Where there is no phone and no email

The above was taken in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. The three peaks are named the Three Sisters.

After a week of wrapping up, writing reports, making movies, and cataloging records, our time with WYD has finally come to an end. It has been a blurry three months, especially since we started WYD just after we finished classes in Toronto and arrived as the activity was reaching its peak. Now it is time for some much needed rest and perhaps more importantly, a chance to get perspective on all we have seen and experienced. Over the last few days, there has been an endless stream of stories conveying the positive impact of WYD on the country, city, dioceses, parishes and individuals. Never could we have imagined the impact or the level of success!

These are the stories we will take with us as we travel. In my own mind, I am all too aware that one month from today, I will profess final vows with the Basilians. So these stories meet the questions in my mind: What have I learned? What are memories that I need to hold on to . . . and those I need to let go of? How does this experience integrate into my life as a Basilian and as a priest? And many more. . . No doubt the Holy Father has left me with his own words to ponder and there are other items I have wanted to read as well. However, I largely look forward to the chance to listen, pray and write. To do this, we are going where there is no phone, no email, not even a computer; so you will have to forgive the silence, but that is exactly the point!

Blessings and G'Day!

Measuring the Impact

While the above picture is a look at the Vocations Expo in particular, the following article from CNS looks at the impact of WYD on Sydney as a whole. Over the next few days, as I catch up on my news, you can be assured of a few more postings like these:

For secular Australia, World Youth Day was wake-up call

By Anthony Barich
Catholic News Service

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- In what is often seen as one of the most intensely secular nations in the world, Australia received a wake-up call: the faith of the church on public display over the weeklong celebrations of World Youth Day.

For young Catholics used to seeing a steady annual decline in figures such as Mass attendance -- now estimated at approximately 13 percent of Catholics nationally -- and feeling like the only young person in the local parish, the sight of an estimated 300,000 pilgrims from around the nation and overseas may well have provided a much-needed shot in the arm.

Prominent Australian theologian Tracey Rowland, dean of studies at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia, said the July 15-20 World Youth Day activities and the visit of Pope Benedict XVI will not fix Australia overnight.

"But Pope Benedict's weeklong 'Christianity 101' intensive course for a couple of hundred thousand Australian pilgrims will certainly improve the situation, especially for Generation Y," she said, referring to the young people.

She noted that for many young pilgrims, World Youth Day was their first experience of solemn liturgy, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, receiving catechesis with deep intellectual and spiritual content, and meeting numerous other young people not embarrassed to be identified as Catholics.

The pope's homilies were deeply Christocentric, and in the closing Mass he explained the meaning of the Angelus -- which he recited in Latin -- as God's marriage proposal to humanity, accepted on people's behalf by Mary.

"No one could go away from Sydney thinking that it is possible to compartmentalize the faith or reduce it to a few rules and regulations and Sunday observances," Rowland said.

"The pope constantly reiterated the theme that it is all about a personal participation in the life of the Trinity and that changes everything," she said. "There is no room for secular spheres impervious to the sacred and divisions between public and private personas; there is only a part of us and a part of our culture that either belongs to Christ already or still awaits transformation.

"That task of transformation is the biggest adventure life in the world can offer us, and some half a million pilgrims got a taste of it at World Youth Day," she said.

Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, chief organizer of World Youth Day, said that in his series of homilies during the weeklong event, the pope gave young Australian Catholics a blueprint of how to change the social and spiritual fabric of the country that the pope dubbed the "Great South Land of the Holy Spirit."

Pope Benedict addressed relativism and apathy during his homilies and emphasized the importance of unity and hope.

"He's provided us with a program for the spiritual and social renewal of our country and has offered young people the encouragement and inspiration to do that," Bishop Fisher said.

"Young people will return to their parishes, schools, communities and universities with a passion. All of us have been shown that Australians can be more idealistic and passionate about what really matters.

"We would hope that there's going to be a new life and energy in every corner of the church, especially youth ministry, which will obviously be bigger and better as a result of World Youth Day," he added.

Bishop Fisher acknowledged Pope Benedict's concern for how deeply secularization has set into Australia.

"When (the pope) is talking about things like apathy and relativism, they're commonplace in the Western world, but certainly I think he had Australia in mind, and it's a real issue for us right across the board, not just for the church," Bishop Fisher said.

"People are at times apathetic about key issues in the world, and Australians in particular are very comfortable -- we've got a pretty good life.

"But the risk is that if we don't then ask the bigger questions ... what it's all for, and what about the poor people of the world who don't have the affluence we have, even in our own community? The indigenous Australians have been so prominent during WYD ... how do they fit into the new wealth of Australia and the comfort?" he asked.

The challenge was clearly set out by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver, who told more than 1,000 youths at a Theology on Tap session at an Irish pub in Sydney about the futility of living a double life -- going to Mass on Sunday but not giving public witness to the faith.

"We can't live a halfway Christianity," he said. "Every double life will inevitably self-destruct. Being a Christian is who you are -- period. And being a Christian means your life has a mission. It means striving every day to become more like Jesus in your thoughts and actions."

The focus of the catechesis, held over the first four mornings of World Youth Day in 250 locations across Sydney and taught by bishops from around the world, was carrying out the church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit.

World Youth Day has been the seed of many vocations, be it to married, religious or single life. Amid the hype and noise of the multicultural week, bishops and lay leaders alike warned pilgrims that unless they took time for silent meditation and prayer, then the fruits of World Youth Day might be lost.

After celebrating Mass at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Bishop Joseph A. Pepe of Las Vegas said quiet reflection is essential "so God can whisper to you and give you your vocation" -- as the pope reminded young people in his visit to the United States three months before World Youth Day.

"If we have the environment of prayer, then we're communicating with God, and God will communicate with us, telling us if we will have vocations in our families," Bishop Pepe said.

Bishop Fisher said he felt optimistic after World Youth Day.

"We often talk of Australia being a secular country, as if the view that religion has to be privatized or abolished has won," he said.

"We know in fact that most people still say, when asked, that they believe in God and they pray sometimes and say they are Christians. So Australia isn't as agnostic as it's portrayed," he said.

