WYD Updates

July 11, Friday - 11:15 a.m.

Well I finally arrived in Sydney. What a long trip. Yes, it is Friday morning here already. The friars met me at the airport which was jammed with pilgrims from around the world. WYD even has a big booth set up at the airport for pilgrims. Priests and nuns in habits and lots and lots of pilgrims. There is a real energy in the air. Since I have been the prisoner of an airplane or airport for 3 days, I am going to rest a bit before the friars gather for prayers and lunch at 12:15. Afterwards, Brother John and I are going to go out and about to get me familiar with Sydney. More to come but just wanted everyone to know that I made it safe and sound. Keep the prayers coming. God bless.

St. Fiacres

This is my "home away from home" - St. Fiacres.

July 12, Saturday - 6:30 a.m.

I got to see a little bit of Sydney yesterday. The trip really caught up to me. I ended up sleeping from 4 pm to 6 am this morning.

Yesterday afternoon we checked out the Italian Forum, which is right down the street. We will be having a big program there called "A Capuchin Gala" on Wednesday. Some of the catechesis will take place at the parish where I am staying, St. Fiacre's in Leichhardt, 96 Catherine Street. The parish school here has been turned into a place for pilgrims to come and sleep. As for friars, there are many of us here where I am staying, somewhere in the area of 20. The parish is run by the Capuchins and the whole make-up of the friary is very Capuchin. It nice to feel at home with your brothers, whom you never met before.

Keep the prayers coming!! and we'll continue to pray for you.

By the way, there are strange sounds coming from outside. The friars warned me they have some strange sounding birds in the area. Now I know what they mean. See if I can get a picture of some. Here are few to get you started.

Our airplane view from my window

Our airplane, a view from my bedroom window, and the Italian Forum.

Italian Forum

The U.S. is sending the largest international group to WYD. Read about it here: http://www.usccb.org/wyd/

July 13, Sunday - 12:15 p.m.

I began the day by concelebrating Mass here at St. Fiacre's. Interesting church - both the structure and the people. I was at the 9:30 am. The 11:30 is an Italian Mass. They are celebrating St. Catherine of Alexandria today. They have a big lifesize statue of her, lots of banners, flowers and lots of people, including an archbishop from Italy. The day is kinda overcast. Again, the birds are beautiful. It is nice to see parrots (then have a different name for them) with their vibrant colors flying around. Right now I am looking at a large black and white bird with an interesting sound. It is almost the size of a crow. Later today I am going to the "dress rehearsal" for Brother John's piece at St. Stephen's. He said it is coming along nicely. Tonight will be the tell tale. The girl who has the solo part has her picture posted all over Sydney, on the buses, billboards, you name it. Our Holy Father will be arriving about 3:00 this afternoon. More to come.

St Fiacre Refectory - St. Fiacre Friary Sanctuary

Top: St. Fiacre Church, Friary dining room (refectory), front of the Friary, sanctuary of St. Fiacre Church (Sydney).

This banner is hanging in front of the Friary. Banner

July 14, Monday morning

Yesterday we went to the rehearsal of Brother John "Holy Rosary." I must say I was impressed. It is a small string ensemble and a small chorus but I realize that the number does not make a difference, but rather the quality of the members. It was wonderful. Can't wait until Thursday for the actual World Premiere. PS-that is the back of Brother John's head in the picture of the cathedral.

On the way to town Bro. John, Fr. Carmel and I did a bit of touring. Strange but it is dark here by 4:30. Thus the reason for the night shots. Anyway, we stopped to visit the Cathedral of St. Mary. Pilgrims filled the church just to sit and pray. Outside there was lots of excitement as the actual day of WYD begins (see the picture with 2 days left). Inside the Cathedral was the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian layman who was very involved in works of charity and in love with the Eucharist, Mary and the Church. A man full of life and vigor, he died at the age of 24. If you get some time read about him but clicking his name. Below is a picture of his wooden casket. It just just an uplifting evening and as I said before, there is energy in the air. Not sure yet what is on todays agenda but I'll keep you posted. God bless.

July 14, Monday - 4:30 p.m.

What a beautiful day it was. The sun was out and it was just great. That's good because we did a lot of walking today.

This morning I visited with Archbishop Anthony Apron, OFM Cap. from Guam. He stopped by the house to say hello. Yesterday evening it was Bishop Paul Hinder, also a Capuchin from Arabia. We took the bus to town to get our paperwork and picture completed so as to participate as a priest in the WYD activities. It was nice seeing about 40 of us walking around, jumping on the buses, posing for pictures with pilgrim groups, etc. We split up after a while and headed to the Opera House and Sydney Harbor. What a place. It was just buzzing with pilgrims, 1,000's of them from all over the world. Before heading out, all the friars gathered at our house, which is central to everything. There are friars from NY, NJ, VT, MA, PA, CO, CA, East Timor, Guam, New Guenia, and I am sure I am missing some. Sorry. These are just the English speaking friars that are grouping here with us. We did see others in our travels. I must have hit something wrong on my camera as todays pictures came out in black and white. Sorry about that. I have all my credentials and stole for tomorrow and the opening Mass of WYD. I am sure EWTN will be covering it live. Until next time, God bless.

Friars Me and friends

Opera house Friars 2

WORLD YOUTH DAY CROSS ARRIVES IN SYDNEY!!!!!!!!!!

(click this link to read more)

July 15, Tuesday -- 10:00 pm

WOW!!!! Not exactly sure what words to use to describe the opening day of WYD. We started the day early by heading to the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Center. We had a vocations booth there along with many other orders and lay institutions. While that was going on we took a break to go outside the Center where it was a festival of culture. Each country was performing a number of songs and traditional dances. They were so full of color and life. As you'll see below, I got my picture taken a couple of times. I spent a good part of the day with our brothers from New Guenia. From there we took to long walk to Barangaroo where Cardinal Pell celebrated the opening Mass which was the official start of WYD. What a liturgy! It began with much of the dress and music of the Australian Aboriginals. They led the Icon and the World Youth Day Cross to the sanctuary followed by the Cardinals and Cardinal Pell. All of the bishops and priests, about 4,000 I would guess were there to concelebrate. Just before the actual opening of the Mass we had a very warm welcome from the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honorable Kevin Rudd. Words just cannot describe the energy with the songs, the people and just the working of the Holy Spirit there today. We began the day by leaving here at 9:00 am. We returned at 9:15 pm so it has been a long day. We begin tomorrow with our catechesis by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, O.F.M.Cap. here at St. Fiacre's and a few hundred youth. More on that tomorrow. Thanks for the prayers!!! God bless. (Sorry I can't put all my pictures here. Just too many of them.) Top row below is me with the friars from New Guenia and me and them with two men pilgrims from one of the islands.

Friars Friars 2

WYD Cross Priests Aboroginies

Here was the CNS Story this morning, July 16th:

World Youth Day kicks off in Sydney with Mass, dancing, testimonies

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- World Youth Day officially kicked off July 15 with an opening Mass celebrated by Sydney Cardinal George Pell before an estimated 140,000 people.

Before the Mass, as the pilgrims gathered on the old docklands at Barangaroo, they heard testimonies of faith experiences at previous World Youth Days, watched dancing by a variety of Aboriginal Australian and South Pacific islander groups and cheered a procession of 160 national flags.

While the official welcoming dances were taking place onstage, a group of six young men from Papua New Guinea offered their own choreographed blessing to the four directions of the compass from the place they found to stand in front of the estimated 4,000 concelebrating priests.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd welcomed the pilgrims in a dozen languages, ending by saying that he would speak in Australian, "G'day and have a great time Down Under."

The Mass combined ancient chants, standard hymns, native singing and the anthem written specifically for World Youth Day, "Receive the Power." Women from Australia's Tiwi Islands sang as the Book of the Gospels was presented.

In his homily, Cardinal Pell encouraged the young people to use the July 15-20 celebration as a time not simply to celebrate their faith with peers from around the world, but to strengthen their commitment to Christ and to open further their hearts and minds to God's will for their lives.

He also spoke to those who may not be practicing Catholics or have any connection to any religion: "Christ is calling you home to love, healing and community."

"Secular wisdom claims that leopards do not change their spots, but we Christians believe in the power of the Spirit to convert and change persons away from evil to good, from fear and uncertainty to faith and hope," he said.

Even those who believe and who practice their faith need to do more, Cardinal Pell said.

"Our task is to be open to the power of the Spirit, to allow the God of surprises to act through us," he said.

Too many times, Christians profess and practice their faith, but they try to do it very comfortably and without taking risks, he said.

"Following Christ is not cost-free, not always easy, because it requires struggling against what St. Paul calls 'the flesh,' our fat relentless egos, old-fashioned selfishness. It is always a battle, even for old people like me," the 67-year-old cardinal said.

"Don't spend your life sitting on the fence," Cardinal Pell told them, "because only commitments bring fulfillment."

