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Posted
by John Donna on 7/17/2008 at 8:11:48 AM EST.
Subject: Thursday update. |
| Sorry about not changing the home page. I left without my password to change the web page.
It's Wednesday night. This morning we attended the second session of Catechesis, this time by a Bishop from Australia. He talked about today's gospel and the response of Peter to Jesus's question who do they and who do you say I am. The answers he gave to questions from the congregation were also very illuminating. I have some thinking to do, which is always a good sign after catechesis.
The Pope arrived this afternoon. We watched him come into the harbor, and then he passed only a few feet from us in the Pope mobile. It was too fast to get anything but a brief glimpse, but there was definitely something you could call a "papal presence" that we felt as soon as he was in the area.
Juan Alvarado played in the semifinals today, but was beaten out by the other team. Juan and Iris are doing well. We got to see them only briefly today.
Tomorrow, we are looking forward to Stations of the Cross and a Matt Maher concert.
God bless all who pray for us and support us at home. Thank you.
John Donna |
Posted
by John Donna on 7/16/2008 at 5:43:26 AM EST.
Subject: Report from Sydney - Wednesday |
| Today is Wednesday, July 16th in Sydney and I'm sitting in an internet cafe on Market Street watching 100's of pilgrims going by the window on their way to Hyde park and St Mary's Cathedral and Darling Harbor. The opening mass last night had, it seemed hundreds of bishops and 1000's of priests concelebrating mass. There were over 150,000 people in the Barangaroo auditorium area, built especially for WYD, waving flags and singing. The mass included native dances, an orchestra and operatic renditions of mass music. It took place at sundown and finished at night. Communion was distributed by priests who came along the aisles, stopping along the crowd control barriers and it reminded me of a flock being fed. Afterwards there was a wonderful concert, finished off by fireworks. We had left early, however, to catch up with Iris and Juan, our confirmation candidate and sponsor, before they had to turn in for the night.
Our biggest problems are deciding what to do as a group and how to find each other again when we separate. Everywhere we go, there are young adults from all over the world carrying signs and singing songs from their country. Our pilgrims have struck up dozens of conversations with others from many countries, among them Mexico, Panama, Lebanon, France, Germany, Spain, etc. Everyone, especially the Australians, react to the American flag we carry before us with cheers. It feels good in this crowd being an American.
Of the pilgrims that decided to participate in the Peruvian team, only one, Juan Alvarado, stuck it out and got up early enough to play with the team. Patrick was an alternate, so he left early. Juan and his team triumphed in two matches and are going on the finals in the papal tournament tomorrow.
This morning we attended catechisis at a Jesuit college, taught by a bishop from Canada that everyone in our group appreciated for his 64 year old youth and faith. He talked about the Holy Spirit and our calling in life and he had many insights including his analysis of the Holy Spirit being presented biblically in many roles through which we can recognize his presence today.
In the afternoon, after an Australian barbecue of lamb sausages, we separated and went our various ways. We are going to try to be more organized tomorrow.
In the morning, we will go to catechesis and reconciliation. The Holy Father comes in by boat tomorrow at 3:00 pm, and all along the harbour pilgrims will line to greet him. We will be there, in an area called Farm Cove, and are looking forward to being there.
Stations of the cross and a big concert on Friday. Pray for us and we will continue to pray for you. We really wish you could all be here to experience the wonderful environment and feeling here. Any other gathering this large of young people could be expected to wind up in fights and disagreements, but there is nothing but harmony and mutual respect that we find here. God bless the Australians who are welcoming us, the many volunteers and host families who are providing this experience for us, and you, at home, whose love and support have brought us here.
John Donna
"You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will
be my witnesses."
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Posted
by John Donna on 7/13/2008 at 6:36:49 PM EST.
Subject: Pilgrims in Australia |
| Arrived in Sydney safely. We are being hosted in local houses and getting to know our Australian families is one of the best experiences of the trip. We have seen and touched koalas, kangaroos, wombats and many other strange and wonderful creatures. God has blessed us. Our one mishap, Juan Alvarado's luggage being lost, was corrected a day later when the airline delivered his bag to him.
We are so grateful for everybody's support and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. This is the last day of our free time before we start in on World Youth day activities tomorrow. Love to all. |
Posted
by donquigote on 5/22/2008 at 9:57:19 AM EST.
Subject: 5/23 DANCE |
| When and where is the dance on 5/23 |
Posted
by John Donna on 11/28/2007 at 7:55:50 PM EST.
Subject: Fundraising Ideas |
| I'm interested in ideas for fundraising for a group like the SMM WYD Pilgrims. What ideas do you have? |
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