Recovering

By now, you have all heard that WYD is over and has been regarded as a huge success! As the city now returns to normal and the Pilgrimage to the Cathedral (the last and longest of the WYD events) now closes, the papers and press continue to talk about the events of the past week. The past few days have been filled with celebrations and prayers for the many people now very ill as they come off the adrenaline high which has been sustaining them for the past few months. I must admit that I have never been part of such an aftermath as we all went from unimaginable intensity to an absolute full stop. At the office people are closing out their files and sharing stories as the first wave of departures begins today. Even the Directors, who anticipated much more clean-up, are spending some much needed moments with their families since the "damage control" is actually quite minimal.

Morgan and I are also resurfacing -- catching up on emails and news that we have ignored for the past month. Tuesday was the first day I have had out of the office for over a month, though it wasn't until last night (finally) that my adrenaline began to slow. Now I have realized how tired I am and how much I am craving some quiet alone time.

In time, I am sure I will write and process what has been learned and favorite moments, but for now, it is time to recharge and relax a bit. Vacation and retreat time is around the corner, though it may unofficially begin as soon as this weekend. Meanwhile, I am still basking in awe at all that God has done. Even as I write this, a very cold rain is pouring down (as it has all week), in sharp contrast to the beautiful sunny, relatively warm days of World Youth Day. Lest anyone think that God doesn't have it all under control, this dramatic coincidence is hard for anyone not to notice.

Please continue to pray for the many pilgrims since their work is really just beginning. There are many stories to be shared and witnesses to bear that will require courage and faith in order to tell the tale that needs to be heard. Please also pray for the staff and their families as they re-unite after so many late nights and unending work days these past few months. Until next time, many blessings.

Feels like home

Last night, CCO and Fr. Tom Rosica led a prayer service, inspired by the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, at St. Mary's Cathedral. After a day of running around like a chicken without a head, it was wonderful to spend a few quiet moments in prayer. I also had a chance to spend some time with Frassati's niece and Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus. However, the really amazing part of the evening was the chance to be with so many friends on the other side of the world. I realized how blessed I am to belong to such a wonderful community that exists on so many different levels. It has been a while since I have felt "at home" but last night, among so many friends from the USA, Canada and Australia, I felt as if I was with family. What a blessing and a privilege.

The day is off to the races already, but there are pictures and further thoughts at CNS, which is linked just to the side of this posting.

Blessings and G'Day!

Life is in full swing at WYD. Salt and Light has arrived and I spent the day getting everyone settled. Here are a few images of the cathedral, inside and outside.

Tonight, Fr. Tom will be giving his address on Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati at the Cathedral. It is surely expected to pack the house as everyone has been talking about this event for weeks!

That's it for now, but there will be more to come, rest assured!

In the Company of the Saints

The first major event of WYD began today! The Pilgrimage to the Cathedral opened today, highlighted by the unveiling of a commissioned painting of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians. Since the renovations and cleaning of the Cathedral was completed just the other day, this was the first time I have been to the cathedral as it will be seen by thousands of pilgrims. The cathedral is worth a trip in its own right, but there several other reasons why pilgrims will want to spend time in this quiet place of prayer. In addition to the painting of Our Lady, the relics of Blessed Mary MacKillop and the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati are present there surrounded by wonderful displays that tell the stories of their lives. In the crypt below, a series of icons surround the Eucharist exposed for Adoration. Across the street, reconciliation is offered to all who desire the sacrament.


The opening of the Pilgrimage was well attended by the media and many young people, both from Sydney and fresh off the plane from their home countries. In fact, all day today, new arrivals huddled in conversation along the Sydney waterfront. In every group, I saw the words of St. Benedict (whose feast day is today) present: Jesus is to be the center of our lives. This idea, which he lived so well, are so clearly evident in the parks and public spaces around the city center now that the pilgrims have arrived. My own excitement is now building for the experience it will be for them . . . and for me.


St. Benedict, Blessed MacKillop, Blessed Frassati, and Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians – pray for us!

Double-time

You could take this title a couple of ways at this point. . .

However, this is just a little note to say that during WYD, I will be writing for Catholic News Service as well as for this blog (all of this in addition to my various responsibilities at WYD). So, should things get a bit slow here, I encourage you to go to http://cnswyd.wordpress.com/ where you will find me writing along with a team of bloggers and journalists during the week.

Blessings and G'Day!

Why Priesthood?

As many of you know, I am one of the managers of the Vocations Expo at WYD. The expo began in Toronto, offering pilgrims an opportunity to explore the various "vehicles" or means by which they can live their recently renewed faith. It is a wonderful part of WYD -- showcasing some of the very best aspects of ministry in the Church. While there are volunteer organizations present for married and single folks, the focus is on the priesthood and religious life.

As a result of my role with the Expo, I have been asked on a few occasions (and I am sure there will be more), why I joined a religious community and what called me to be a priest? So I thought I would briefly share my thoughts to this answer:

I think anyone who asks this question must first answer another question: "by what means can we as society address the suffering in the world today?" Of course, there are as many answers to this question as there are afflictions; however, I believe the fundamental answer to this question is actually quite difficult. Anyone who as been in the service of others understands that at some point, it is up to the person in need to make a choice to accept help or not. I learned this teaching in inner city schools in the US. There comes a point where I did everything I could do, leaving the ability to overcome/succeed (or not) in the mind of the student. Ultimately, an obstacle or suffering requires a conscious decision to move beyond it.

What I learned through my own experiences is that the decision to overcome our pain is usually too difficult without a belief that there is something bigger than ourselves who will be there to bear the burden when we cannot. Quite simply, this is why I decided to become a priest -- to bear witness to God -- that there is someone big enough to bear all of our burdens. The priesthood provides my life and witness with a context; with an environment that allows God to be heard. Over the years, I have found that we people most often need in this world is hope. Yes, there are many temporal needs, and the Church and many other organizations do amazing work tending to those needs; but it is the unseen needs of people that must also be addressed. In my students, I saw many needs that could be met by so many groups, but their real needs concerned meaning, love, belonging, hope -- all the things that can be addressed only when we recognize that all these things are of God and received by us as a gift.