The cardinal also prayed that everyone who had come to Australia for World Youth Day would be blessed and glad they came "despite the cost, hassles and distances traveled."

END

July 16, Wednesday -- 10:00 p.m.

Another exciting day at WYD Sydney. Today began the catechesis sessions. We began with song and prayer at 9:00 a.m. Following that was our catechesis for the day with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Capuchin. The topic for today was "Called to live in the Holy Spirit" (Gal. 5:25). Pilgrims from parts of Australia, England and yes, New York were part of our group of almost 250. After the Cardinal talked we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then Mass. I was one of 10 concelebrants with Cardinal Sean and a bishop from Paraquay. My camera was in my pocket for that so no shots. I did get one during the catechesis and when finished, all the Capuchins present gathered for a group shot with Cardinal Sean. Remember the game "Where's Waldo"? Let's play again. This time, where is Fr. Martin? We all grabbed lunch after then headed for the Italian Forum. Wow, what a lot of fun that was. A few hundred gathered to sing and dance and just celebrate the Spirit. Various bands came to perform. I along with 3 of my brothers, we were called upon to head to the Sydney Opera House to handle confessions. After a short walk, a long bus ride, and then a looong walk, we reached the Opera House. Going inside was awesome. Instead of the opera, it was Jesus. You entered into the main room and Eucharistic Adoration was talking place. Hundreds of pilgrims gathered in front of the Blessed Sacrament for quiet time of prayer and reflection. We moved to the balcony where we heard confessions for the next 3+ hours. Again, another powerful experience. About 8:00 we got the bus home, stopped at an Italian restaurant that was having a WYD special and had a quick bite, then back to the friary. Wow, I am exhausted physically, but charged spiritually. As our theme says, Receive the power... that is happening. Such witnessing and joy in Sydney. The power of the Holy Spirit is truly alive. Thanks for reading this and God bless you.

Cardinal Sean Friars Capuchins Eucharist Adoration

July 18th, Friday -- 12:15 a.m.

Thursday was a day jam packed with activity. The day began with our catechesis. Our presenter today was Bishop Joseph Oudeman, also a Capuchin, who is an auxiliary bishop here in Brisbane, Australia. The theme today was: Holy Spirit: soul of the Church (1 Corn. 12:13). After another exciting talk, confessions, Mass and lunch, we all headed to Barangaroo for the welcome of the Holy Father. He arrived by boat-a-cade on Sydney Harbor. Local media estimated the crowd at 500,000, far more than expected. Again, there was energy in the air. Entering the gate we were assigned the first area along with the Missionaries of Charity. The friars lined the fence, handed out high-fives while the sisters followed handing a relic of Mother Teresa to all the pilgrims. I think our little corner had the most energy. The police was amazed at the spirit. After patient waiting the Holy Father passed right in front of us in his popemobile. We were about 5 feet away. He passed us and entered Sydney where he had a motorcade through the streets to the Cathedral of St. Mary where he stayed the night. Just down the road, about a block or so, we gathered at 8:00 for the Holy Rosary. We had almost a full chuch. It as an absolutely beautiful experience. Brother John's Rosary was so moving and meditative, one man, about 25 came up and said it brought him to tears. It was a full day and honestly, I am totally exhausted. Tomorrow, we awake and go through it all again. Ah, to be a pilgrim. God is good. God bless you.

July 18th, Friday -- 8:30 a.m.

Well we just finished breakfast, with Capuchin Archbishop Anthony Apuron joining us. Now ready to head to our catechesis and then off to the Stations of the Cross.

July 19th, Saturday -- 12:15 a.m.

Just returned from another glorious, but cold, day here in Sydney. Again today we began our catechesis with Archbishop Anthony at St. Fiacre's. Our topic and focus today was: Sent out into the world: The Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mission. (Acts 1:8). Today we added to our group pilgrims from Turkey. They got us all up with some "liturgical movement." But it was outdone with a group of Capuchins who had everyone on their feet and moving. Everyone was definitely awake when they finished. Gathering on the grounds afterwards for confession, we regrouped for Mass, then lunch, and the trek into town for the Stations of the Cross. It really hit home to our group as the Pilgrim Cross, followed by Simon of Cyrene carried a large cross, followed by Jesus and the soldiers, Mary and her companions. It passed right in front of us. From out vantage point we could actually see the crucifixion scene. This lasted a few hours. We then pulled up some ground and sat on the floor for some lunch and then the walk to the Opera House where again Eucharistic Adoration was going on. There was actually a line of people waiting to get in. The Missionary of Charity Sisters did a marvelous job in maintaining the atmosphere while at the same time trying to get everyone in. In the balcony we priests were hearing confession. It is always special, but extra special for me tonight. A religious Brother came to celebrate the sacrament. After I asked his community. He belongs to the Brothers of St. John. When I asked where he was stationed, I nearly fell off my chair. This is my Jubilee year, 25 years as a priest and Brother Gabriel Thomas is assigned to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Orange, NJ, the church where I was ordained a priest. WOW. When he said that it all rushed back to me. Another of those "God-incidences." Tonight was beautiful, hearing confessions from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. As always, God is good.

