The following are some reflection thoughts given by some of our pilgrims about their experience of World Youth Day and the Church.
"Being around so many other young Catholics reinforced my faith. In today's society especially on college campuses it can be difficult to stay connected with your beliefs and with God."
"It would take a book to fully describe my experience at World Youth Day. It was an opportunity to open my heart to what God had for me and to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Through my experience I realized how universal the Catholic Church is. Seeing all different countries coming together in faith regardless of whether the countries were at peace or not was an awesome thing to experience."
"After all the World Youth Day events concluded, we sat in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney alone. I was positioned on a bench in front of a path. On one side of the path was a small shrub and on the other end was a huge tree and as I went down that path my faith just exploded inside on me and I had a new beginning."
"There was an amazing experience of the TRUE universal Catholic Church at WYD. The Holy Spirit was truly present and working in all those participating. I brought home a sense of security and a greater trust in the Lord. I feel renewed in my faith and filled with the knowledge that the Lord of all wants me to be a witness to His people."
"There are really no words to describe our experience of WYD. I think the easiest way to describe it is through our actions. Hopefully, we can pass along our excitement to be a Catholic and happiness to have a strengthened relationship with Jesus."
"Words can not describe the many AMAZING experiences of World Youth Day 2008. I have received courage and a whole new appreciation for my faith. God has truly filled my heart with His love and friendship. I now know there are so many more people out there that I can share my faith with. I am no longer afraid!"
"WYD 2008 was a joyous, inspiring and very heart warming experience. It brought moments and memories that made my faith grow. Seeing the pope, sharing Mass with people from around the world and living in Kiama and Sydney were all totally worth it! Sharing faith, loving God, praising the Lord, the people, the places, the beautiful times shared, all helped me grow in my faith! Thank You!"
"World Youth Day reminded me that our faith is novel, new, young and energizing. The global expression of our faith is especially invigorating because we know and see that it is full of life in many places. I also know that having made the pilgrimage, God has blessed me with a gift if His Spirit."
"WYD was the most amazing experience of my life. Not only did we get to learn the culture of Australia, but we also got to spend time with awesome host families and see beautiful sights. Most importantly, we got to share our faith with people from all over. Constantly learning and growing with the help of the Holy Spirit"
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Good to be Home!
As many of you figured out, I was not able to keep the blog updated during our pilgrimage. It turned out to be more of a chore than expected. The internet in Australia is still pay by the minute. So I didn't want to run up a bill for my host family. I also found internet cafe's, but it would be far to expensive to go there everyday also.
I know most of you still kept up with news from WYD. We were also very blessed to have so many people back home praying for us. Everyday I recieved an email from someone telling me that they were praying for our pilgrimage. I hope the graces we received will be passed on to all of you.
I am asking several of the pilgrims to post some testamonies of their expereinces. There is no way for me to sum up all that happened by myself.
I know most of you still kept up with news from WYD. We were also very blessed to have so many people back home praying for us. Everyday I recieved an email from someone telling me that they were praying for our pilgrimage. I hope the graces we received will be passed on to all of you.
I am asking several of the pilgrims to post some testamonies of their expereinces. There is no way for me to sum up all that happened by myself.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Saginaw pilgrims featured in Austrailian press
The South Coast Register out of Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, featured two World Youth Day pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
Check out the story: http://nowra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/pilgrims-progress-in-the-shoalhaven/810325.aspx
Check out the story: http://nowra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/pilgrims-progress-in-the-shoalhaven/810325.aspx
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
From Down Under!
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.
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.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Rising of a Star...Continued
OK. I thought it was a pretty cool idea to ask a musician to come along to provided music for us wherever we may end up. However, this is getting way out of control! Check out the schedule of our singers.
Here's the scoop on the events we are doing!
Thursday, 16th, Friday, 17th, and Saturday the 18th, Dawn, Alicia, David, and I are helping with a catechetical session which will include Mass.
Wednesday 2pm - 2:45pm, the 15th, we will be performing at Palm Grove in Darling Harbour. (This is the harbour where the Pope comes in.)
Thursday the 16th at 6pm - possibly 9pm, David and I will be playing with the David Vogel Band, Dana, and Fr. Stan Fortuna at the Sydney Opera House.
Friday 6pm -7, 8pm, - 10pm, we will be performing with the John Angotti Band in Palm Grove and David Vogel and Fr. Stan.
Sunday, July 19th, I will be singing with OCP and WLP artists for the USCCB Mass and Concert, beginning at 8am.
Also, Sunday July 19 Randwick Racetrack SCP 1:00pm - 1:40pm with the David Vogel Band.