The priesthood is not for the faint-hearted. I have been exposed to some of the very hardest aspects of society, but I have also witnessed some of the greatest joys. In the average day, I span the range of human emotions and of life -- baptisms to death; marriage to illness and everything in between. It is a life based in relationship, which is one of the reasons I choose to live my priesthood through the Basilian Fathers. Quite simply, my confreres keep me accountable to myself and to God. They provide me the support I need to do what God is calling me to do. They also challenge and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone, allowing me to grow with God and with the people I serve. In short, they are family and I am supremely grateful for their presence in my life.

At the end of the day, I have been blessed with opportuties to live and serve in places and with people I never dreamed possible. Through my priesthood with the Basilians, I have found joy and serenity, among so many other gifts. Of course, I believe this is what happens when any of us respond authentically to our call in life --whether it be priesthood or any other form of life. Let us pray for everyone who comes to WYD -- that they may not only experience the power of the Holy Spirit, but also that their path in life be illuminated according to God's will.

Blessings and G'Day!

A bit of relaxation

Last weekend, we were invited to a friend's house for an authentic Croatian fish dinner. Marijana and I have worked on a very long document for post WYD that will go out to the Australian Church. After a lot of work, we finally sent it to the printers -- so it was time to celebrate. Dinner was amazing and the company even better since a few of the other volunteers and staff joined us.


Now that it is winter, and since Sydney-siders don't believe in indoor heating, layers and slippers are a must. The only question left is whether or not you can match the feet with the person? (without looking too closely as the picture below!)


. . . and yes, I look forward to the next time I get to relax -- probably July 21st!

Blessings and G'Day!

Perspective

We are now one week away from WYD! This morning on my way to the office, the signs of WYD are all around -- literally. The banners have gone up over the weekend, the event tents are now filling the parks, road closure signs have started to pop up on the streets and pilgrims have started to arrive (big backpacks and confused looks are a good giveaway). Even in the office, despite our exhaustion, the excitement is building (perhaps because the arrival of WYD is soon to be followed by a bit of hibernation!)

My weekend was spent in the same manner as the previous two weekends -- in the office. However, I was not alone as just about everyone in the WYD office is working overtime at the moment -- just what you would expect before such an event. The difficulty, of course, is maintaining a level of joy about something that causes so much work. (my prayer lately has been for joy and sanity -- everyone seems to appreciate this one) At the office, I joke with people asking them if they will still be Catholic after working on WYD. It is always gets a good laugh and a reassurance that they will; however, in my prayers, I ask God to be merciful if they decide to miss a mass or two in the wake of it all.

But as the pilgrims start to arrive, our spirits are lifted a bit. WYD makes no sense without them and for too long now, our work has been fueled by faith -- now our belief is beginning to manifest itself. As I have walked around the last few days, my heart has begun to realize the gift that this all is -- and how privileged I am to be part of such an event. "Everything is gift," my novice director told us -- how right he was. As I stand before such a monumental event, I am forced to recognize that no effort of mine can make this succeed or fail. WYD is a moment of grace -- a gift from God to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. My biggest job now is to trust that God will cultivate the work that has been done, and get out of the light so this field may grow in God's light.

The lead-up to WYD has reminded me that I am called to be a servant. It has also reminded me of how much I need God's grace to live the life I have been called to live -- there is nothing like something as big as WYD to remind you of your place on this earth. As I write, I think this is what the press and various critics seem to miss -- that we need events in our world that are big enough to capture our imagination and at the same time remind us of our limitations -- and of our potential. I am neither as big or as small as I may let myself believe. So my prayer for those pilgrims en route to Sydney is that they encounter the world here -- the universal Church here -- so that their senses can capture sights, sounds, and feelings big enough to hold their understanding of God, and at the same time recognize the ability to nurture that understanding often occurs in the simplest acts of charity to those around us.

Let us pray for this and for so many intentions that are brought to Sydney over the next week. Until next time, many blessings and G'Day!

Rehearsing with the Pope

Okay, so we weren't actually with the Pope, but we did have a look-a-alike for this morning's very early rehearsal of the harbour cruise and motorcade. It was cold and wet, but also a huge success! All the timings worked out perfectly and everyone from security to media to operations are happy. Here are a few pictures for you:


Above is the Papal boat, which can hold up to 700 people, though it won't have quite than many on the day. It is an amazing boat -- the first one I have ever seen come up to a dock sideways (no forward or backward movement at all)


This mimics the Popemobile route to the altar -- nothing fancy, but it was still cool!


Here is the stage for the Papal welcome at Barangaroo. In the background is Sydney Harbour, and at this point the Papal boat is just to the left of the altar. For those of us on the boat, we will have a great opportunity to see the roughly 150,000 pilgrims waiting to see the Pope.

Until next time, blessings and G'Day!

Blessed Frassati, Pray for Us!

Yesterday, I joined a few members of the WYD staff, along with just about every Australian media company in Sydney, to receive the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to St. Benedict's before he is moved the the Cathedral for WYD. Frassati, as many of you know, is a saint near and dear to my heart because of his patronage to the Basilian Scholasticate and also because of the role model he is for me. He lived to the young age of 24 in Turin, Italy, suffering terribly before his tragic death. Yet is it not his death, rather his life that is so extraordinary -- he lived it fully, running, mountain climbing and enjoying the company of friends, food and drink. Most striking of all, was his deep love for the poor and the Eucharist, which earned him the title, "Man of the Beatitudes."

Long before he was ever recognized in 1990 by JPII, he has been an inspiration for many young men to live more authentic lives according the Gospel. Just this past Christmas, I was in Calgary with approximately 75 young men who live in Frassati Houses across the country. We all have our heros -- for many who know -- Frassati is a hero worthy of emulating.

