Handover to Sydney

Hello again!First off I would like to say a big thank you to a large group of people who helped the Journey of the Cross and Icon and handover happen so smoothly:

* Dave Mullin (Hugo!), who was just brilliant the entire time in Sydney and throughout the JCI in New Zealand also

* the College group who travelled to Sydney too - you guys were culturally inspiring and made me really proud to be a New Zealander!

* my fellow ambassadors :D , you are all such beautiful people and I loved the way that we all got along so well, truly God inspired relationships which I will treasure for life

* Areti for his help in Australia,

and also thanks to everyone else involved in our part in the Journey of the Cross and Icon - Jamie, Peter, Kerry, David, Lisa, Alice, Renee, students at the Catholic Colleges we visited along the way and everyone else involved!!! :D

This blog is basically about the handover of the Cross and Icon to Australia. It will probably be quite similar to that of my fellow ambassadors' but here it is from my point of view anyway...On Saturday afternoon we all gathered in Auckland to fly out to Sydney for the handover of the Cross and Icon from New Zealand to Australia.

The group was made up of: the 6 Kiwi Ambassadors, Dave Mullin the project manager, Archbishop John Dew and a school group made up of representatives from each of the three Maori Catholic Colleges in New Zealand. We arrived in Sydney late Saturday night and were billeted with families from Earlwood Parish. Early on Sunday morning we met for the official handover at Sydney Airport. The New Zealand group gathered on a Qantas plane with the cross and icon. We were called off the plane by the Maori Catholic group singing a beautiful chant. They formed a guard of honor on the ground and the Ambassadors carried the cross down through the students.

The native Aboringine people then performed a welcome dance and while the digeridoo played we stood the cross up for the crowd then gave it into the hands of the Australian delegates.After this we traveled to Mary MacKillop Place for a beautiful service with the Josephite sisters. We had a short lunch here then gathered outside the church ready to walk to Darling Harbour. There was quite a large crowd walking the 5 or 6 k’s across the Harbour Bridge and everyone was enthusiastic about the task at hand.On arrival at Darling Harbour the New Zealand Ambassadors took the cross and walked it in through the people.

There were about 8000 people in the crowd and we had to walk the cross through the entire group. It was a really special moment because everyone was reaching out to the cross and trying to touch it. It did get a little rough at times but the six of us supported each other and made our way to the front. There were a few speeches then a repeat of the handover at the hangar. The New Zealand group was allowed the chance for final veneration of the cross and icon before the crowd was also given this opportunity. We then moved on to St Mary’s Cathedral in the center of town for the evenings mass.

This Cathedral is apparently the 6th largest Cathedral in the world and it was just amazing to walk into. We had reserved seats up in the front row so had a perfect view of the service. The Church was full and there were also lots of people sitting on the ground. The Cross and Icon were processed in and the Australian Delegates commissioned to begin the pilgrimage in Australia. This was officially the end of our job in Australia and it was actually quite sad to be finally leaving the cross.

Monday was basically a free day for the New Zealand group so the girls and I went into Sydney to do a bit of shopping. We then met up with the boys, Dave and Archbishop John for lunch. Dave surprised us by taking us up the Sydney Sky Tower for the afternoon where we had coffee, cake and enjoyed the beautiful views of the city. We flew out from Sydney airport on Tuesday afternoon and arrived back in Auckland about 9:30 that night.

Before traveling to Sydney I spent some time with the Cross and Icon traveling around the Hamilton Diocese and looking back it feels like I have had the most amazing couple of weeks. What has made my experiences along this pilgrimage so memorable have been the people I met along the way. That to me is what pilgrimage is about; the people, the relationships you form, and the bonds you make with fellow pilgrims on the same journey. There is a strong sense of unity created and that feeling is inspiring. I have really felt the strength of the Catholic Church as a united force for our God and am proud to be part of it.

It makes me feel more enthusiastic about playing my part and doing everything I can for our almighty God. I would like to invite and encourage you all to make the decision to come to World Youth Day next year. It will be a once in a life time experience that you will never ever forget. What I experienced in Sydney and have shared with you just now is just a snippet, a preview of what next year will be like and my only wish now is that everyone can be a part of it.

The JCI!!!

