their life. This was one of the findings of a survey carried out to measure the impact of the event.

The “Pilgrims' Progress 2008 research project” is led by Father Michael Mason and Professor Ruth Webber from Australian Catholic University, and Dr Andrew Singleton from Monash University.

On May 4 they released their preliminary findings. The study was based on interviews, personal observation of the participants, and two large-scale Internet surveys of pilgrims: one before and the other after World Youth Day.

The findings of the preliminary report concentrate on Australian pilgrims only. For 93% of them it was their first experience of going along to a World Youth Day. Almost half of the local participants were in the 14-18 age bracket. World Youth Day attracted more young women than men and that is reflected in the study, in that 68% of respondents were female

Some of the highlights of the findings were the following.

-- More than 40% said their faith in God had been strengthened.

-- A third or more stated that they were now not embarrassed to let others see that they believed; that they wanted to live as disciples of Jesus; that they wanted to learn more about their faith.

-- Asked what they found most fun, pilgrims chose being part of the huge, happy crowd walking together through the streets, and making new friends.

-- Over half of the respondents said that they were determined to change their behavior towards others - to be more considerate, more “Christ-like.”

-- Significant proportions reported changed attitudes and behavior on a range of social-ethical issues.

Superficial or spiritual?

Critics of World Youth Days, both within and outside of the Church, have frequently questioned the spiritual value of the events. So one of the aims of the survey was to determine if it’s just an enjoyable spectacle or whether it does make a significant spiritual impact.

Contrary to the somewhat feverish speculation in some of the local secular media prior to last July the pre-event survey showed that pilgrims did not see World Youth Day as an opportunity for romantic encounters. The option of “Perhaps meeting someone I really like,” was the lowest priority for all of the age groups.

Instead their highest priorities were listed as: seeing the Pope; wanting to experience the presence of God; and to feel ‘part of a large crowd united by shared beliefs.

Generally, the older pilgrims were somewhat more interested in the devotional and religious aspects: the Masses, catecheses, and prayer services. The youngest group were more attracted to the youthful aspects of the event: making new friends, feeling the “buzz,” and sharing their faith with other young people.

Nevertheless, even among the teens, the options of “experiencing the presence of God,” and “seeing the Pope,” also ranked highly. Only a minority of the youthful Australian pilgrims went hoping simply to have a good time.

The answers also depended on the existing level of religious practice. Those who did not regularly attend Mass were more likely to give a higher priority to the social aspect of the event, while those who were regulars at Mass indicated they were more interested in the spiritual activities.

The top three benefits hoped for by those surveyed prior to the event were: living what you believe (85%); a closer relationship with God (81%); and a stronger sense of Catholic identity (78%). There was very little variation by age: these were the top three priorities for pilgrims of all ages.

Spiritual help

Turning to the post-event survey the study found that regarding the spiritual benefits most of the respondents said that what was most helpful was the experience of being with so many people who shared the same faith

This sharing of the faith corresponded to what the majority of pilgrims had said before World Youth Day, and their hopes were fulfilled - they found the experience powerful and significant.

In the personal interviews pilgrims explained that it was very important to them to be part of a big crowd of people around their age who were expressing their faith. They said that in their experience, it was mostly older people who took faith seriously. Young people, by contras, even if they were Catholic, were not interested in religion, or inclined to make fun of it.

They were also used to keeping their faith discreetly private. Normally only close friends would know if they continued to believe, attend Mass, or take part in other religious groups or activities.

In fact, a year 11 student in a Catholic school said in an interview that “it’s social suicide” to be active and speak out in religion classes.

Pride

Other benefits singled out by pilgrims included the sense of Church and pride in being a Catholic also rated highly. Many pilgrims also mentioned the sense that God was present in the large gathering of people sharing and the feeling that World Youth Day brought out the best in everyone.

Another highly-rated option was that of feeling themselves part of a community that transcended them in space and time and fused them into a unity with others and with God.

In terms of the events pilgrims singled out the Vigil, the Mass with Pope Benedict and the Stations of the Cross as occasions of strong experiences of the presence of God, and also as most spiritually helpful.

The morning catecheses also received a favorable response and according to the survey it seems that the catecheses played a more important role at the Sydney event than at previous World Youth Days.

Only a small proportion (10%) of pilgrims rated the catecheses “not so helpful.”

The report commented that during the event in Sydney even casual observers were struck by the infectious joy, friendliness, and enthusiasm the pilgrims. But, it noted this positive atmosphere was founded on a deeper level the experience of communing with others who shared the same faith, and the experience of the presence of God.

In conformity with the pre-event survey the social side of World Youth Day was not considered very important among those who replied to the post-event study. Making new friends was often mentioned, but all of the social aspects, including the beauty of the sites and the good weather were rated well below the spiritual benefits.

Following-up

The survey participants were also asked about what activities they felt would be most beneficial as a follow-up to World Youth Day. Over half of them chose first the option of retreats or camps for people who want to grow in faith.

There was also strong support for regularly getting together with their fellow pilgrims, for more youth-oriented Masses, and high-quality teaching of the Catholic faith.