I wish I had a camera when he arrived. The hearse was there, they opened the doors and pulled out the casket. There was incense, candles, and being a Dominican parish, the Dominicans were in their whites and black copes. Litanies were sung and many prayers prayed. Very soon after, the media director for WYD came over and whispered that he had never seen the media so reverent -- they were awestruck by what was happening. I also, admitting that I am usually not so moved by such an event, had goosebumps. You just had to be there -- it was quite powerful.

Tonight, Morgan and I, along with one other volunteer went down to the church "after hours." There was hardly anyone in the church, which is exactly what we wanted. It was a chance to be with WYD; with Frassati, before it all actually gets going. The three of us just sat beside him in silence for about a half hour. There were a few others after us -- one of them being the young boy in the picture above. Knowing that I am nearing two weeks with probably very little stillness and silence, I think I could have stayed there the night. There were many prayers to be said -- for WYD and all involved, for the Basilians, and for so many friends and family. Not to be left out, a few prayers for myself -- that as I quickly approach my own final vows and ordination -- I might be able to live up to my calling; to live much like Frassati did -- in the service of others, out of love for God.

Blessed Frassati, pray for us!

Prayers that Lead to Teachable Moments

Well, it is official folks -- WYD is now in operational mode. We had the blessing and dedication of WYDMOC (WYD Main Operations Centre) tonight followed by a social afterwards. Many people are now working around the clock, so despite the occasion occurring at the "end of the day", it was really just a brief break before returning to work. Nevertheless, we all know this is part of the process and people are generally in good spirits, though noticeably tired. Despite the exhaustion, it is also getting exciting as pilgrims are starting to arrive on the streets and in our offices. The volunteer pool is growing rapidly with every passing day and their energy is a welcome relief.

What has struck me in all this is the role of the Religious and clergy on staff. I spent most of my night tonight giving hugs, offering blessings, telling jokes and doing a lot of listening. In fact, I find much of my day flows in the same manner. Email is now used as much for official business as it is to send a brief hello and reminder of prayer to a particular person. In every instance so far, I receive a reply with a heart-felt thank you. Many of the staff have commented during these conversations how much they appreciate working with so many Religious and clergy. For some, it is their first experience (some in fact, are not Catholic at all) and so there are lots of questions and needs for explanations. Though none of this is on my task list for the day, I believe it is the most important work I can do here.

In the end, I think this will be a big learning for me. Just over a year ago, I interviewed Andrew, Glenn and José just before their final vows. I asked them what they learned during their years of formation. Andrew's comment was one I have not forgotten: "that people really demand very little; that they ask for very little." Working at WYD has confirmed that statement for me. Even with so many pressures, needs and deadlines -- the true needs of the staff here are very few. The needs to do have are, in fact, quite simple, though oh so important. There is no doubt that WYD is a teachable moment -- not just for the pilgrims, but for all of us.

I ask that you please keep all of us in your prayers -- it is getting pretty crazy around here! Blessings and G'Day.

Happy Canada Day!

Yes, we know -- we are not really Canadian, but over the years, Canada has been home and so it wouldn't seem right to let July 1st go by without a bit of celebration. Perhaps some of the first in the world to celebrate Canada Day (nothing like being 15 or so hours ahead of many parts of Canada to give you a head start), we were joined by the David and Gillian Kantor for an evening of good times just off the Sydney Harbour.

How do you celebrate such a momentous day, you ask? With pancakes and maple syrup, of course! Granted, the Aussies haven't quite got the whole maple syrup thing down too well, it was still quite good. Nevertheless, The Pancake House in the Rocks does score high marks for North American portions and prices -- should you ever get hungry in Sydney, order pancakes. You even have your option of butter, cream, or ice cream in addition to the syrup. . . . and we wonder why Australia has just been labeled the most obese country in the world!

However, as it is not a holiday here and in just a few short days, we welcome the world to Sydney, the evening was but a brief reprieve before going back to grind. No worries, though -- it is what you expect at this stage!

Until next time, blessings and G'Day!

Liturgy Directorate

Over a month ago, I posted a bit about my work in the Liturgy Directorate. I did not have a photo to post at the time, but I do now. A few more people have been added since this photo was taken, but I thought it would be good to show at least some of my coworkers.

Front Row (L to R): Sister Anna, OP (International Liturgy Group Coordinator with whom I work very closely); Brendon (Stations of the Cross and Liturgy Support Officer to make sure we are all on track); Bernard (Sacristy Manager)

Back Row: Yours truly; Fr Peter Williams (Director of Liturgy); David (Music Officer); Fr Franco (Stations of the Cross Coordinator); John (Music Support Officer); James (Stations of the Cross and Operations Assistant); Louise (Fr Peter’s PA)

As I mentioned before, I am fortunate to be in a great team. It is an honour to help plan what will be some beautiful liturgies. Only two weeks to go!

Australian word of the day: “Way Out” = “Exit”

Opportunities to Serve

Last night, the parish hosting us confirmed 120 young people between two of the four churches that make up the "parish." After the confirmations, the parish organizers came to the house for dinner to discuss the past year and think about what needs to be done for next year. It was a great opportunity for Morgan and I to learn about the sacramental preparation that occurs in the parishes here. For example, the Confirmation preparation that occurs for these 12 year olds occurs over four weeks, meeting, at most, two times per week.

The overwhelming concern for everyone present was the inability to find enough people to help teach and prepare the lessons. The parents who are willing, do so because it is their own children going through the program; thus, there is a high turn-over rate and very little ability to form any kind of team or consistency in the program.

After absorbing the conversation for a while, I finally asked if they had ever considered involving the youth who have recently gone through the program? To my surprise (and in fact their own), they had never considered the option.

Fast forward to the next morning at the office: I was speaking with one of my colleagues at the office about a number of things -- mostly the usual coffee-pot morning topics of discussion. The opportunity arose for me to ask her about her own hopes for WYD. Among the many she mentioned, more involvement from young people in the life of the parish was a big one. In Sydney at least, the reality of most parishes is that there are no young people in any kind of leadership role. Even the altar servers are retired gentlemen. Not surprising in such an environment, there are no youth ministry programs of any kind, nor are there any communities or movements that offer youth a place in the life of the Church.

