tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36815829618473810712011-04-22T14:34:20.287+12:00National WYD Committee (NZ)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05590056531252439535noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-29618969512384187412008-05-17T12:08:00.008+12:002008-12-11T13:48:02.242+13:00

Palmerston North Diocese’s Hui was AWESOME!!!! Since our Dio is so spread out, we had people coming from Taranaki, Whanganui, Palmerston North and also coming down from far parts of Hawkes Bay – and what can I say, all together, what a dynamic group and AMAZING bunch of people!We came from near and far to unite centrally at Hato Paora College to spend time together, sleep on the floor, sing

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-62752455865832813172008-05-12T11:49:00.002+12:002008-05-12T11:59:22.430+12:00

I thought I would write a blog on the journey of the cross and icon, even thought they left our shores a long time ago...When the cross and icon were here they had a huge impact on the thousands of people, young and old, who saw and touched it. The cross and icon served us in many ways. For some it bought enthusiasm for WYD. For others it gave an oppertunity to gather in out various communities.

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-39679817161267638342008-05-07T12:55:00.004+12:002008-05-07T13:10:31.994+12:00

Hey I saw something cool today...Apparantly Pope Benedict XVI, or B16 in txt language, is going to be txting pilgrims messages of hope and inspiration throughout the WYD week! I think its pretty cool that he is going to be keeping in touch with youth in a way that most of us are used to.This is a first for any WYD.So while the Pope is making an effort to keep in touch with us, we should make an

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-64802156683440949462008-04-24T09:46:00.002+12:002008-04-24T10:35:50.103+12:00

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

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-35202257162591324402008-04-20T20:25:00.004+12:002008-12-11T13:48:03.170+13:00

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

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-5731887518664682008-04-11T12:24:00.008+12:002008-12-11T13:48:04.439+13:00

Hey everyoneThe 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

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-88256695421351026632008-04-11T10:45:00.003+12:002008-04-11T11:08:26.199+12:00

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

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-5884349639676516802008-03-28T13:09:00.000+13:002008-03-28T13:10:52.392+13:00

Kia Ora, if you’ve been wondering where I’ve been because you haven’t heard from me in a while its that I have been so involved in the Holy Week and Easter liturgies for our Parish.So now that those celebrations are over, I can finally sit down and write to you.But no sooner have I begun writing, I realise that another huge celebration is looming very soon….I can remember when our diocese first

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-69684615993773270532008-03-20T13:06:00.000+13:002008-03-20T13:13:55.222+13:00

Hi all,Just as I posted that last one out, I just thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Easter. May our good Lord bless you all this Easter season and that the death and resurrection will bring a sense of renewal in body and spirit. For those who are travelling this weekend, I pray that you travel safely on your journeys. Try not to go too hard on the chocolate!Let us

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-76936650341091905242008-03-20T13:03:00.000+13:002008-03-20T13:06:17.167+13:00

March has been a month of many blessings – and not just because I celebrated my birthday earlier in the month, yay! - but because of many things, today I will share of the events of our Youth Rally ….March 1st – Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy Youth RallyThe theme was youth for Christ - and there was no doubt as we began at 7am marching through the streets of Newtown that we young people were making

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-77917766584362841532008-03-12T11:21:00.002+13:002008-03-12T12:25:39.691+13:00

This week two great milestones occurred.On March 10th, I and those around me celebrated the anniversary of my birth! I really was a beautiful baby... or so my mother tells me. It is probably fair to say that she didn't know me that well when she named me otherwise right now you could be reading the blog of a Mark or a Thomas? I hear even the name Engelbert was proffered (Yes... after Engelbert

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-68900932791751434242008-03-04T13:17:00.010+13:002008-12-11T13:48:04.932+13:00

We're all focusing on World Youth Day 2008 yeah? But did you know that National Children's Day has just passed? Yep! The first Sunday of March for the past 8 years has been designated National Children's Day. More than 1000 public events were held on Sunday (including one at my parish) to celebrate the gift that children are to the world."He took the children in his arms and put his hands on them

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-77336139238993762202008-02-28T19:15:00.002+13:002008-02-28T19:25:50.401+13:00

With July fast approaching, the WYD pilgrims from the Dunedin diocese are now getting very excited! We have students from St. Kevin's, Kavanagh College, St. Peter's, Verdon College and Otago University as well as other young people from the diocese now speaking to their schools and parishes about their excitement and plans for Sydney. Fundraising has been going well down here with individual

Dunedin WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05234598974309160651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-37638427526750058982008-02-28T17:54:00.004+13:002008-12-11T13:48:06.021+13:00

Hey everyone, I hope that all the preparations, material and spiritual, are going well.Something that really touched me a few months ago was finding out about the patron saints of WYD. We are all asking our families, friends and communities to help us out but we must remember that we have our friends in heaven to help us, pray for us and guide us too!!The patrons of WYD are some of the most

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-47263979760176198902008-02-27T14:28:00.001+13:002008-02-27T14:30:05.988+13:00

Hello everyone. Today was my first day back at University as a second year student. I moved into my flat on Wednesday last week and I have to admit it was slightly daunting settling back into again. I struggled for a bit with whether I was in the right place with my life and whether I was do the right thing before God. But after talking with a few important and special people I feel much more