Over half of the group was very keen to attend the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid.

“There is clear evidence that many pilgrims have changed the ways in which they think about and respond to others, and that they attribute the changes to their participation in World Youth Day,” the study concluded. A finding that should lay to rest the doubts about the benefits of such an event, and spur efforts to give continuity at a local level so that young people will continue to be confirmed in their faith.

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Final thoughts: in pursuit of a saint

As 200,000 candles lit up Randwick racecourse on Saturday night, it occured to me that it was possible–likely, even–that future Saints were in our midst. Would not Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati have brought a cadre of youth from his hometown? Couldn’t you imagine a younger Blessed Mary McKillop among the joyful religious on the field?
I roamed the Southern Cross Precinct in view of meeting this future generation of WYD patrons. So to conclude my CNS blogging, here are three remarkable individuals who made an impact on me this past weekend.
Meet Craig AshbyIllitterate just seven years ago, this 21-year old Australian Aboriginal credits a parish priest with changing his life. Ashby had begged Fr. PJ O’Neill to send him to an exclusive boarding school (in part because he liked the uniforms). Though far from the outback where he had been raised by his grandmother, he thrived there and is now pursuing a teaching degree from Sydney University.

Ashby hasn’t forgotten those in his former position, however, as he has partnered with corporate donors to raise millions of dollars for boarding school scholarships. For his accomplishments, he was rewarded Saturday with an invitation to lunch with the Holy Father.
Meet Francine Bell“Hey pilgrim!” hollered a woman behind me on Sunday night. Turning around, I immediately recognized her to be Francine Bell, the soulful performer of “Amazing Grace” at Friday’s Stations of the Cross. She had spotted my orange WYD backpack and wanted to talk to a pilgrim from the crowd, as she had been confined all day to the stage area.

As we exchanged stories, I was surprised to learn that Bell was not Catholic, but Seventh Day Adventist. She explained that after seeing the WYD Cross on TV, she asked God whether she should somehow participate in the gathering. Sure enough, she received a call from WYD organizers the very next day. Bell is now thrilled to have witnessed a week of grace for her country.
Meet Anton AntonovDespite being fellow members of the International Liturgy Group, I only met Anton during the Saturday evening vigil. The gruff Russian is one of those men who remind you how easy it is to be a Catholic in North America.

Growing up in war-torn Chechnya, the constant military presence “was like toy soldiers” to a young boy. This innnocence was shattered the day Antonov witnessed a man destroyed by a rocket. For years he recalled the scene in terrible nightmares.
Now living in a safer region, Antonov has found healing for his dreams and, with zeal for Christ, has chosen the path of peace. Still, he speaks of the onoing challenges of the Catholic Church in Russia, where the Russian Orthodox Church continues to exert pressure against its expansion.

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She pondered these things in her heart…

I’m not sure if anyone is reading these posts any more, but I do hope so. I haven’t written about the end of the vigil or the Papal mass intentionally. Spending the night at Randwick and celebrating mass with the Holy Father leaves a lot for one to think about. Out of sheer exhaust and also in order to truly digest the entirety of the week, I haven’t written. I know that this post will not do justice to the enormity of World Youth Day, but I will try.
I long to go home and read all of the words of the Holy Father from this blessed event. Staying up all night for the vigil, keeping watch for Christ, lends one to a tired, but happy heart, which makes paying attention very difficult. I can not wait to go home and read through the Holy Father’s homily once more to make sure that I relish in it.
World Youth Day is an entire entity all its own. I was amazed to see what happened at World Youth Day. To see an entire capital uprooted with joyful singing, happy laughter and true devotion to Christ made me cling to all that is true, beautiful and good. Being my first pilgrimage and taking 10 kids with me, it was interesting to see how each teen came to cherish a particular part of the week. For some, it was the closing mass, for others, the earth shaking words came at the vigil and still for others, to see pilgrims from around the world gather for what is true in the world brought them to their knees. I am humbled and in awe to have seen 10 kids take in, process and love God through the entire week. We are still on our pilgrimage, but already, to see how they’ve taken away the bits and pieces of the week and will weave them into their lives. Sydney will never again be the same and I think the same is true for all 212 of us from the Diocese of Arlington. Yes, some will have their lives completely uprooted from the week and others will not, but I know that each one will carry with them from the week.
World Youth Day is all about an emptying of oneself. Just as our Lord pours himself out by becoming human, we too are called to pour our selves out for love of him. I’ve poured, pushed and worked harder this week than I think that I ever had in ministry. At the same time, I’ve seen kids do the same. I’m touched by the kindess they showed, by the fact that they don’t mind being shoved onto a train platform, or the fact that walking back from the closing mass took 3 hours. In so many ways, World Youth Day strips of selfishness and makes us run back to him and for that I am thankful. It’s been a long couple of weeks and I’m eager to be home. When I look back at the pilgrimage, I know that the things I’ll remember the most is the small moments, when in the midst of a crowd of people, the 13 of us came to be loved by God, love God more and love each more. God is so good and I’m so lucky to have had his cup overflow onto me this week.
Over the next few days, I plan on posting a few more things, some tidbits I learned and some of the things I’ll ponder in my heart. I pray for much peace and joy for each of you. Please pray for our safe travels home on Monday.
LATBA…I love you.