dancing Archbishop Anthony

WYD cross Simon

crucifixion Bro Gabriel

Relic of Mother Teresa of Calcuta

July 19th, Saturday -- 10:00 a.m.

Ah, to relax a bit. Nothing is scheduled for this morning so it gave us a bit of extra sleep time and just time to unwind. Still praying about today and whether or not I will attend the Vigil. While I would love to be there, the main draw back is that it is a simple, yea right, 8 mile walk. As the old saying goes, the "old gray mare just ain't what it used to be." Not sure if I can walk that, then come home, and do it again in the morning for the Papal Mass. We are a mixed group, some going and some staying. I think my legs will be the one to give me the answer. I have collected a few more pictures for you. We have begun trading them as well as email addresses. Also, I have a log from our General Curia and on it is the blog of Brother Mark. He is staying here with us. Brother Mark put on his blog a video of our celebration at the Italian Forum. I was glad to see it as I missed this part to go and hear confessions Wednesday. Check it out: http://justabrother.blogspot.com/ . Well, here are a few shots. Remember before the "Where's Waldo?" scene. I have another for ya. Find me in the picture below at the opening Mass. Looking at the main altar, to the right and left, really in the picture top and bottom, is a sea of white. They are all the priests. I am on the top section, row 15. I can see me as clear as day. Hopefully you can to. Also, each priest received a stole and on the stole is the constellation Southern Cross, which is on the Australian Flag. Below is Our Lady of the Southern Cross which hangs in the Cathedral of St. Mary in Sydney.

Be sure to check out all those words/phrases underlined in blue. Each is a link to more information.

St Mary

St. Mary Cathedral

opera house

Sydney Opera House

china town

China Town

World Youth Day Cross and Icon

Our Lady of the Southern Cross

Opening Mass at Barangaroo

Here is some great local coverage. Just hope you are able to pick it up in the states. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/19/2308365.htm The video is moving.

Also, check out Cardinal Sean O'Malley's blog. You will recognize one of the pictures there. Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M.Cap.

July 20th, Sunday -- 7:00 p.m.

World Youth Day has finally come to a close, and what a closing celebration it was. To begin with, the old gray guy made it to Randwick Track for the closing Mass. It was a bit of a hike, 4 kilometers each way. When we got to our place to concelebrate it was full. And now they had to find a place for over 100 priests. They opened up one of the VIP sections and there we concelebrated the Mass with over 5,000 others. See, we had to move, we just filled in and unfortunately, someone had to sit in the front row. Yep, a group of us friars sat in the front row. Not only were we able to see everything, some of the dignitaries entered by us. Below is a picture of the Governor General who is the representitive of the Queen, Queen Elizabeth. While he took one side, his wife did the other and I got to shake hands with her. We spoke for a moment, a very lovely lady. We also got to see the President of East Timor.

The Holy Father arrived by helicopter to a nearby location and then drove into the park at a much slower speed than the other day. He came into the park/racetrack on the other side so we didn't see that. Mass was beautiful and included the Sacrament of Confirmation for about 20 young adults. Remember, the theme of the week was "Receive the power from the Holy Spirit" so it was very fitting to celebrate the Sacrament. The Gospel procession was beautiful with dancers from the Figi Islands carrying the book of the Gospels to the deacon who would read it. Because of the overabundance of priests, we didn't get to distribute communion. When the Holy Father announced the location of the next World Youth Day, the place, especially those groups from Spain, went wild. Next location: Madrid. (Start saving your pennies!)

Coming home took some time as 500,000 people were leaving about the same time. The streets were filled with pilgrims. Hear any complains? Never, not like Sunday morning leaving the parking lot at church.

