Dear All,
All 7 Port Pirie pilgrims in our group have returned safe and well, motivated and inspired, connected and grateful from their 25 days of pilgrimage to World Youth Day. There were also 2 pilgrims from Quorn who travelled with the Salvatorian group. We had a wonderful time with the Adelaide pilgrims, some of whom are still travelling in Europe. We were so touched by the hospitality of our hosts, delighted by the international mix and moved by the speeches, particularly those of Pope Francis. Poland and the Czech Republic were also beautiful, green countries with so much to offer. I think many people would choose to put them on future Europe itineraries.
Some of my own highlights were the Days in the Diocese, catechesis sessions, Stations of the Cross and evening vigil with the Pope. The ceremonies were very creative, connected with the reality of the poor, and even used circus to present moving scenes of Jesus!
A few things I learned during the pilgrimage...Don't focus on what we should do, but on relationship with God and the right action will take care of itself. How to respond to those who can't forgive: ask them to imagine God forgiving that person and pray for the grace to unite ourselves with God's forgiveness. Be a silent witness to the faith – people listen to witnesses rather than teachers – capture people with our joy and peace.
And a few faith discoveries...Finding God's presence in a myriad of different styles of faith expression. Connecting in being caught up in beauty and sorrow. Discovering the generosity of God's love through our host families.
So now I will let the other pilgrims share their thoughts, through here, in their parishes and in the Witness. Thank you very much to everyone who prayed for and supported us. The next World Youth Day will be in Panama 2019 – a wonderful place linking north and south!
In the meantime, we have coming up a Youth Day in the Kadina Catholic Church, for all young Christians. See details below.
In Peace, Elizabeth
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Youth Day- Kadina - 27th August
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Youth Day is being held at the Catholic Church/Hall, Goyder Street, Kadina, Saturday, 27 August
Year 2 - 6 from 2.30pm - 5.30pm
and Year 7 - Year 12 6.30pm to 9.30pm, Primary: DVD, free afternoon tea and a Young youth worker from Adelaide to speak and a Circus Act from a Nun from the Catholic Port Pirie Diocese
Seniors: DVD, free supper provided and a Young youth worker from Adelaide to speak and a Circus Act from Sr Elizabeth, a Nun from the Catholic Port Pirie Diocese
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Michael & Melissa Slattery in Poland.
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Michael and Melissa Slattery from Quorn
They set off on their pilgrimage at 10pm from Perth WA on the 13th July. On a journey that would take them across the other side of the world, to Poland, to celebrate the 31st World Youth Day.
They have cruised the Greek Islands and visited many historical places.
They stayed in Bagno the hometown of the Salvatorian Priests. They have spent a few days enjoying the hospitality of the seminarians at the Salvatorian Seminary. On the 25th July, they are travelled to Krakow, where the actual World Youth Day (WYD 16) festivities will commence, starting tomorrow. They have kept us posted via Facebook and some emails, Wi-Fi has been sporadic.
They would like me to thank EVERYONE that has helped them to partake in this amazing journey. Melissa has mentioned that the love, peace and friendships they have experienced will remain with them for a long time.
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Bec Corcoran, from Whyalla, kept a blog during her pilgrimage. Read it all here: http://samcolwyd.blogspot.com.au/ Following is her report of the World Youth Day week: Well what an incredible week we have had! Unfortunately the internet wasn't so great so I apologize for the delay in blog updates. Here is a rundown of our week in Krakow: Last Tuesday morning we attended the Australian Gathering for all Australian pilgrims. It was wonderful to see other pilgrims from South Australia who had attended with other groups. It was especially good to see my brother Daniel and the other Antiochers in the Australian Antioch group. We listened to testimonies from young Australians who had transformed their lives through faith. Our own Sr Elizabeth Young spoke about how mercy doesn't need to be a grand act, that we can observe mercy in many small ways, like holding the door on an elevator or lending someone lunch money. It was great to be among English speakers again as well (though I have managed to pick up a number of Polish phrases). In the evening, we attended the official Opening Mass for the WYD celebration. Presided over by the Bishop of Krakow, about 500,000 people attended despite the rain. The Mass was said in a number of languages including Polish, English, Italian, French, Spanish and Latin. However, with our radios, we were able to follow an English translation. This was just the beginning of the activities to come.
