Dear All,
This week our Port Pirie pilgrims are joining the Adelaide pilgrims for World Youth Day in Poland! Please pray for us as we cross borders and become global citizens, delving deeper into our faith journeys and finding God in all things.
Since the last newsletter we have been celebrating youth-led Masses and joining together at youth groups to explore faith and life journeys. I include Hannah Pitt's reflection at the recent Port Augusta youth-led Mass. She is a teacher at Port Augusta West Primary School and we all learned from, and appreciated, her take on the week's readings.
To all those involved with schools, all the very best for the holidays, stay safe and God bless!
In Peace,
Elizabeth
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Reflection by Hannah Pitt, 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
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This is the first time I have been asked to do a reflection, so forgive me, if this I'll thought out. In preparation I went through the reading line by line. And stopped at "Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals" Every time I hear this reading I am shocked by the starkness of the order. I am aware, like many of my generation, I am intensely materialistic. My generation don't like going without our phones let alone a spare pair of shoes we would need on a long trek. My handbag is always packed with essentials I may need at any points- and lots of other things. Even if I am caught without my lip balm or hair ties I can easily visit Coles or Woolworths and buy what I need. I feel safe in my belongings and security. But in this reading, 72 followers of Christ are ordered to give away or go without a spare pair shoes, their bags and money and go. Traveling out to spread the Jesus' teachings to others, many who were not welcoming to this news. There is no protection for them, no safety for them, baring Jesus name. There is no Coles or Woolworths for these travellers. No safety net or spare pair of shoes. They rely on the hospitality of busy people. My modern and afraid brain fears for them. They are, in Jesus' words, "like Lambs among Wolves". They must be afraid. And yet. And yet, when they see Jesus again, they do not talk of fear, they do not talk of hardships. They rejoice, they talk of safety and protection. They brag that even the Devil had submitted to them in Jesus name.
They do not fear. They rejoice. They are safe in faith and under the protection of Jesus' name and they go and spread the news of Lord. They trust God and Jesus, they greet others with "Peace to this house!” I admire their courage and faith, as much as I admire the fact that their names were written in heaven.
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WYD 2016 live streamed from Poland for those at home
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From 26-31 July, main events from Kraków will be broadcast live at: www.xt3.com/live. Xt3, meaning Christ in the Third Millennium, is a website and digital resource that began in 2008 during World Youth Day in Sydney as a way to connect pilgrims. It has since developed into a hub of Catholic online resources.
Hosted by the Archdiocese of Sydney, Xt3 events can be viewed live from the comfort of your own home, such as the meeting of Pope Francis with the youth of the world in Kraków this month.
Given the international time difference, the World Youth Day events will be available to watch at any time after the live webcast has been broadcast.
On Tuesday, 26 July, the live webcast will begin with the Opening Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Kraków.
Other live streamed events will include
- the arrival of Pope Francis and his official welcome with the young people on Thursday, 28 July
- the Way of the Cross enactment on Friday, 29 July
- the evening vigil with the Holy Father on Saturday, 30 July
- the closing Mass on Sunday, 31 July.
Additional date and time details are available from: www.xt3.com/live.
A uniquely Australian event at World youth Day is the Australian Gathering which can also be viewed on Xt3.com as 2500 Australian pilgrims join with half of the Catholic Bishops Conference from Australia (ACBC) who will make the journey to accompany their young people.
The ACBC will share stories, photos and videos about the Australian experiences throughout WYD via the ACBC website, Facebook and Twitter, @ACBCYouthMin and @ACBC1, or Catholic.org.au/
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Prayer of blessing for WYD pilgrims
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All-loving God,
You always show mercy toward those who love you You are never far away for those who seek you.
Remain with our pilgrims on this holy pilgrimage And guide their way in accord with your will. Shelter them with your protection by day, Give them the light of your grace by night, And as their companion and friend on the journey, Bring them to their destination in safety.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Follow the WYD Journey with Bec Corcoran
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Follow along the WYD journey with Whyalla pilgrim, Bec Corcoran's blog: