I encourage all of you to follow along in some way the Beautification of John Paul II. He began WYD. If you do not know his story, please find it. It will change your life.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Pilgrim vs. Tourist
Here is a talk Fr. Will Prospero gave to his pilgrims. He includes the five rules of pilgrimage and the story of St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Ignatius is one of the patrons saints for this WYD.
On a Journey
When we first began to meet we talked about the story of Exodus (going out). We know the story is about God freeing his people from slavery in Egypt and leading them into the desert towards the Promised Land. We read about the spectacular miracles God performs, the Nile River turned into blood, locusts, flies, frogs, Passover and the parting of the Red Sea. God will care for His people and perform miracles throughout the whole journey! How powerful and great is Our God!
However, that is not the real struggle in the story. It almost seems easy for God to free His people from the slavery of the Egyptians. What seems to be the real issue at hand is how to free the hearts of the people. The hearts of the Hebrews were filled with things from Egypt. They had begun worshipping the Egyptian gods. Even though they were slaves, they knew they could count on the Egyptians providing them food, shelter and protection. To a degree, they had become comfortable in their slavery. They believed that that Egypt did more to keep them alive then what God did. They lived in a lie.
So Exodus is not just about how God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, it is also how God freed the hearts of His people from Egypt. How did He do this? He took them on a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey. As you read, you will notice that the journey was not easy! There were many obstacles and hardships, each one having a purpose. God used each hardship to show the people what was in their heart that kept them from fully letting Him in to it.
John Paul II said to us many times, “BE NOT AFRAID! THROW OPEN THE DOORS TO YOUR HEARTS!” I am sure if we have the courage to do this we will see many things there that don’t leave room for God. During the time you prepare for WYD and the time you are there, God we reach into your heart and pull something out. He will show it to you clearly. Then he will ask you, “Do you love this more than me?” He will then wait for your response. He will keep doing this over and over. When this happens He will not leave an empty space there. He will fill it with Himself! How powerful and great is Our God! Let us pray with the psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalm 51
However, that is not the real struggle in the story. It almost seems easy for God to free His people from the slavery of the Egyptians. What seems to be the real issue at hand is how to free the hearts of the people. The hearts of the Hebrews were filled with things from Egypt. They had begun worshipping the Egyptian gods. Even though they were slaves, they knew they could count on the Egyptians providing them food, shelter and protection. To a degree, they had become comfortable in their slavery. They believed that that Egypt did more to keep them alive then what God did. They lived in a lie.
So Exodus is not just about how God freed His people from slavery in Egypt, it is also how God freed the hearts of His people from Egypt. How did He do this? He took them on a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey. As you read, you will notice that the journey was not easy! There were many obstacles and hardships, each one having a purpose. God used each hardship to show the people what was in their heart that kept them from fully letting Him in to it.
John Paul II said to us many times, “BE NOT AFRAID! THROW OPEN THE DOORS TO YOUR HEARTS!” I am sure if we have the courage to do this we will see many things there that don’t leave room for God. During the time you prepare for WYD and the time you are there, God we reach into your heart and pull something out. He will show it to you clearly. Then he will ask you, “Do you love this more than me?” He will then wait for your response. He will keep doing this over and over. When this happens He will not leave an empty space there. He will fill it with Himself! How powerful and great is Our God! Let us pray with the psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalm 51
Friday, September 17, 2010
"Men and women were created for something great, for infinity."
As we begin the journey, I thought the words from our Holy Father would be an appropriate place to begin.
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100806_youth_en.html
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100806_youth_en.html
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Some Shared Thoughts
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"
"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"
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.
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