Wow! I can't believe all of these opportunities we've been given to do music ministry!!
Here's the scoop on the events we are doing!
Thursday, 16th, Friday, 17th, and Saturday the 18th, Dawn, Alicia, David, and I are helping with a catechetical session which will include Mass.
Wednesday 2pm - 2:45pm, the 15th, we will be performing at Palm Grove in Darling Harbour. (This is the harbour where the Pope comes in.)
Thursday the 16th at 6pm - possibly 9pm, David and I will be playing with the David Vogel Band, Dana, and Fr. Stan Fortuna at the Sydney Opera House.
Friday 6pm -7, 8pm, - 10pm, we will be performing with the John Angotti Band in Palm Grove and David Vogel and Fr. Stan.
Sunday, July 19th, I will be singing with OCP and WLP artists for the USCCB Mass and Concert, beginning at 8am.
Also, Sunday July 19 Randwick Racetrack SCP 1:00pm - 1:40pm with the David Vogel Band.
Wow! I can't believe all of these opportunities we've been given to do music ministry!!
NEWS to SHARE!
This blog is only one way that people at home will be able to follow our pilgrimage. Starting next Monday at 8:30 am two of our pilgrims will be interviewed by Teresa Tomeo on 990 AM and 1440 AM Catholic Radio. They will also be interviewed the following two Mondays at the same time. The last two will be live interviews from Australia!
Tell your families and friends to listen!
Tell your families and friends to listen!
From Dawn
Hi everybody!
I am thrilled to have so many chances to sing and pray with you! And I can't wait to meet everybody and make more Catholic friends... I'm also stoked for Noelle and ecstatic to see her being offered so many opportunities to praise God on stage during our celebration! There are a lot of things that have been on my mind that I thought I'd share on this blog... Here goes...
This will be my third WYD (Denver and Toronto were the first two :), and I have to say that they always are very powerful, convicting experiences that make me feel the holy presence of the Universal Church. It is overwhelming at times-- so completely unifying-- and truly unlike anything else I've ever experienced. I am looking forward to that feeling of being with tons of other people who adhere to the same beliefs that I do. I have moved around a lot in the last few years, and all my Catholic friends are very scattered. It has been incredibly hard at times to be Catholic, and although I have a very intense love of Jesus and the Church on my own, it will be nice to share that with many others. :) Here is a quote that gives me great hope:
"By opening your very being and your whole life under the gaze of Christ, you will not be crushed -- quite the contrary: You will discover that you are infinitely loved," Pope Benedict affirms. "You will receive the power that you need in order to build your lives and to make the choices that present themselves to you every day."
In the absolute insanity surrounding the last couple of weeks of preparation for this trip, this quote encapsulates what I've been striving to hold onto-- the paradox of loss being gain, and death being life. It is a hard-- almost impossible-- thing to remember and believe in when the trials of my regular life crop up. The types of pressures and decisions we all have to make, especially as young people trying to live counter-cultural, holy lives in our completely unsupportive world, are weighty and unfair. And sometimes it doesn't seem like adhering to the label of Catholicism or Christianity makes it any easier! But it is only when I go deeper into the faith-- beyond the label, beyond the obligation of 'religion'-- do I ever allow myself to benefit from the real fruits of freedom given by God-- namely, LOVE.
In preparation for this trip, I've personally been trying to focus on that infinite LOVE of Christ, and to be aware of my (to quote Fight Club) "ability to let that which does not matter truly slide." I get entirely too caught up in trying to "win" God's love by doing more and more, praying more and more, making myself feel more and more guilty over sin, that I don't hear Him saying to me: "Dawn. Chill. I am right here. And I love you."
I'm really looking forward to this trip and to sharing our love of Jesus, the Eucharist, Mary, the Saints, and... Catholicism!
Peace!
Dawn Apang
I am thrilled to have so many chances to sing and pray with you! And I can't wait to meet everybody and make more Catholic friends... I'm also stoked for Noelle and ecstatic to see her being offered so many opportunities to praise God on stage during our celebration! There are a lot of things that have been on my mind that I thought I'd share on this blog... Here goes...
This will be my third WYD (Denver and Toronto were the first two :), and I have to say that they always are very powerful, convicting experiences that make me feel the holy presence of the Universal Church. It is overwhelming at times-- so completely unifying-- and truly unlike anything else I've ever experienced. I am looking forward to that feeling of being with tons of other people who adhere to the same beliefs that I do. I have moved around a lot in the last few years, and all my Catholic friends are very scattered. It has been incredibly hard at times to be Catholic, and although I have a very intense love of Jesus and the Church on my own, it will be nice to share that with many others. :) Here is a quote that gives me great hope:
"By opening your very being and your whole life under the gaze of Christ, you will not be crushed -- quite the contrary: You will discover that you are infinitely loved," Pope Benedict affirms. "You will receive the power that you need in order to build your lives and to make the choices that present themselves to you every day."
In the absolute insanity surrounding the last couple of weeks of preparation for this trip, this quote encapsulates what I've been striving to hold onto-- the paradox of loss being gain, and death being life. It is a hard-- almost impossible-- thing to remember and believe in when the trials of my regular life crop up. The types of pressures and decisions we all have to make, especially as young people trying to live counter-cultural, holy lives in our completely unsupportive world, are weighty and unfair. And sometimes it doesn't seem like adhering to the label of Catholicism or Christianity makes it any easier! But it is only when I go deeper into the faith-- beyond the label, beyond the obligation of 'religion'-- do I ever allow myself to benefit from the real fruits of freedom given by God-- namely, LOVE.
In preparation for this trip, I've personally been trying to focus on that infinite LOVE of Christ, and to be aware of my (to quote Fight Club) "ability to let that which does not matter truly slide." I get entirely too caught up in trying to "win" God's love by doing more and more, praying more and more, making myself feel more and more guilty over sin, that I don't hear Him saying to me: "Dawn. Chill. I am right here. And I love you."
I'm really looking forward to this trip and to sharing our love of Jesus, the Eucharist, Mary, the Saints, and... Catholicism!
Peace!
Dawn Apang
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
What can you expect to see?
We are only 13 days away! I want to thank everyone who came yesterday. For those who didn't please feel free to keep in contact so you know what is going on.
I wanted to share a few pictures of the sights you may see.
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge - We will walk across the bridge on the way to the Papal Mass.
Sydney Skyline- The boat in the picture was massive!
I wanted to share a few pictures of the sights you may see.
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge - We will walk across the bridge on the way to the Papal Mass.
Sydney Skyline- The boat in the picture was massive!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
From an Experienced World Youth Day Pilgrim
I am going to World Youth Day because pilgrimages always end up being life changing experiences for me, World Youth Days in particular. There's something about combining world travel with a deep religious experience that speaks to the soul in ways that little else does. For me, the 2005 in Germany was a big jump, especially being from a small town where most people will never take a trip to Europe. Waking up in a house where everyone spoke a different language than I did really took me out of my comfort zone. I think it's in leaving our comfort zone sometimes that the Lord can work through us the most. Now granted the language barrier will still exist when we go to Australia but I know that the Lord has many things planned for me there, probably most of which will be uncomfortable. But, the bottom line to me is that by experiencing those things and all of the other parts of World Youth Day, I know that I will come back a different, more well balanced person, who is even more prepared to do the work of the Lord.
I have been to World Youth Days in Toronto in 2002 with John Paul II and with Pope Benedict XVI in Germany in 2005.
You know, I don't really look at the things I will be giving up as sacrifices going into this trip because I have already seen with past trips how much the blessings out weigh the sacrifices. Sure I will not be able to see my family and friends during that time and I will not be able to do the things that I like to do in my spare time. I don't let those things hold me back because I put my trust in the Lord, knowing that I would never improve as a person if I did not get out and try new things. This trip will give me an opportunity to make many new friends. Who knows, maybe it will be like in Germany where the family I stayed with was able to come to Michigan and visit my family. The other thing I think about is how I will be able to take this experience and bring a piece of it back to everyone I come in contact with for the rest of my life. Most people we know will never get to do something like this and our testimony can be a small way for them to share in the trip. So with all of those things in mind, the sacrifices seem very small to me.
I have been to World Youth Days in Toronto in 2002 with John Paul II and with Pope Benedict XVI in Germany in 2005.
You know, I don't really look at the things I will be giving up as sacrifices going into this trip because I have already seen with past trips how much the blessings out weigh the sacrifices. Sure I will not be able to see my family and friends during that time and I will not be able to do the things that I like to do in my spare time. I don't let those things hold me back because I put my trust in the Lord, knowing that I would never improve as a person if I did not get out and try new things. This trip will give me an opportunity to make many new friends. Who knows, maybe it will be like in Germany where the family I stayed with was able to come to Michigan and visit my family. The other thing I think about is how I will be able to take this experience and bring a piece of it back to everyone I come in contact with for the rest of my life. Most people we know will never get to do something like this and our testimony can be a small way for them to share in the trip. So with all of those things in mind, the sacrifices seem very small to me.
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