Today was my final day of catechesis at the Sydney Entertainment Center. It featured a great talk from Bishop Eugene Hurley talking about what it means when the rubber hits the road and we have to truly witness to Christ in our lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. He recalled the words of John Paul the Great when he was in Rome speaking to the pilgrims at World Youth Day then saying that it would be hard to be witnesses of Jesus, but that we WOULD do it. The words of Bishop Hurley brought me right back to remembering just how much faith JPII had in the youth. Certainly I have him to thank for being here right now at this XXIII World Youth Day.
The Stations of the Cross were today. I have not attended this part of World Youth Day in the two times previously, but this time I am did and I'm glad I did. It was very well done and took place in several locations around Sydney from St. Mary's Cathedral to the Operah House to Darling Harbor and finally to where I was in Barangaroo. You'll see a couple pictures I took below of it when it went right by where I was within the venue.
Following the Stations of the Cross was the main Friday event, "Receive the Power LIVE!" which featured your friend and mine, Matt Maher. The whole thing was AMAZING. It was somewhat XLTish and did include a short Eucharistic Adoration. It was more than that though. A great time of praise and worship alongside Darlene Zschech and Hillsong United. Powerful messages from several people including John Pridmore, an English gangster gone straight after finding a relationship with Christ.
I continue to meet people from all over the country and all over the world...so many people! They have estimated 500,000 for that final Mass on Sunday, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were more.
Tomorrow I journey from North Sydney over the Harbor Bridge and down to Randwick Racecourse, the site of the final vigil and Mass for World Youth Day. It is roughly an 8-mile walk which I will start tomorrow morning to get me to Randwick around noon. I most likely will not be able to post tomorrow because of it but please continue to keep me in prayer as I will keep you in mine.
The Stations of the Cross were today. I have not attended this part of World Youth Day in the two times previously, but this time I am did and I'm glad I did. It was very well done and took place in several locations around Sydney from St. Mary's Cathedral to the Operah House to Darling Harbor and finally to where I was in Barangaroo. You'll see a couple pictures I took below of it when it went right by where I was within the venue.
Following the Stations of the Cross was the main Friday event, "Receive the Power LIVE!" which featured your friend and mine, Matt Maher. The whole thing was AMAZING. It was somewhat XLTish and did include a short Eucharistic Adoration. It was more than that though. A great time of praise and worship alongside Darlene Zschech and Hillsong United. Powerful messages from several people including John Pridmore, an English gangster gone straight after finding a relationship with Christ.
I continue to meet people from all over the country and all over the world...so many people! They have estimated 500,000 for that final Mass on Sunday, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were more.
Tomorrow I journey from North Sydney over the Harbor Bridge and down to Randwick Racecourse, the site of the final vigil and Mass for World Youth Day. It is roughly an 8-mile walk which I will start tomorrow morning to get me to Randwick around noon. I most likely will not be able to post tomorrow because of it but please continue to keep me in prayer as I will keep you in mine.
Nehemiah was Following Along with the Stations of the Cross Too
Pilgrims from New Jersey Take in the Stations of the Cross
Australian Christian Artist Darlene Zschech and Hillsong United
Former Gangster John Pridmore
Matt Maher Band Rocking Barangaroo at Receive the Power LIVE!
A Fun Skit From the Morning Catechesis
Bishop Hurley from the Diocese of Darwin, Australia
The Aboriginal People Are Prayed Over and In Turn Pray Over the Rest of the Congregation
Simon of Cyrene During the Stations of the Cross
Jesus being Led to "The Place of the Skull"
1 comment:
Hey buddy,
We've been following your steps, reading your blog.
Were just thinking about you and the great time we had, you visiting us in cologne in 2005. Yesterday we had a look again at the letters you wrote for us on WYD 2005 and we wanted to thank you again for your great and warm-hearted manner.
Yours,
Ruth, Wolfgang, Ingmar and Tillmann
Post a Comment