This has been a truly incrediable experience, one that I wish all of you could have been a part of. If in three years the opportunity opens that you can go, please take it. I assure you, you will not regret it. One of the most beautiful things to see is that the Church, the Roman Catholic Church, is alive and well and that there is definitely a future with the lives of many who were here this past week. To me I found so much hope and faith in our young people. They are a true treasure. It has made me and so many others proud to be Catholic, and I must say, with all that we did as Capuchin Friars, I am so proud to be a part of this incredible Order.

One other interesting miracle that took place. When we arrived last Friday, the forecaste was cloudy with strong chance of rain every day. Today was an even greater chance of rain. In the Mass we prayed for rain since Australia is in a drought. Well it ended up being a perfect week. No rain. Everything ended at Randwick at 5:00 tonight. It was around 7:00 that the rain began. We are all home, and God let the rain begin. I am sure the people of Australia, especially Sydney are questioning our prayers and our Good God.

I will be here, returning on the 25th from Sydney and arriving the 26th. If something of interest should come up while here, I'll add it to the blog. Thank you so much for taking the time to read what I have put here and for your prayers. ALLELUIA!!!!!

Below is Randwick Race Course where the final Mass was held. As I said, I was put in the overflow group. Looking at the picture on the left you see all the priests. Go down a bit and there is a very small sea of white on the left side near the green path. I am in the first row there. See me? The altar is on the left with all the red. No, I didn't take these.

July 21st, Monday -- 9:00 p.m.

I think we were all feeling the aches and pains of our travels yesterday. Today was a bit easier. After breakfast Brother John, Fr. Alberto and I traveled to Plumpton to join our friars there for a relaxing day. After a delicious turkey dinner with lots of the trimmings, we headed to Featherdale Wildlife Park to spend the afternoon checking out the various animals found here in Australia. Wow, what a tourist place. It seemed like a popular stop for WYD people. As the pictures will indicate I scratched the back of a koala, which they love. Also saw lots of kangaroos. It was a nice relaxing day. We came back to the Assumption Friary and Conference Center for prayers and dinner. The friary was built by the friars many years ago and Capuchins from our Province of the Stigmata were involved in the actual foundation of the house. Our friars were also involved in the foundation of the Province of Australia. Well we are home at St. Fiacre's and will probably call it an early night. No plans yet for Tuesday but I am sure there is something in the works. Slowly the friars are returning to there home provinces. It has been such a wonderful experience to interact with them this past week. It has been a true blessing.

And some beautiful birds....

July 22, Tuesday -- 8:00 p.m.

Today was a good day to catch up on energy. Unfortunately a good number of friars got colds, and like good brothers, we shared it with one another. I got a doozy. I relaxed most of the day but this evening went out for a nice 90 minute walk. By the way, it is the coldest day thus far, hovering in the 30's. As I was walking I realized I didn't take a picture of the exterior of the parish church. That is below, St. Fiacre's Catholic Church. Today was also Brother John's birthday. We had cake, strawberries and ice cream for dessert. Last evening we had two brother bishops from the Czech Republic staying with us. This morning Christoph Cardinal Shonborn,OP was here for Mass and tonight there is a Mass with Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Guam. Wherever you look it seems that Masses are going on.

st fiacres

St. Fiacre's Catholic Church, Leichhardt, N.S.W.

July 23, 8:30 p.m. - Wednesday

The evening news tonight said that today was the coldest day so far this year. To make it even worse, it rained on and off all day. A nice day to sit home with your brothers and be a fraternity. That is what we did. There are 8 friars living here plus our English Definitor General Brother Mark, Fr. Alberto from Italy, 2 brothers from Poland, 2 bishops from Czech Republic and of course Brother John and me. Still babying this cold of mine gave me all the more reason to stay in. Don't want to make bad worse. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we do have plans to do some exploring before we leave on Friday morning. Since I didn't get out to take any pictures, and I know some of you look forward to seeing them, I am including a few from the past week. One of course I didn't take but it gives you a great view of Sydney.


Sydney, Australia. Famous Opera House on the left.	Darling Harbour. Sydney, Australia

Harbor Bridge, Sydney, Australia	Flags tell it all. Pilgrims of the world come to celebrate.