During both conversations, I asked why young people are not considered for ministry in the parish. In both conversations, there was no response, just a bewildered look. As I would imagine, it is not intentional -- it just never occurred to them. So the real question will be what happens post WYD?

Many, many of my discussions about my WYD experience has stressed the importance of cultivation in the parishes, stating how important it is for the parishes to offer opportunities for ministry and a means to share their new found joy and excitement. Let us pray for that.

As for the Australian Word of the Day: "Chocies", that is chocolate. It is a common thing here in Australia to ad "-ies" to things in shortened form. "Sunnies" is another example, which are sunglasses. Nor is it just being cute, but the way they call things here.

Blessings and G'Day!

Habit Version 4.0

Summers have always been an “experiment” for Basilian seminarians. Much like the Jesuit formation program, Basilian seminarians are asked to immerse themselves in a different location to work and live during the summer months. During this “experiment”, the manipulated variable is the seminarian, rather than the external circumstances, because it is the seminarian who must learn to adapt, meet the challenges and grow from the encounter.

Over the last couple of years, my summer experiments have been very different and filled with many, many unexpected challenges and graces; however, each has resulted in a wider understanding of the God, Church, people, and myself. Perhaps one of the only constants during the last three years is what I have packed. I travel light – a laptop computer, running shoes and the typical four days worth of clothes are all I need to provide for myself and remain happy and productive. For the last three years, I have worn the off-white, long-sleeve shirt and cross that the scholastics have called a “habit”. Though not a habit in the most traditional sense, this shirt and cross is distinctive and when worn everyday. Together, they are both identifiable and make for easy travel in just about every circumstance.

However, I am not writing about clothes as travel recommendations, but for the experiment they have been. Over the last three years, I have listened to many comments about “the habit” from in and outside the community. Many have been positive and some have been negative. However, it is during the summer experiments, that I have realized the truth of their meaning. Whether I be in New York, Sydney or somewhere else, I am recognized instantly as a member of a religious community. Especially when worn in the presence of others who are wearing it, this white shirt and cross has been a useful tool in my ministry and survival in places far away from the comforts of Basilian institutions. It has also held me to a higher standard of performance, prayer, leisure and interpersonal relations.

I know that for some of you this is yet another edition of what seems to be my yearly ramble on the "habit." Some of you make shake your head laughing, but nevertheless I am bringing it up again. However, it is important to note that I do so not simply because I believe it to be worthy of discussion (that is blogworthy), but because other people believe so as well. I have been struck time and time again during our summers away, by how many people have approached me (or another Basilian seminarian) asking what community we belonged to, or about our charism, founder, or any other question along those lines. This does not happen every now and then, but quite often – in fact, almost daily. Here in Sydney, I believe this is, in part, because most of the Religious here wear a habit. In fact, I think it is fair to say that not doing so would create a negative impression.

Make no mistake, the youth of today do not view a religious habit through the same lenses as those before them. The issues of the past were important and I understand the reason for the decisions made at the time; however, those issues are not the issues of the present -- that has become very clear during our time here.

For whatever reason, I admit that I am not encountered by the same questions about the "habit" in Toronto, perhaps because people already know the Basilians or our routines are relatively set and we do not encounter many who do not know us. In contrast, summer ministry away is always filled with many new encounters and I am always happy to be wearing something that speaks to who I am and what I am about. It simply makes everything much easier and much more engaging, and for that I am thankful.

I realize that these conclusions may not be universally applicable, and for that reason, I do not mean to impose them on anyone. You see I understand the purpose of the blog to be an opportunity for all of us to learn from the experience, because it is all of us who have made this experience possible – in any number of capacities. So my hope is that this is seen, simply, as one of the lessons learned from the "experiment".

In the end, who knows what will happen with this experiment? It is quite possible the habit will fade away into the horizon of lessons learned or it may take on a new form. In the meantime, I continue to be thankful for the witness it provides to others and to myself. Lord knows, I need all the help I can get!

Blessings and G’Day!

Taking a little boat ride in the Harbour

Don't ask me how I find myself in these positions, but some how I find myself coordinating much of the Pope's voyage across Sydney Harbour. Of course, there are lots of people working on this, but what people do when they are on the boat is now my responsibility. I have known this for about a week, but as soon as it got confirmed, the first order of business was to go see the boat. So here it is, four levels of boat and soon to be ten levels of security.


As for this spot -- you guessed, the Pope will be right here.

The funny thing about all of this is it was another Basilian who coordinated the Papal voyage in Cologne. Add that to JPII's trip to Strawberry Island and you build a pretty impressive collection of Pope's, Basilians, and boats!

As for the Australian word of the Day: "Oz", which is Australia. This one took me forever to find out. You see it on many signs and ads, but since people don't talk about their own country by a name, it took a while. Just think of the advertising WYD could do with this one!

Blessings and G'Day!

Tipping the Scales

Well, its official -- we just heard that Australia has passed the United States as the most obese country in the world. Seemingly this information, though interesting, has little impact on Morgan and I; however, we feel a certain responsibility for it all. You see, when we lived in Houston -- it was the fattest city; then we moved to Detroit and it took the dubious title; then we moved back to Houston/Sugar Land -- you guessed it -- Houston took the title back. So it would seem Morgan and I tip the scales. Personally, I think it is really just Morgan's fault. . . .

The Dangers of Multi-Tasking

Despite what most people think, I am not all that good at multi-tasking. Most people seem to think I am, and I can see why (just read a recent post about the day's activities, but my brain can only handle one thing at a time -- though I do admit to moving from one thing to the other faster than most. The events of a few days ago proves my point, and though the story about to be told is embarrassing, it has provided laughter for many people in the office for a few days now, making it officially "blog-worthy".

It was one of the days I described in detail earlier -- the type of day when everything is urgent and last-minute. Admittedly, I did it to myself -- and I should know better. Typing an email and editing/rendering a movie added to the phone call I took for some reason is a bit much. On the other end of the phone was my supervisor, in a meeting, in need of a screen shot of the latest playlist I had created at that very moment so he could discuss it. Fine, no problem. A click here, there, capture, open new email, copy, paste, and send. Done. Excellent -- now back to what I was doing.

