Lest we forget...

ANZAC day inspires in us all a deep sense of respect and awe. We have heard and will hear many stories of the battles, some with happy endings and some not so.

Whilst my story does not directly link to the Great War and to Gallipoli, it does speak of the very same ideals that makes up the ANZAC spirit.

My grandfather served with the 28th Maori Battalion in WWII. He fought in battles in North Africa, Greece and Italy. Papa was eventually sent home from the war before it ended.

He was sent home because of an attempt on his life... from his own soldiers! Papa was given charge of a small infantry. From all accounts he was a hard man. He was so hard on his men that they colluded to kill him.

For his own safety, he was sent home. Nine months later the war ended. When the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII were held, many of the soldiers in Papa's infantry were there. That day several of them came up to Papa and thanked him for his harsh treatment of them. Without it they concede, that they might not have survived the war.

Papa used to always say to me, "War does not determine who's right, it only determine's who's left!" The horrors of war must be avoided. If we are truly serious about honouring those who fought so bravely for our freedom their sacrifice must not be repeated.

Christchurch pilgrimage to Temuka!! A huge success!!

The pope’s Christmas message spoke about people needing to make time for Christ in their lives. Often in the modern world we don’t have time for Christ. The Temuka pilgrimage gave all those who attended a rare opportunity to take an entire day to reflect on their relationship with God.

The day began with an excellent Mass celebrated by Bishop Barry Jones. Many of the young people there are grateful for a Bishop who takes an active interest in the youth of his diocese. The day was also a chance to meet most of the people who are going to World Youth Day.

After Mass there were three formation sessions, one by Eddie Caudal and Ken Joblin on belonging to the family of God, one by the Sisters of St Joseph on the life of Mary Mackillop, and one by Dean Mischewski on the plan of salvation. I personally found the focus on Mary Mackillop to be very insightful. I have very little in common with St Anthony (the desert father) so it was nice to encounter a modern saint who lived in the same county as I do. Paul VI spoke about the need for witnesses to the Catholic faith, Mary Mackillop was a powerful witness to all the Gospel values.

There were several trials during the day, including two buses breaking down, but this is all part of the pilgrimage experience, and there will definitely be trials at World Youth Day. The day concluded with a powerful time of adoration.The Temuka pilgrimage was invaluable preparation for World Youth Day. I’m very grateful to all those who put in so much time and effort into organising the various events.

By Michael Hempseed

Blessed Mary Mackillop... Pray for us!!

Hui in Tokoroa to signify start of the Journey!

Hey everyone

The weekend of Palm Sunday the Diocese of Hamilton held a Hui at Tokoroa to mark the beginning of our pilgrimage to World Youth Day. There were about 150 pilgrims representing nearly all of the groups from our diocese and we were accommodated by the lovely people at the local marae. The weekend was planned to be a small representative of WYD itself. On the Saturday the Catholic Youth Mission Team (http://www.livethetruth.org.nz/) ran games for the pilgrims which I think went down really well. It was a good no pressure way for everyone to interact and get to know each other a little. In the evening we had an information session about some more WYD details and excitement. We watched a beautiful section of a DVD which followed a pilgrimage of priests and Jesus through the streets in American I think.. The monstrance was carried through the streets and people followed.

Later that evening Bishop Denis led all of the pilgrims in an hour of adoration.

The following day we prepared for church at Saint Pius X which is just down the road from the marae. We all walked there together with most of the local parish people also.

After lunch Bishop addressed the pilgrims and we also had a brainstorm about what they would like to see after World Youth Day. This was very productive and the diocese is going to work towards putting some of the ideas of that day into place to maintain the WYD legacy.




Inside the marae:



















Before church:






















The whole group:

Rejoice - Jesus is Risen - Alleluia

I found it interesting during evening prayer this week with my Grove community members how one could draw parallels between Jesus' resurrection and World Youth Day. How you might ask?

A passage from our reflection spoke of Easter as an anti-climax.
Ash Wednesday had a sense of new beginnings. Lent was a project, a spiritual challenge.... Holy Week was a crescendo, Easter a culmination. Then nothing. Back to normal. 'Ordinary time'.

We too have been involved in a similar pattern - when we decided to travel to Sydney there was sense of new beginnings. The 'projects' of fundraising, retreats, and group meetings could also be a sense of spiritual challenges for our journey. The week of events in Sydney a crescendo, leading up to the final Papal mass - a culmination of all that we were journeying towards.

Then nothing. Back to N.Z. 'Ordinary time'.

But herein lies the beauty of the resurrection. Because for us, this was not the end.
Easter week should be everything - as it was with the first disciples. And it should be for us what it was for them - a beginning and not a conclusion; an awakening and not a tapering off.

This is the challenge for us young people - those travelling to Sydney and the many supporting us from home - the pilgrimage to WYD2008 should be our resurrection story. The build up to Sydney has long begun, and we await with great joy the weeks events in July - yet it will not end upon our return home. The legacy is here to remain through us.