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Pope Benedict Prays for Refugees on Palm Sunday

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square. He also prayed for the many African victims that every year embark on a dangerous sea crossing of the Mediterranean to reach Europe, but fail to reach their destination.

Pope Benedict's thoughts on Palm Sunday were for the thousands of illegal immigrants who every year attempt a perilous journey from Africa to Europe in search of a better life.

During the Angelus prayer, he recalled Africans who just days ago lost their life in the Mediterranean. "We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies," he said, "which unfortunately, have been taking place for some time."

The head of the Roman Catholic Church said the scope of the problem calls for increasingly urgent strategies coordinated by the European Union and African states. He said it also calls for the adoption of adequate humanitarian measures so immigrants are not compelled to turn to unscrupulous human traffickers.

Earlier, Pope Benedict celebrated Palm Sunday Mass, which marks the start of the Christian Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Under blue skies and bright sunshine, thousands of tourists and faithful from different nationalities waved palm leaves or olive branches during an open air service in Saint Peter's Square.

Palm Sunday mass is also dedicated to young people who celebrate World Youth Day in local dioceses. Many of those in the square Sunday were Australian and Spaniards. At the end of the ceremony, young people from Australia, where the last World Youth Day was held in the presence of the Pope, handed a wooden cross to young people from Madrid, where the next World Youth Day will be celebrated.

The Pope says tomorrow the cross and the icon of the Virgin Mary will head to the Spanish capital for the Good Friday procession. Then it will start a long pilgrimage, visiting the dioceses in Spain, and return to Madrid in the summer of 2011.

Holy Week is one of the busiest times in the Christian calendar for Pope Benedict. He will preside over a number of solemn ceremonies, including the Good Friday remembrance of Christ's crucifixion and a mass on Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate his resurrection.

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On Preparation for World Youth Day in Madrid

"The Pilgrim Cross Brings the Message of Christ to All Youth"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 5, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today after Palm Sunday Mass, before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. During his address, a delegation from Sydney handed over the World Youth Day Cross to a group of young people from Madrid.

* * *

Yesterday, April 4, the U.N.'s 4th international day for increasing anti-personnel mine awareness was observed. At the present moment, ten years after the treaty banning the use of these devices came into effect, and after the treaty banning cluster bombs was recently presented for signatures, I would like to encourage the countries who have still not yet done so to sign without delay these important instruments of international humanitarian law, which the Holy See has always supported. Moreover, I express my support for any measure intended to guarantee necessary assistance for the victims of these devastating weapons.

Furthermore, I would like to remember, with deep sorrow, our African brothers and sisters, who met their deaths a few days ago in the Mediterranean Sea, while they were trying to find refuge in Europe. We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies that, unfortunately, repeat themselves time and time again! The phenomenon's dimensions make coordinated strategies between the European Union and African countries more and more urgent, as well as the adoption of adequate humanitarian measures to impede migrants having recourse to lawless traffickers. As I pray for the victims, that the Lord welcome them into his peace, I would like to observe that this problem, subsequently aggravated by the global crisis, will be solved only when African populations can relieve themselves from suffering and wars with the help of the international community.

I now address a special greeting to the 150 delegates -- bishops, priests and lay people -- who in recent days participated in the international meeting on the World Youth Days, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Thus, there begins the journey of preparation toward the next international gathering of youth, which will take place in August 2011 in Madrid. I have already indicated its theme: "Rooted and Built Up in Christ, Solid in Faith," which is taken from Colossians 2:7. As is tradition, the young people from Australia will give to the young people from Spain the World Youth Day cross, the "pilgrim cross," which brings the message of Christ to all the youth of the world. This "passing on of witness" takes on a highly symbolic value, with which we express immense gratitude to God for the gifts received at the great meeting in Sydney and for those that we will receive at the meeting in Madrid. Tomorrow the cross, accompanied by the icon of the Virgin Mary, will depart for the Spanish capital, and will be present there for the great Good Friday procession. After this a long pilgrimage through the dioceses of Spain will begin, and will end again in Madrid in the summer of 2011. May this cross and this icon of Mary be for all a sign of Christ's invincible love and that of his and our Mother!

[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

[The Pope greeted the pilgrims in various languages. In English, he said:]

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors here this Palm Sunday, when we recall the humble entry into Jerusalem of Jesus, our King and Messiah. With vivid memories of my visit to Sydney for World Youth Day, I greet Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and Bishops Anthony Fisher and Julian Porteous, Auxiliary Bishops of Sydney, who are here together with a large group of young Australians in order to consign to their counterparts from Madrid the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady. May the great events of Holy Week strengthen your faith and inspire you to be humble witnesses of charity. Upon each of you present and your families, I invoke God's blessings of peace and wisdom.

And now let us accompany with prayer the handing over of the Cross.

[After the ceremony of the handing over of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, he said:]

And now we turn with faith to the Virgin Mary, so that she will always watch over the path of the young and that she will help us to live Holy Week well.

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