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!