A few minutes pass by and the sequence of events replays in my head. Did I? Noooo, I couldn't have. . . . Maybe. . . better check. . . . darn it, I did.

I have never done this. Rather than start a new email, I hit the button beside it to forward an existing email. In other words, I sent the requested information as part of an existing email already in my inbox. Upon realizing my mistake, I quickly send an email to my supervisor with the information resent in a clean email, asking him to delete the previous one. However, it was about that time that I receive a phone call from one of my colleagues who was laughing and teasing me mercilessly. I then realize that my supervisor, being as busy as I was, simply opened it, saw the information, and forwarded to the department -- without scrolling down.

So what was forwarded? Well, I have already mentioned that I have been asked to write for various sources during World Youth Day, which requires a short bio and a few pictures that bring out my personality. One of which is here and the others are equally as "fun". None are even remotely scandalous, but then again no one expects to get a series of photos (unsolicited) of a guy in their office email either. So all the ladies in the office have been teasing me about it for days -- all in good fun of course.

I now think of it a an opportunity to build a bit of community in the workplace and a lesson to be learned about the dangers of multi-tasking. We all need the laughs, most especially as things get stressed, and if a little embarrassment on my part can help the day move along for others -- so be it.

Blessings and G'Day!

Remembering the Congress

On the other side of the world, in our "home" country of Canada, the Eucharistic Congress is occurring in Quebec City. Two summers ago, Morgan worked on the staff on the Congress and right now, Salt and Light Television is providing much of the media coverage. It is also the last international event of the Church before World Youth Day, so you could say that in many ways, the Eucharistic Congress sets the stage for WYD in the minds of many Catholics around the world. Please remember to pray for all those participating in the Congress and for those ensuring that it is a success. You are also encouraged to read the blog from Salt and Light here. Come Holy Spirit, come!

Blessings and G'Day!

A Day in the Life of a WYD Volunteer

I am sure you have all noticed that we are not blogging at quite the same rate as we were before. It is not hard to imagine that with 26 days to go before WYD and only two weeks before our various groups begin to arrive, everything now happens at once, and deadlines range from 5 minutes to the "end of the day", which can be quite late. However, my prayers this morning left me renewed with a sense of perspective and so I thought I would take the moment to up date the blog and share with you a bit of what my day looks like, using yesterday as an example:

• 4:50 am: Rise and (think about) shining; eat breakfast; prep for the day
• 5:30 am: Out the door and walk to bus stop
• 5:50 am: Catch the bus
• 6:10 am: Depart bus, walk 20 minutes to office
• 6:30 am: Went for a run as it was a beautiful morning (that is, until I passed the WYD countdown sign: 27 days to go)
• 8:00 am: At the office, Morgan and I gather for morning prayer
  

After that, everything is a blur, but here are the highlights:

• Finalize playlist and burn a CD containing the soundtrack to be played throughout High Park during the Pilgrimage to the Cathedral.
• Make final changes the two movies I had to create for the big screens around the city and burn them to DVD for proofing by the communications department -- one is a series of advertisements for various events, the second is a video highlighting the ten patron saints of WYD. Both are five minutes long.
• Finish my part of the final draft for Activ8 the Parish, which is the 64 page document that will be sent to all the parishes in Australia post WYD. We received the Bishop's edits the day before and it has to go to the printer by the end of the day -- thank goodness, the changes were minimal (thank you to all my professors at the Faculty of Theology).
• Write my bio for the media correspondence I will be doing during WYD week.
• Confirm all groups of people who will be on board the Papal boat during his welcome to the city. Set up a site visit and prep the program runsheet for a meeting with the Bishop later in the day.
• Called into meeting regarding the Papal Flotilla, of which I am one of the managers.
• 12:30: Mass
• 1:00: Lunch (which last 8 minutes because I was called into another meeting) On the way there in the lift, I was approached by the promoter of a band how they could get into the WYD line up.
• 1:30: Scheduled departmental meeting
• 2:00: Run through final draft of Activ8 with my supervisor, who approved it with minor changes
• 2:00 - 5:00: WYDMOC (WYD Master Operations Control), or the command center meetings. I was just informed that I will be in the command center at various points in the week to provide the evangelization and catechesis point of view. However, I never made it to the meeting.
• Revised and finalized two videos for Communications
• Reviewed the latest applications for the vocations expo
• Met with the Sisters of Life who just arrived in town.
• Sent emails following up on various issues regarding the Activ8, Xt3, Vocations Expo and the Papal Flotilla
• Communicated with Salt and Light Television as they are providing content to be shown on the big screens between events.
• Responded to various emails and phone messages as I wrote up the to-do list for tomorrow.
• 6:10: Morgan and I gathered for evening prayer
• 6:25: Caught the train to the ferry station because we didn't have time to walk
• 6:35: Have 10 minutes, so we decided for a brief walk towards the Opera House on a beautiful evening along the Harbour.
• 6:45: 10 min. Ferry ride to the other side of the Harbour, where we have a 5 min bus ride home.
• 7:00: Come home ready for a quiet night only to find the dining room formally set with a note telling us there would be guests.
• 7:30: Guests arrived and dinner started. It did not end until 11:30.
• 11:45: Literally fell into bed and set the alarm for 4:50 am so it can start all over again.
  

So there you have it. I am sure I missed things (which is sad to say given the length of this list), but it gives you an idea. Please keep us in your prayers as the days get longer and demands increase. We certainly keep everyone at home in our prayers as well.

Blessings and G'Day!

Frassati is Coming to WYD!

From the Presses:

Vatican City, Jun 13, 2008 / 09:23 am (CNA). Today the Vatican announced that the relics of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a student and member of the Dominican Third Order, will be taken to Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day next month.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, who was beatified by John Paul II in 1990, will be one of the 10 official patrons of World Youth Day (WYD). A release from the Pontifical Council from the Laity noted that the blessed is widely venerated in Australia and that the presence of his relic will be one of the central features of WYD.

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin, Italy, on April 6, 1901 and was raised in a very rich Catholic family. During his adolescence he cultivated a profound spiritual life and became an active member of Catholic Action, the apostolate of prayer, the Eucharistic League and the Association of University Student Adorers. He lived an austere live and gave a large portion of his money to the poor. He was an intrepid athlete, skier and mountain climber. When he turned 24, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness which claimed his life in only one week. He died on July 4, 1925 and was buried at the cathedral of Turin.

His relic will be transported to Sydney on June 19 and will be placed in the church of St. Benedict. From July 11-22, the casket of the blessed will be on display in Sydney cathedral where participants in WYD will be able to come and pay homage. Hanging near his casket will be ten panels illustrating Pier Giorgio Frassati's life and thought. In addition, an exhibition dedicated to Pier Giorgio Frassati's life will be held in Sydney Exhibition Hall July 15-18.

Off to the Races!

I am a runner. Most of you who know me know that running is how I clear my head, and relax. Depending on the day and route, it is also my time to pray or socialize. Whenever I find myself some where new, it is not long before I am out on the streets, purposely lost, making all kinds of discoveries many who have lived there for years never make.

It should be no surprise that I am running quite a bit in Sydney. The coastlands, beaches and cliffs make for beautiful scenery and very good training. In fact, the training has been so good, that I crushed my personal best in the 10K Mini-Mos Marathon race this morning. Though the time was only about six minutes faster than my previous best, the route was up and down hills with very little level roads, which I figure counts for at least another 10 minutes. (You can view the map here)

You might ask why I feel the need to run a race when life presents the need to race every where during the week? It is a fair question, one I asked as I was waiting for the race to begin. As I watched runners take care of their bags, numbers, last minute bathroom duties, and stretches -- each of these done with a bit of anxiety, I think how crazy are all of us? Then the race begins, and I remember how much fun it is; in fact, how much of a blessing it is, to run the race at all. This morning I pushed myself a bit harder than usual, digging deep within to keep a steady pace no matter how big the hill was in front of me. It is no wonder why St. Paul uses the metaphor of the race to describe the Christian life. And when you cross the finish line, knowing that you are completely spent, that you gave it everything you had (even a bit you didn't think you had) -- it is a feeling that knows few equals.

. . . but if that doesn't do it for ya -- remember my core value concerning running (and this is important) -- guilt-free eating.

As for the Australian word of the day, “Rubber”, which is an eraser. And yes, some one asked me if I had one on me this morning. Thank goodness they quickly explained -- I guess the look on my face gave me away as new to Australia!

XT3 Live!

Today's big news was the official launch of XT3. I have attached sections of the press release below. It is a project near and dear to my heart, which is ironic because (despite my love of technology) I usually stay far away from social network sites. (Like I need one more thing to keep me at the computer. . .)

My role with XT3 is in the next stage to be launched which will include online resources, much of which is in its final approval stages at this very moment. These resources will combine with the networking capability already function to make XT3 a truly global classroom. For more information, read below:

In a first for any World Youth Day, an online social networking site - www.Xt3.com - was launched today by His Eminence Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney and Bishop Anthony Fisher, Coordinator of WYD08.

Hosted by Telstra, Xt3.com is the exclusive online social network for World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) and will connect pilgrims with the Catholic Church and "virtual pilgrims" around the globe.

"The name 'Xt3' was inspired by Pope John Paul II and stands for Christ in the Third Millenium. Pope John Paul II spoke of young people's special task to bring the message of Christ to the world in the third Millennium.

"It is hoped that Xt3 users will continue to connect after World Youth Day in July, to build upon friendships made and continue dialogue about what it means to be a young person of faith," he said.

Xt3.com is the brainchild of two English brothers, John and Robert Toone and Chris Purslow who will continue to promote the site with the Archdiocese of Sydney after World Youth Day.

"This site has been launched in time for the Sydney event, but it is a legacy piece for the Catholic Church in Australia and the world," said Robert Toone, Co-founder Xt3.com.

"It is an online platform to enable pilgrims to connect with millions, share the experience and build a better world," he said.

Unique to the Xt3 social networking site will be faith connection features such as 'Ask a Priest' and 'Prayer Intentions' as well as the ability to create discussion groups and debates on contemporary issues.

Xt3 will also provide pilgrims with the ability to join official WYD08 groups, charity action groups and create their own interactive profiles.

Further features include private messaging; event calendars; the ability to embed other websites such as parish websites onto Xt3; and a video and multiple photo uploading facility.

Another important dimension to Xt3 is its capacity to coordinate and organize young people to do something to build a better world.

"It's not enough just to talk," said John Toone.

Xt3 wants its members to use the site to create initiatives in areas such as social justice, charitable activities, and spreading the Christian message in a secularized world. It will also be a way to link together Church agencies and existing groups to share resources and help each other.

More than 2,000 users joined the 'alpha' test site since February 2008 to provide testing, feedback, and to enhance the site in time for its worldwide launch.

"This will be the most interactive World Youth Day event to date with Xt3.com, Papal SMS's and Digital Prayer Walls keeping pilgrims involved before, during and after the event, said Michael Rocca, Group Managing Director, Telstra Networks and Services.

WYD08 now invites everyone - including all WYD08 registered pilgrims - to join Xt3 at www.Xt3.com .

The site will prove invaluable for sharing information - whether it be pilgrims planning their trip to WYD08, or administrators of religious educations programs hoping to create interactive forums for students and young adults.

A group of trained administrators will oversee Xt3 on a 24-hour basis to ensure that images, videos, comments and discussions are appropriate.

State of Origin

In case you didn't know - rugby, or "footie" as it is called here, is a BIG deal in Australia. Even by Texas standards, Australians take sports to a new level. The highlight of the year is the "State of Origin" series between New South Wales and Queensland. Three games are played over a period of two months between two all-star teams from each state.

Last night was the second game in the series and several of the priests in the deanery came over for dinner and to watch the game. While it was fun, New South Wales was shut out -- which doesn't make for a happy room. However, it was a good chance for Morgan and I to meet many of the priests in the area and ask a few questions about footie rules that have stumped us until now.