July 24th, 9:00 a.m. - Thursday

Good morning. Ah, another rainy day in Sydney. I guess the good Lord heard the Pope's prayers for rain. Australia is in a draught and much in need of this rain. Not too welcome for us now that WYD is over and time for us to move from being pilgrims to tourists. There is no lunch today so we had our last meal, breakfast, as a community this morning and those who were there I got to take a picture with. A few were all ready off to their various apostolates. The friars here have been most welcoming and really made us feel at home. We can't thank them enough. Guess they will have to come to the US experience our hospitality. This morning I am going to the Shrine of Blessed Mary MacKillop and this afternoon back to the Opera House and its surroundings for a last taste of Sydney. Tomorrow we leave here, the friary, about 6:30 a.m. The USCCB has done a wonderful job of covering the events of WYD. If you haven't checked out their site, it is worth the time. Just double click this USCCB link. Hopefully I'll get back on here once more before I leave from down under. God bless you.

Well my friends, it looks like the journey to Australia is coming to an end. This will be my last entry from down under. After lunch the rain stopped which gave us one last time to visit Sydney. This morning amid the rain Brother Michael took me to the Shrine of Blessed Mary MacKillop. I have a few pictures of that below. Our Holy Father visited her tomb during WYD. In fact, he was the third Pope to visit the tomb. It was nice and peaceful when I entered. In the church was me and about 5 or 6 nuns. Very prayerful. As I slowly walked to the back of the church the doors opened, and thus a flood of WYD pilgrims. I took a picture or two and walked outside to see 6 tour buses lined up to drop off pilgrims. This has been a real place of pilgrimage for the past two weeks. Glad I made it there.

When the sun came out about 1:00, Brothers John and Mark and I ventured into the city. Stopped for lunch at Sydney's oldest pub in the Rocks section, and after stopped for a cup of tea and met one of our feathered friends. The waitress said he was waiting for some sugar.

When each pilgrim arrived in Sydney they were given a backpack. Included with the backpack (which really made us all stand out with their vibrant colors) was a map of Sydney, a book with the liturgies for the week, a book called The Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, a book with the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, a WYD colorful neckerchief, poncho, padding for sitting on the ground, pen, flashlight, decal, a Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a small koala bear, rosary and a few other trinkets. (see the photo below)

After we strolled along the water taking in the Opera House once again. What a beautiful structure, and to have it enjoined in the logo for WYD made it special. Walking the streets and just taking in the scenery this time with no schedules or agenda. Town Hall was quite beautiful. I snapped a picture of that from the bus. I have been home about 30 minutes now and I look out my window, the rain is coming down very heavy. Thank you God.

This has been a wonderful experience, one that I will carry with me for years to come. I can't thank our Provincial Fr. Brian for inviting me to go and represent our Province of the Sacred Stigmata. It has been a true grace. And to all of you reading this who have been praying for me and all the pilgrims, thank you. I would love to be able to bring all of you back a souvenir of this experience but that would be impossible. What I will bring back is a renewal of my Capuchin commitment and my renewed hope for the Church that I saw in our young people here. My prayers have been with you all during this time and I am so grateful for yours. And so to all of you, THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU.

PS - I am leaving here early on Friday July 25th and will be returning on the evening of Saturday, July 26th.

I have been back for a few days now and am still on a "spiritual high." While the events of WYD are over, I am still finding interesting material on the internet that I'd like to share with you, if you have time. The first is a blog of videos (UTube) that our Capuchins in Mid-America - St. Conrad Province posted. If you look close, I'm in a few of them. This will give you a real life experience of some of the events while in Sydney. Enjoy them!!

Below is a great article concerning the Holy Father's Angelus message of July 27th.

If you are a fan of YouTube, just go to the site and type in World Youth Day, or just hit the link above. There are lots of videos on there taken by some of the many pilgrims. Again, if you weren't there, it gives you a real taste of Sydney during that awesome week.

At the closing Mass at Randwick Race Course, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI gave a beautiful homily. For all of us it is good to stop and reflect upon his words to the young people of the world, and to all of us. Here is Pope Benedict's homily...

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8). We have seen this promise fulfilled! On the day of Pentecost, as we heard in the first reading, the Risen Lord, seated at the right hand of the Father, sent the Spirit upon the disciples gathered in the Upper Room. In the power of that Spirit, Peter and the Apostles went forth to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. In every age, and in every language, the Church throughout the world continues to proclaim the marvels of God and to call all nations and peoples to faith, hope and new life in Christ.

In these days I too have come, as the Successor of Saint Peter, to this magnificent land of Australia. I have come to confirm you, my young brothers and sisters, in your faith and to encourage you to open your hearts to the power of Christ’s Spirit and the richness of his gifts. I pray that this great assembly, which unites young people “from every nation under heaven” (cf. Acts 2:5), will be a new Upper Room. May the fire of God’s love descend to fill your hearts, unite you ever more fully to the Lord and his Church, and send you forth, a new generation of apostles, to bring the world to Christ!