On Wednesday morning we attended our first Catechesis, a talk by a Cardinal which explores the theme of WYD “blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy”. The theme for this particular Catechesis was 'now is the time for mercy'. Cardinal Timothy Dolan from New York City spoke to us about forgiveness and how mercy is something we often procrastinate about. He quoted St Augustine who said “we will always have God's mercy, we may not have tomorrow”. The time for mercy is now, it's not something we should put off. We then made our way into the city for lunch and some souvenir shopping before heading out to a Worship and Adoration session lead by Matt Maher. It was absolutely packed and we waited over an hour. We were very lucky to make it inside as there were thousands turned away at the door. It was wonderful to see one of my favourite song writers live and to be lead in one of the most beautiful adoration of the blessed sacrament I can remember. The tram was so full on the way back to our accommodation that we quite literally couldn't fall over as we were packed in so close, this was the norm over the course of the week.
Thursday we attended the second Catechesis by Cardinal Patita Paini from Tonga who spoke on the topic “allowing ourselves to be touched by God's mercy”. He spoke about how we can often find it easier to give mercy than to accept it. He also spoke about how we can sometimes struggle to show mercy, but if God can show mercy, why can't we? He gave the example of Saint John Paul II who forgave the man who had tried to assassinate him, for who is better than God? That afternoon we gathered in anticipation to welcome the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to WYD. The Pope arrived by tram, travelling with sick children from the hospital. He arrived to huge applause and cheering, driving through all sections in his Popemobile. In his address, he spoke about how faith can rise above all, especially in light of the horrific event in France with the assassination of a Catholic priest earlier in the week. He also spoke about how Jesus isn't something you can buy. Each of the six continents that were represented presented one saint that had demonstrated mercy in their lives. Saint Mary MacKillop was presented for Australia and Oceania. After an exhausting day, we headed back for an early night.
On Friday I opted to forgo the Catechesis session to visit the Divine Mercy Sanctuary where Saint Faustina lived and is now buried. Saint John Paul II also visited this shrine and both of their portraits hang in the main church. We were lucky to celebrate Mass with a group of Irish pilgrims while there. I also had the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet that St Faustina prayed, praying for mercy for the world and trust in Jesus. That afternoon many of us rested in preparation for the huge events on Saturday and Sunday. The Stations of the Cross were presented and can be viewed on the xt3 website.
Early Saturday morning, we began our pilgrimage to the site of the Vigil and final Mass. We were able to catch the tram some of the way, but still had to walk nearly 9km to our section. The huge number of people made the collection of food and entry into the venue very time consuming. We eventually found our place around 2pm and waited in anticipation for the arrival of the Pope. Keeping cool was our top priority as the sun was very hot and there was no shade available. The Vigil began around 6.30pm and the Holy Father prayed for peace in our world. He asked us to stand in silence and join hands in a show of support for all people who are experiencing the effects of war and terrorism. We then lit candles in a stand of faith, 1.5 million candles to show that we stand together for peace. The Pope's full message can also be found on xt3. We slept in the open, on the ground, with the 10,000 other people in our section. Once the sun had set, it was really quite cold. It was an uncomfortable sleep that constantly reminded me I am a pilgrim, not a tourist. We got up with the sun around 5am and waited for Mass at 10. Pope Francis celebrated Mass, especially fitting as it was the feast of Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order to which the Pope belongs. He spoke beautifully about the message in the gospel, that Jesus sought out sinners and showed them mercy, that he looked up to the tax collector, not down on him, an that Jesus wants to enter our hearts, that is the house where he wishes to stay. The Pope asked how we would respond to that invitation, do we accept it or ignore it? Mass concluded about midday and we were required to walk back in the heat of the afternoon. As they had blocked the roads to all transport, we had to walk the full 17km back to our accommodation. Half way, a huge thunderstorm rolled in and we got very wet. We were all particularly exhausted by the time we arrived home. We had to spend the evening packing ready for an early departure from Krakow on Monday morning.
Yesterday we said goodbye to beautiful Poland. It was a little sad to leave as we have had an amazing experience there. It was a full day's bus ride to Prague in the Czech Republic where we will be staying until Saturday morning.
I hope all is well in both Adelaide and Whyalla. Less than a week until I am back on Australian soil.
God bless!
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Michael and Melissa
Bec and Katherine
Julian and Fr Harold
Stations of the Cross
Days in the Diocese
Walk
Salvatorians