I must confess that I enjoy watching the sport -- it is fast-paced, simple to follow and relatively short (approx. 1.5 hours for a game). NRL (National Rugby League) I enjoy more than AFL (Australian Rules), which seems much less organized and too hard to follow.

I am amazed at the beating these blokes take and equally amazed that the game is rarely stopped for injuries, and that they do not pull a bloke off the field even if he is bleading significantly. Yet, while it is a serious game, the Australians demonstrate their relaxed nature in that the game is not stopped because of poor calls and people do not seem to get terribly upset about it; rather, it is accepted as part of the game. All of us strikes me as quite different from North American sports.

As for the Australian word of the day: "mad" or "maddness", which is awesome. You can just imagine the confusion this causes.

Blessings and G'Day!

A Series of Firsts

Last weekend, some of the long-term volunteers took advantage of the long weekend due to Monday’s celebration of the Queen’s birthday. On Sunday, we headed south to Jervis Bay, about two hours south of Sydney. The trip was a series of firsts for me: my first time to drive in Australia, to see humpback whales in the wild, and to eat a lamington.

Since fifteen of us made the trip, we needed two 8-passenger vans, one of which I happily drove. Part of the enjoyment came from the type of vans—two Mercedes Vitos with diesel engines. A Mercedes diesel—can anything be any better?! I was lovin’ it. It caused me to be nostalgic for my tank-like ’85 Turbodiesel Mercedes (probably my favourite of the cars I owned) that purred like a loud kitten. To be adequately prepared for the trip and to better appreciate the fine German engineering, I read the owners manual on Saturday. I was pleased to learn that Mercedes had remained pleasantly consistent with respect to the interior workings. There was even a dashboard full of nice large buttons, of which I tried to take advantage. I guess it takes an engineer to appreciate those sorts of things!

Driving on the highway was fairly simple. As long as I did not have to make many turns across traffic, I was fine. Australia is full of roundabouts, which can be quite fun but not really if you are in a large vehicle like a van. What I find most impressive about driving in Australia is the courtesy of the other drivers. There were a few instances when I found myself in the wrong lane. Upon discovering my mistake, I simply signalled, and cars would stop to allow me to merge in front of them. Never did I receive a honk. In fact, very rarely have I heard any honking in the city.

Another first was seeing humpback whales in the wild. We went out on a boat, which caught up to three whales. They were making their way to the warmer waters of Queensland for the winter. We also found some bottlenose dolphins, which seemed to impress folks more than the whales.

The final first of the trip to Jervis Bay was eating a lamington during afternoon tea after whale watching. Anzac biscuits, which we Americans would call oatmeal coconut cookies, and lamingtons are two very typical Australian desserts. Lamingtons are small white sponge cakes covered in chocolate and white shredded coconut. Sometimes they have an internal layer of jelly, but mine did not. They are as tasty as they sound!

Australian word of the day: trackie dacks = sweatpants.

Happy Birthday Your Majesty

Today is a public holiday in Australia to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Not quite sure what to do in the Queen's honor, we decided to do what comes natural -- ignore it all together and invite some friends over for lunch. However, not just any friends, but the wonderful Sisters from the Nashville Dominicans. We had a delightful leisurely lunch and discussed everything from our individual entrances into our communities to what we have learned about the Church in Australia so far. And while there have been many things, we have all been struck by the openness people have towards what comes out of WYD -- and their understanding that it will all take time for an impact to occur. We have also been struck by the absence of visible religious life in Sydney and how many misperceptions their are about it. Bottom line -- there are great seeds of hope being sown here and we are all thrilled to be here to witness it.

As for the Australian word of the day: "Capiscum" that is red bell pepper. Maybe they are called this elsewhere, but it took me a while to figure out what my recipe was calling for.

Rain + Busses = Wet Pedestrians

One month into our stay here in Sydney and we finally see what everyone has been talking about -- rain. Seriously, start praying now that it does not rain for WYD week because when it rains -- it rains for a week! We are not just talking about a little shower either, we are talking about change-of-clothes-is-necessary-when-you-get-to-the-office rainstorms. Being that I am from Texas -- that is saying something!

Of course, I learned all this the hard way (as usual). Yesterday, I left the house in the usual darkness and noticed it was raining a bit. No big deal, my shoes are waterproof and my clothes will dry (little did I know it would take most of the day) Keeping in mind that I do have a bit of a walk on either side of the bus ride, I did get a bit wet. However, it was not until George Street (which is much like Bloor or Westheimer) that I ran into real trouble. Buses: Terrible. Impolite. Just awful.

Note to anyone coming to Sydney: Never walk down George Street in a rain storm. Not knowing any better, I walked down George Street because it is covered all the way to the office (as are most of the streets in Sydney, which is very nice -- George is just wider). I knew that it was a major bus route, but what I did not realize is that they do not move over for the massive flow of water coming down the side of the road (which is channeled, so it really is a lot of water). Keeping my head down, I heard the bus coming before I saw the tidal wave roaring along side it. When I looked up, I quickly realized my plight and looked for an escape -- nothing. I flattened myself against the wall like a kid who just got caught misbehaving - but there was no dodging the water that came rushing across the sidewalk and battering the walls of the buildings. I hunkered underneath my umbrella and managed to keep 3/4 of me dry. In disbelief, I stood there stunned and noticed some poor bloke was in much worse shape than me as he had no umbrella.

I continued my walk until I was alerted by another fateful sound -- yes, another bus carrying with it another tidal wave. My mind was screaming while my eyes are desperately looked for a place of hopeful refuge. I quickly found a little doorway to hide in -- thank goodness. I stepped out to find the same poor bloke in front of me - once again soaked to the bone. If I were him, I would have turned around and gone right back to bed. No good can come from a day that starts like that.

I finally made it to the office relatively dry. The rain continues, and so do the busses.

As for the Australian Word of the Day: "Rock up", which means to show up some where un-announced or just casually stopping by. It happens a lot at the office.

Blessings and G'Day!