Blog 24 07 07:
It was such an amazing and rewarding experience travelling with The Cross and Icon throughout the Palmerston North Diocese. We were so immersed in the youth, culture and faith of our area.

The Cross and Icon had crossed so many oceans, been up mountains, inside nightclubs, been amongst poverty and absorbed so many prayers in so many tongues. It was so powerful to know that these same symbols of God’s love were here in New Zealand, within our reach and in our guardianship. So many people gathered to touch The Cross and it is evident that it has touched so many hearts in return.

The JCI was a immeasurable experience. No words or photographs could really capture the emotional and spiritual experience we were exposed to on our journey. However, the memories will always be imbedded in our hearts. From the beautiful prayerful liturgies… to the display of powerful culture and faith…. to lively street walks… to celebrating youth through the art of Krumping!!

The Cross had a true sense of belonging in each area we visited. Each welcome was so special and unique and the symbols were really embraced. Although the Cross and icon were only in one place for a short amount of time I was amazed at the connections that were made and the attachment people had with it.

I feel that being part of the journey of the Cross and Icon really gave me enlightenment to what a pilgrimage is. Yes, there were long hours, long treks, times of frustration, times we truly had to work as a team and unite and at times we had to be courageous and step out and be confident of who we are and what we believe in. However, these challenges were so character building and a true sense of achievment and self-worth was nurtured. It was such a fruitful and rewarding experience because I learnt alot about God but also myself. I have never appreciated my culture, upbringing and faith so much.

I found out that it doesn’t matter where you are, what time of the day it is, if there are two people present or two thousand - God can be present in such an altruistic and special way. (It really reinforced to me good old Mathew 18:20!)

Now Just a few thank yous!!!
- I want to thank Dave for his dedication, organisation and toleration!! (hehe) Dave has been such a corner stone in the preparations of World Youth Day....
- Thanks to the AMAZING Dio team .. Katrina Van de Water, (who has given so much time towards making the Palmerston North JCI such a success!) Jonny Boon and Lynette Roberts-King who travelled with the cross throughout our region - good times! Also, a warm thank you to John Haami, Marie Hall and Atiria Atlam for their assistance.

Each region made the JCI so special and unique. Thank you so much for the time and energy you have donated!!!

Hawke’s Bay: Bill Dysart, Ron Allen, Fr Paul Kerridge, Will Foley
Taranaki: Clare Whareaitu, Michael Holmes, Fiona Dravitzki, Michelle Schaare
Whanganui: Helen Dogherty, Jayson Herewini, Tony Bouterey
Manawatu: Kathleen Field, Fr Craig Butler, Murray Adams

Finally, my utmost and sincere appreciation to all those that were involved in this amazing event in what ever way, prayer or participation - God bless - you are awesome! I hope your journey towards WYD 08 is going well!!!

Jane

The Cross and Icon have GONE!!!

The Journey of the Cross and Icon exceeded my expectations in so many ways and I thank God for the experience of carrying, touching and venerating these sacred treasures. The trip to Sydney was amazing and it really opened my eyes to the power of Christ working in our Church and in our hearts. Many tears were shed and much laughter was heard, but the most tangible emotion, throughout the Cross and Icons journey through NZ and over to Sydney, was LOVE.

The LOVE christ has for us is no ordinary love, like the love we have for a car or the love for good food. It is more like the Love we have for our parents or for our brothers and sisters, but again it is SO much more.The Cross and Icon symbolise this awesome LOVE of God, and it is not meant to stop there!! We need to engage with this love and feed ourselves with it.

A suggestion I have for all those preparing for WYD2008 is to go to Holy Mass at least every Sunday, this is where the LOVE we experienced with the Cross and Icon is made REAL, in the living presence of Jesus. Also, do not be afraid to go to reconciliation, where again the awesome LOVE of God washes away all our sins.If you have any questions, thoughts or comments, do not hesitate to contact me.

God Bless you all and stay warm!

Handover to Sydney

E muamua ona ou si’i le viiga ma le fa’afetai I le Atua, mo lana taitaiga ma lana puipuiga ia tatou uma. Ua taunu’u ma le manuia lenei Malaga, matou te vi’ia pea lau Afio. E avatu fo’i ma lenei avanoa e momoli atu le fa’afetai ia te outou uma lava mo le lagolagoina o lo’u tagata vaivai – mo tatalo, talosaga, aemaise le alofa – malo lava le tapua’i.

