This is the first time I have been able to find time to get to a computer. We have been here for about 20 hours. Unfortunately, we were greeted with some cold and wet weather. Today it is looking much better.
Even though we have hit a few snags here and there we have all made it to Australia! We were separated a few times on different flights, but we always were able to regroup at each airport. We have two guys still waiting for their luggage to arrive. We hope to get those today.
Our whole group was able to meet up in Los Angeles. This was the first time we have been able to do this. We had people flying from Saginaw, Detroit, Chicago and Denver. Once we all got through security we celebrated Mass together at our gate. Before we began there was so much chaos around us. People were talking loud, the speaker system was trying to give directions that you couldn't understand and even a group of girls were playing volleyball. As soon as we began singing our opening song everyone at the gate stopped what they were doing and either joined us or watched. Fr. Denis reminded us and let everyone else there know in his homily that we are in a pilgrimage. We have to find the time and carve out a space from the chaos and noise of the world to find God and listen to Him.
We have even experienced our first miracle. One girl's backpack didn't arrive in Brisbane. So we filed some paperwork so when it was found it could be sent to us. We then said a prayer to St. Anthony to help. It was about a half our later that our group in Melbourne called and asked if we were missing a bag. They had found it in Melbourne! They were able to check it through to Sydney and the pilgrim and her belongings were reunited!
We were greeted at St. Peter and Paul Parish, Kiama yesterday afternoon. We celebrated Mass with some of their youth who were prepared with music. The bishop of Wollongong was waiting for us to arrive but because we arrived a few hours late he had to leave. We have all been given wonderful people to stay with and we are in a beautiful town with rolling hills right on the coast. Today we will get together for Mass and then have a free day with our host families to see some sights of Kiama.
Please keep us in your prayers.
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16 comments:
So GREAT to hear from you! We will continue to hold you in prayer. May you all be blessed with renewed energy -- body and spirit.
We will pray for luggage to be reunited with owners and for the sun to shine brightly upon you.
Stay in touch!
Looks like posts show up in west coast time -- just to keep our brains hopping!
Praise God!
Thanks to God and all the wonderful folks who have worked and are still working on making this a trip of a lifetime.
Not only do our young people get to travel to the amazing country of Australia, but even more importantly, they will encounter Christ in a profound way...through celebrating the sacraments with other young Catholics from around the world, and by stepping out in faith to experience this event. God is good, and may each of you on this trip -- whether young, adult, religious, or priest -- encounter the lving Christ as you never have before...come back to us empowered and enlightened and with a faith lively and on fire. God is ready to do awesome works through you in order to spread the Holy Spirit! Bless you all and pray for us and we will pray for you! Again, thanks to all those who have made this dream a reality.
AMEN!!!!!
It was great hearing from you! I'm glad you called me yesterday, Sheri. Brent misses both of you very much! That was totally awesome celebrating Mass at the airport. Keep us posted on all your adventures. Love and prayers!
Just wanted to let you all know I posted some photos and a few thoughts at my own MSN space. You can see them at http://abooms.spaces.msn.com
All is well!
Fr. Andy
All WYD pilgrims from the Diocese of Saginaw remain in my prayers. Saints Aloysius Gonzaga, John Berchmans, and Brigid of Kildare pray for us!
Nick Schmelter
St. Brigid of Kildare
Midland, MI
Thank you, thank you!! Our son, brother & sister-in-law is over with your group and viewing Fr. Andy's pictures made me feel as if we were there too!! What a beautiful place! Thank you for the updates - keep us posted!
God bless each of you during your pilgrimage. Each of you have been blessed by God with this wonderful opportunity to grow in faith! My prayers are with you.
G'day Mates!
Hope you're all having a wonderful experience in Kiama or wherever you have landed this week. It sounds like many of you have been placed near each other -- Praise God for such a blessing. I have received a number of e-mails from travelers, host families and Michigan friends and families that I'm posting on a companion blog:
http://wyd-saginaw-friends.blogspot.com
If you'd like to become an author on the blog to share similar messages, send me an email and I'll be happy to authorize you.
May God continue to richly bless all of our traveling pilgrims in Australia!
Lovely to hear from you.Clare phoned today and is having a super time. She has been blessed with a wonderful host family and inspirational fellow travelers (thank-you Trudy and Fr Dennis for your spiritual direction)
We hold you all in our prayers at home and in the parish!!!! God Bless
Many Michganders in the U.P. are praying for all of you!
On July 14th, please wish Eddie Dwyer a Happy Birthday for us! May the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha be with him and all of you down under!
God bless and stay in touch!
Happy Birthday Eddie Dwyer!
FAITH DAY @ LOONS STADIUM
The weekend after pilgrims return from Australia, area churches will be celebrating FAITH DAY at LOONS stadium. Game time is 3:05 on Sunday, July 27. St. Brigid is hosting a tailgate party after the 11:30 mass.
There are about 40 tickets left. This would be a fun opportunity for pilgrims to relax with family, friends and some of their Catholic faith community.
Tickets are just $6. An eletronic flyer is available on the companion blog: wyd-saginaw-friends@blogspot.com
There are a limited number of tickets available for this event, so act SOON if you are interested. THANKS!
GREAT to hear from you, Victoria! THANK YOU, HOST FAMILY and PAULA, for making your phones available! THANK YOU, HOST FAMILY for billeting my daughter! THANK YOU for making her b-day special, and everyone else that also helped!
THANK GOD FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY! GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours!
Watched the opening Mass and the pope's arrival -AMAZING!
Loved reading about Mass at the gate in LAX and your other stories listed. Please keep them coming! Have to remember to listen to Teresa Tomeo next week!
It's 9:07 a.m. and this mom's at the computer checking out WYD sites and wondering how (& where) her boys are. By God's blessing, the phone rings and it's Matthew, calling on Paula's phone from Australia (thank you Paula)!
Our little group (of 70) is ALIVE and doing fine. I've been promised TONS of pictures once they return. Getting to an internet site is difficult, so for now, the group is largely incommunicado. They will review the week's events tomorrow (Monday) and rest up on Tuesday -- maybe take in a movie --and head back to the States early Wednesday morning.
It has been a wonderful experience and the leadership team is already talking about plans for WYD 2011 in Madrid!
Let's keep them in our prayers as they leave the Spirit-rich venue in Australia and make their way home to us.
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