Hello America,

   You come to many places in life near and far, but all in all in these situations friends should be tested.  We have been submerged in the mist of new surroundings with people from all over the earth.  I enjoyed meeting people.  Last night I went dancing with four great friends. I am honored to say we have been blessed with a great new shepherd, “Fr. Clement!”  We are off now to New Zealand.  God Bless and Love to all my family and my friends.

In Christ,  Derek Vallee UL Senior

Prayers and blessings be with all of you!  The pilgrimage has come to an end with the final Mass of World Youth Day 2008.  The priests had the chance to con-celebrate Mass with the Holy Father, which included: Frs. Chauvin, Davis, Delcambre, and myself from Lafayette…also Fr. Carville from Christ the King at LSU.  Truly, to begin the priestly life with Benedict XVI is a blessed marvel. There were so many young priests, which gives hope to the future and present  the Church.  

The Pope placed the following question before the youth, “What is going to be your contribution to the next generation of the Church?” The same question applies to each of us at Our Lady of Wisdom. 

Reflecting upon the Wisdom crew, all is well for the most part…there were a few students that developed “colds”; however, they seem to be on the up side of their illnesses.  Of course, I have come to learn the practical joke side of our students.  They are quite a clever group with a most interesting collective sense of humor.

Off to New Zealand for a few days…In Him, Fr. Clement

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

As Mass began today at our Catechism sight, I look out among our students with great joy…the ole heart was moved with overwhelming awe at their steadfast holding of the faith.  Things have not been perfect on this trek; however, the general attitude of our men and women give much hope to the future of Mother Church. 

In Him, Fr. Clement

Dear Poppa, parishioners and the World,

Today two of the greatest things has happened to me today. I ATE KANGAROO, which is probably just about the coolest thing ever, and i played football (soccer) with pilgrims from Poland, England, and of course Australia. By playing soccer with the other pilgrims, I realized that we were doing just what God wants us to do. To be one. Even though we are from different parts of the Earth we came together in that moment as one.

During the Mass today, at St. Patrick’s, the song “One Bread One Body” was played. I have heard this song hundreds of times, but today as pilgrims from different countries sang loud and proud, I finally understood what the words really meant. I am so very thankful for this opportunity to be “one” with my fellow Catholics from across the world.

Yours in Christ,
Blake Faulk
“I ate Kangaroo”

Acts 1:8  World Youth Day Theme

When we first started out fund raising all we talked about was seeing Australia and the Pope.  As it turns out we have learned so much more.  Not only is our small Wisdom group growing closer together, but God provided us a chance to travel with over 100 others from Louisiana.  We have developed a small community here in Australia.  However, we all know that Louisiana is blessed with many Catholics.  Because of this, we forget that the church is universal and is much bigger than our state.  During our days out, everyone where we go someone asks “Are you here for WYD?”  We are making an impact on this culture.  They are interested in why their roads are being closed and their land is being used.  They want to know what is it that is so special.  And the other pilgrims that have traveled here, want us to say that “Yes” we are all in this faith together and we all believe in this amazing Catholic Faith as the fullness of Truth.  Soon we will be given that opportunity to actually have Mass, to experience the “World Youth Day” - July 20th with the Pope and with all the pilgrims, being one as the Body of Christ.

Know that all of you are in our prayers, please continue to pray for us as Christ continues to call each one of us to be a light to the nations as we become Witnesses to the “Ends of the Earth.” - So that all may experience the fullness of Truth as St. Ireneaus says, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”

Stay tune to our website.   As well for Live Coverage for WYD 2008 watch EWTN, broadcasting live from Sydney, Australia.

your daughter in Christ,

Lauren Daniels, U.L. Senior

Truly, all is well on this end of the world concerning the lot of us.  Through years of teaching and being a student, also…it must be said that our students are a true jewel of the Church.  The charity and faithful responsibility each share among the Wisdom crew, truly, is a witness to the values Henry Cardinal Newman preached among his own students. 

The foundation of our pilgrimage rests upon the celebration of Mass daily.  During our L.A.  layover, nine of the students chose an early morning tour and were deeply concerned about missing the Mass of the day.  Therefore, I celebrated Mass for them in my hotel room…one of many first since ordination.  Again, the thirst of our college students for the Eucharist is quite remarkable, a true witness to the Holy Spirit in the light of Cardinal Newman.

In addition, the sense of humor shared among each of our pilgrims compliments their spirituality.  Truly, Fr. Chester was correct when he said, “Father, you go on pilgrimage for your students…the conditions do not matter.  It is about Jesus.”  So, four days into the trek the questions these folk ponder about the Faith continue, as well as mine at times, so that we might grow stronger.  At the end of the day all is well…of course with much adventures. 

In Him, Fr. Clement 

After a twelve hour flight to New Zealand and then another four hour flight to Sydney, Australia.  We started the day off with a wide variety of choices for breakfast followed by Mass.  After Mass we then got to visit the Taronga Zoo where I was able to fulfill my dream of seeing a platypus in person.  This zoo was filled with hundreds of animals, as well as amazing scenery of the harbor and downtown Sydney.

We then took the ferry across the harbor into downtown Sydney where we visited St. Mary’s Cathedral (www.stmaryscathedral.org.au) and were able to see the body that lies in the coffin of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati as well as many of other sights.  In the cathedral and outside of the cathedral we were able to meet several from all around the world including Guam, Ohio, Michigan, as well as recieving a gracious welcome of many Australians and many were impressed with us being from the USA.

Logan

“Its all good.”

Leadership Team