From the minute we touched down in Auckland, to the events of the Handover in Sydney, and on our return home, every moment was full of excitement, fun and emotion that can only be captured by those who were there to witness. Here is my testimony to those events …

The send off from the diocese of Auckland on the evening of Friday 30 June was rather special, and the Marist group LOGOS prepared a rather poignant part of the mass with a presentation to the diocese of the six Kiwi Ambassadors. Meeting the other ambassadors I must admit I was rather uncertain as to how we might get along. But, my concern was soon quashed as soon as we met.
The bond was immediately formed and to me it felt like we have known each other for years. Sarah (Hamilton) put it nicely when she noted how we are all so different in character, but what has brought us together and made our bond so strong is the foundation of morals and upbringings, but also how we are all traveling similar journeys. Just wanted to thank them from the bottom of my heart for making my journey that much more comfortable and fun, I can now say that I have made new friends for life; and that plane rides would never be the same again!

Geremy (Auckland) commented on how it was our job as representatives of New Zealand to wrap the Cross and Icon in all the mana it deserves, and show Australia how much of an impact it has had while here on our shores. This was not possible without our Kapa Haka group made up of the three Maori Catholic colleges – Hato Petera, Paora and Hohepa (Sts. Peter, Paul and Joseph respectively). These young people showed true mana and what it means to represent more than their schools or diocese but all young people of New Zealand. Be it their beautiful voices lifted in waiata (song), or their lively haka as we entered the grounds at Darling Harbour, to their laughter that filled our bus. I will remember the lovely smiles, and thank them for their huge part they played in assisting us in handing the Cross and Icon over to Australia.

Once in Sydney the highlight was obviously the days events of Sunday July 1st. We won’t even comment on the rugby game the night before; next please. J The day began with a moving ceremonial handover at the Sydney Airport in the morning, which was followed by a symbolic liturgy and veneration at Mary MacKillop place.

There were two distinct memories, which hold a special place in my heart as Ambassador. The first was the walk from Mary Mackillop place to Darling Harbour, whereby Archbishop John Dew was given the opportunity to join with the Australian Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinal Pell in being driven to the venue. However, he politely declined and declared that he came to be with the young people – how proud we were to look across the crowd and see that it was our Archbishop who chose to walk and pilgrim with the Cross and Icon, but more importantly with the young people. I would like to extend my thanks to Archbishop John for showing a humbling example to us young people, I know for sure that many of us were so proud that you were our chosen Archbishop.

The second was walking the Cross into Darling Harbour. What an honour it was to be carrying the Cross, along with the other Ambassadors into the main event. As we walked in we were not aware of the huge crowd, until we turned the corner to an unbelievable surge of people trying to touch the Cross. We had to walk along the back of the crowd, next to a water canal feature in order to get to the middle aisle and walk up to the front. There were people jumping into the water trying to touch or see the Cross! Walking through the aisle to the front, we were overwhelmed with people pushing and surging forward to touch these powerful symbols, and screams from the crowd when it showed up on the big screen. It was here that I took a moment to appreciate how immense World Youth Day is, what an honour it was to be an integral part of the journey, and how huge it’s going to be next year! With the excitement and energy that the Australian people have, there is no doubt that if 8000 people who gathered at Darling Harbour are any example of what is to come – then WYD 2008 in Sydney is going to be great!

So, that is the spirit I can bring back from such a powerful, exciting, and moving handover. It’s been a renewal of many feelings – excitement, joy, gratitude, and hope. That we can only go forth, with the love of God and through the Holy Spirit, and be witnesses of His love and power. I am once again, so humbled and thankful to have been part of this journey. My sincere thanks to Dave Mullin, who was the backbone of our team – thanks for the leadership, initiative and sense of humour that you shared with us. Our very own Jaffa! J

To all those pilgrims, priests, religious, and family members traveling to Sydney next year – I have been told that what I experienced this year is only a small taste of what next year will bring. So, as we build towards next year, take time to prepare yourselves financially, resourcefully, but more so spiritually and emotionally. My prayers are with you in this time of fundraising, organizing, and preparing – and as I journey with you I will continue to share my experiences with you all …

Soifua ona o Iesu Keriso.