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. These words of the Risen Lord have a special meaning for those young people who will be confirmed, sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, at today’s Mass. But they are also addressed to each of us – to all those who have received the Spirit’s gift of reconciliation and new life at Baptism, who have welcomed him into their hearts as their helper and guide at Confirmation, and who daily grow in his gifts of grace through the Holy Eucharist. At each Mass, in fact, the Holy Spirit descends anew, invoked by the solemn prayer of the Church, not only to transform our gifts of bread and wine into the Lord’s body and blood, but also to transform our lives, to make us, in his power, “one body, one spirit in Christ”.

But what is this “power” of the Holy Spirit? It is the power of God’s life! It is the power of the same Spirit who hovered over the waters at the dawn of creation and who, in the fullness of time, raised Jesus from the dead. It is the power which points us, and our world, towards the coming of the Kingdom of God. In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims that a new age has begun, in which the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all humanity (cf. Lk 4:21). He himself, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin May, came among us to bring us that Spirit. As the source of our new life in Christ, the Holy Spirit is also, in a very real way, the soul of the Church, the love which binds us to the Lord and one another, and the light which opens our eyes to see all around us the wonders of God’s grace.

Here in Australia, this “great south land of the Holy Spirit”, all of us have had an unforgettable experience of the Spirit’s presence and power in the beauty of nature. Our eyes have been opened to see the world around us as it truly is: “charged”, as the poet says, “with the grandeur of God”, filled with the glory of his creative love. Here too, in this great assembly of young Christians from all over the world, we have had a vivid experience of the Spirit’s presence and power in the life of the Church. We have seen the Church for what she truly is: the Body of Christ, a living community of love, embracing people of every race, nation and tongue, of every time and place, in the unity born of our faith in the Risen Lord.

The power of the Spirit never ceases to fill the Church with life! Through the grace of the Church’s sacraments, that power also flows deep within us, like an underground river which nourishes our spirit and draws us ever nearer to the source of our true life, which is Christ. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who died a martyr in Rome at the beginning of the second century, has left us a splendid description of the Spirit’s power dwelling within us. He spoke of the Spirit as a fountain of living water springing up within his heart and whispering: “Come, come to the Father” (cf. Ad Rom., 6:1-9).

Yet this power, the grace of the Spirit, is not something we can merit or achieve, but only receive as pure gift. God’s love can only unleash its power when it is allowed to change us from within. We have to let it break through the hard crust of our indifference, our spiritual weariness, our blind conformity to the spirit of this age. Only then can we let it ignite our imagination and shape our deepest desires. That is why prayer is so important: daily prayer, private prayer in the quiet of our hearts and before the Blessed Sacrament, and liturgical prayer in the heart of the Church. Prayer is pure receptivity to God’s grace, love in action, communion with the Spirit who dwells within us, leading us, through Jesus, in the Church, to our heavenly Father. In the power of his Spirit, Jesus is always present in our hearts, quietly waiting for us to be still with him, to hear his voice, to abide in his love, and to receive “power from on high”, enabling us to be salt and light for our world.

At his Ascension, the Risen Lord told his disciples: “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Here, in Australia, let us thank the Lord for the gift of faith, which has come down to us like a treasure passed on from generation to generation in the communion of the Church. Here, in Oceania, let us give thanks in a special way for all those heroic missionaries, dedicated priests and religious, Christian parents and grandparents, teachers and catechists who built up the Church in these lands – witnesses like Blessed Mary MacKillop, Saint Peter Chanel, Blessed Peter To Rot, and so many others! The power of the Spirit, revealed in their lives, is still at work in the good they left behind, in the society which they shaped and which is being handed on to you.

Dear young people, let me now ask you a question. What will you leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure? Are you living your lives in a way that opens up space for the Spirit in the midst of a world that wants to forget God, or even rejects him in the name of a falsely-conceived freedom? How are you using the gifts you have been given, the “power” which the Holy Spirit is even now prepared to release within you? What legacy will you leave to young people yet to come? What difference will you make?

The power of the Holy Spirit does not only enlighten and console us. It also points us to the future, to the coming of God’s Kingdom. What a magnificent vision of a humanity redeemed and renewed we see in the new age promised by today’s Gospel! Saint Luke tells us that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of all God’s promises, the Messiah who fully possesses the Holy Spirit in order to bestow that gift upon all mankind. The outpouring of Christ’s Spirit upon humanity is a pledge of hope and deliverance from everything that impoverishes us. It gives the blind new sight; it sets the downtrodden free, and it creates unity in and through diversity (cf. Lk 4:18-19; Is 61:1-2). This power can create a new world: it can “renew the face of the earth” (cf. Ps 104:30)!

