News from WYD - Witnessing from the “Ends of the Earth”

7/21/08

To:  Fr. Chester, Our Parishioners, and the World

Hey there everyone! It is our last day here in Australia. It is sad to leave because we have been blessed with beautiful weather, “extraordinary hospitality” (Acts 28:2), and so much of God’s love. Reflecting on this experience, I have noticed the awesome works of the Holy Spirit. At our Catechesis sessions, we were able to hear testimonies of how the Spirit has changed and guided the lives of other pilgrims. It was also beautiful to see on the day of the Papal arrival, a stampede of youth with their hearts on fire for God, chasing after the Holy Father hoping to catch a glimpse of him. The same beauty was shown on the evening of the “sleeping under the stars”. Everyone was cold and covered in dirt, but with the Holy Father’s blessing we knew we were surrounded in the midst of God’s love.

The most powerful encounter I have had with the Holy Spirit on this pilgrimage, was after a Catechesis session, waiting for Mass to begin. I was deep in prayer, crying out to God, wondering what he wanted me to do, and wondering just what he thought of me. Several minutes later, a woman sitting in the Church approached me and whispered, “You are special.”

Love,

Katie, UL Sophomore

7/21/08

The joy that has overwhelmed me since the start of this pilgrimage can be put into no other words than a complete embrace and fulfillment of the Holy Spirit covering every inch of my being. The Holy Spirit has given each of us a joyful heart throughout our journey, enabling us to make it through every obstacle placed before us.

As the Holy Father flew over all of the pilgrims before our evening vigil, he blessed us together as one body in Christ. The opportunity to see people from every nation being led by the presence of the Holy Father into communion with Christ was overwhelming. One word remains in my heart from this experience, “Alelluia.” Every pilgrim from around the globe was able to sing Alelluia in one voice to our almighty Father.

In our final catechesis session one of the bishops spoke about ways to be a witness of the Holy Spirit. Our lives, as followers of Christ, belong to the whole community as long as we live. We must decide in our hearts and minds to live our lives for one another. In his final words to us he said, “Today you make His kingdom come in everything you do.”

 Peace in Christ,

Sarah Mele, UL Sophomore

    Mass Schedule

    Monday- Friday:

        Noon

    Saturday:

    4:00 p.m. Anticipated Mass
    6:00 p.m. Spanish anticipated Mass

    Sunday:

    9:00 a.m.
    11:00 a.m.
    6:00 p.m.

    Note: Masses on Holy Days of obligation are scheduled at 12:00 noon and 5:30 p.m