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!