Empowered by the Spirit, and drawing upon faith’s rich vision, a new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished – not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed. A new age in which love is not greedy or self-seeking, but pure, faithful and genuinely free, open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, radiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships. Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.

The world needs this renewal! In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading: an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair. How many of our contemporaries have built broken and empty cisterns (cf. Jer 2:13) in a desperate search for meaning – the ultimate meaning that only love can give? This is the great and liberating gift which the Gospel brings: it reveals our dignity as men and women created in the image and likeness of God. It reveals humanity’s sublime calling, which is to find fulfilment in love. It discloses the truth about man and the truth about life.

The Church also needs this renewal! She needs your faith, your idealism and your generosity, so that she can always be young in the Spirit (cf. Lumen Gentium, 4)! In today’s second reading, the Apostle Paul reminds us that each and every Christian has received a gift meant for building up the Body of Christ. The Church especially needs the gifts of young people, all young people. She needs to grow in the power of the Spirit who even now gives joy to your youth and inspires you to serve the Lord with gladness. Open your hearts to that power! I address this plea in a special way to those of you whom the Lord is calling to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Do not be afraid to say “yes” to Jesus, to find your joy in doing his will, giving yourself completely to the pursuit of holiness, and using all your talents in the service of others!

In a few moments, we will celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Spirit will descend upon the confirmands; they will be “sealed” with the gift of the Spirit and sent forth to be Christ’s witnesses. What does it mean to receive the “seal” of the Holy Spirit? It means being indelibly marked, inalterably changed, a new creation. For those who have received this gift, nothing can ever be the same! Being “baptized” in the one Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 12:13) means being set on fire with the love of God. Being “given to drink” of the Spirit means being refreshed by the beauty of the Lord’s plan for us and for the world, and becoming in turn a source of spiritual refreshment for others. Being “sealed with the Spirit” means not being afraid to stand up for Christ, letting the truth of the Gospel permeate the way we see, think and act, as we work for the triumph of the civilization of love.

As we pray for the confirmands, let us ask that the power of the Holy Spirit will revive the grace of our own Confirmation. May he pour out his gifts in abundance on all present, on this city of Sydney, on this land of Australia and on all its people! May each of us be renewed in the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of wonder and awe in God’s presence!

Through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, may this Twenty-third World Youth Day be experienced as a new Upper Room, from which all of us, burning with the fire and love of the Holy Spirit, go forth to proclaim the Risen Christ and to draw every heart to him! Amen.

Join me on Friday, August 22nd in the Parish Center at 7:30 p.m. I would like to share with you more pictures and some other information of my experience of World Youth Day. Bring along a snack to share and if you have a flag from your native country, bring it along. Like many of the pictures you have seen, flags flying proudly gave a sea of the diversity we share in the one Body of Christ.

Spent some time today watching some videos of World Youth Day. While there are many out there, here are a few that you may enjoy. Each time I watch one it is like being there all over again.

I had a little time this morning so I read over my blog. Sorry about all the spelling errors. I think I corrected them now. I guess my doing it fast and on a spiritual "high" I wasn't worried about the spelling, just the message. Can't thank you enough for following this blog. So many of you shared that you read it and kept abreast of the events with EWTN and my notes. Unless something comes up, this will be my last entry. It has been fun sharing this experience with you. Those of you living in Tampa, I hope you can make it on the 22nd. Those up North, guess you'll have to wait for me to come up there. If I can learn how to post it (my slide show) on our parish web site, I'll do that. Unfortunately, you'll miss the comentary. Again, thank you and God bless you. Fr. Martin


Outside of Church where Blessed Mary is buried.	Tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop.

Me at the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop.	Interior of the Church.

Yes, we found Sydney's oldest pub - 1828.	Our feathered visitor. How colorful!!

Sydney Town Hall - George Street	Our backpacks and contents


Fr. Anthanase, Me, Fr. Julian (Provincial), Br. Mark (Definitor General), Br. John, Br. Peter, Fr. Carmel, Bishop Jiri. Missing from the picture are Br. Michael (Guardian), Fr. Gary (Parish Priest - their term for Pastor) and Br. Laurie.	Fr. Alberto from Italy. He took the group picture. We tried communicating he in Italian and me in English. Difficult, but it worked.