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-29165217448613065562008-02-26T14:02:00.004+13:002008-12-11T13:48:06.180+13:00

Last night I went to the LIDO Cinema in Epsom to a movie fundraiser in support of pilgrims from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, Epsom. The film on show was “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The story revolves around two men, Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman), two men who met totally by chance as a result of illnesses suffered by the other.Both

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-2146910732222759842008-02-26T11:23:00.006+13:002008-12-11T13:48:07.080+13:00

(Von trapp family - haha! My Samoan Youth Group president Sapatu Sola with his followers) The Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy are hosting a Youth Rally!!! So if you in Wellington and not up to much THIS SATURDAY (1st March) come on down to the Ioane Vito Centre, Lawrence Street in Newtown. This event is for all young people who wish to celebrate being young and loving God! Come down and march

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-71539527854149920662008-02-25T15:51:00.006+13:002008-12-11T13:48:07.583+13:00

I love group meetings – I love my group. There is no reason why people shouldn’t love their groups, and with the amount of time you’ll be spending together and journeying together it is so important that we should enjoy each others company. My small group consists of a great mix of people, who I am proud to call more than just friends, but my family. We always make an effort to make meetings a

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-57865554300755335292008-02-18T14:51:00.003+13:002008-02-18T15:28:36.859+13:00

Having recently chosen, or rather been led, to my vocation, I thought it would be cool to write a blog on vocations...Over the summer holidays I proposed to my girlfriend Chelsea, and now she is my fiance. Choosing the path I felt God was leading me down was both an exciting and scary decision, but with prayer and the words "Do not be afraid" echoing in my heart, I decided to accept my

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-16042159844665532402008-02-18T10:15:00.009+13:002008-12-11T13:48:09.330+13:00

What a weekend!Your Ambassador has been busy... On Saturday I joined the pilgrims from the Parish of Otara and set off on foot to conquer Auckland! We walked the Auckland Coast to Coast walkway which begins in Onehunga on the Manukau harbour, winds its way up One Tree Hill, un-winds down and then finishes at the Viaduct on the Waitemata Harbour.The walk was organised so that these pilgrims get a

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-67618471378812868132008-02-17T18:40:00.001+13:002008-12-11T13:48:09.497+13:00

A Time For Everything… My granddad had a favourite prayer that he passed onto his grandchildren before he passed away a year ago. Every Sunday when we gather to pray the rosary we recite this prayer in our Samoan language since the day he gifted it to us – today it is a tribute to all that he stood for. My faith and my culture are the cornerstones of what makes me the person I am today, and I

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-310040802882970342008-02-11T16:35:00.000+13:002008-02-12T10:56:35.224+13:00

Kia Ora again. Well its not long to go... 154 days and counting!As part of our build up to WYD we've managed to pull in Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney to celebrate a special Youth Mass with us in St Patrick's Cathedral on Saturday 23rd February at 7pm.The Cardinal is in Auckland to celebrate the centenary of our Cathedral in its present layout. It was actually one of his

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-27759562100224208702008-02-08T17:16:00.000+13:002008-12-11T13:48:11.424+13:00

I am counting down!!! I am pumped for the year ahead and the blessings it will bring. How are you all going??? We wanna hear!!!! Drop us a line!!! :DWell me… What have I been up to? I have just got back from holidays. I spent some great time with family and friends and was busy as usual! There has been a lot going on over the summer that has enriched my faith and anticipation towards World Youth

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-86876864468214395492008-02-07T11:08:00.000+13:002008-02-07T11:36:53.580+13:00

I got my New Zealand WYD ACTIV8 folder the other day and in it was a letter from Bishop Barry (the Bishop of Christchurch), a letter from the NZ Catholics Bishops Conference, and a letter from the Pope himself!You should all soon be getting one of these folders, with the letters and perhaps other things in it.From Bishop Barry's letter and the letter from the NZCBC, something that really stood

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-10778638511786990752008-02-04T18:17:00.000+13:002008-02-04T18:20:36.311+13:00

The very first thought that Lent brings to mind is giving something up. In my childhood, the standard was to give up lollies and the like. The reward for this fastidious denial of one’s passions was the promise of mountains of chocolate Easter eggs!A few years ago a friend of mine told me that he had urged his children to try to give up something a bit more than lollies. One of his sons decides

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-2600688192044860172008-01-30T13:13:00.000+13:002008-01-30T13:43:03.017+13:00

Well... we have almost reached the end of the first month of 2008. For me it went uncomfortably fast!!Group meetings are becoming more frequent, and pastoral preparation sessions are starting to take off, which is great.This month I have been reflecting upon how sometimes in our lives we encounter setbacks and obstacles. These can be as simple as havng work when our WYD group is having a meeting,

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-83348630930785089752008-01-29T09:13:00.000+13:002008-01-29T09:26:12.665+13:00

Hey y'all... this is just a quick blog to invite you all to a FREE concert to raise awareness of the real struggles that people, especially young people can go through. The concert will be held at Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden, from 4pm to 8.30pm this Saturday (2nd Feb 08). This is also one of several diocesan events leading up to World Youth Day.How much can you pack into four hours? You name it,

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-20605030327762457182008-01-23T09:36:00.001+13:002008-01-23T10:03:35.017+13:00

Yesterday, NZ and the world farewelled Sir Edmund Hillary. I was privileged to have known Sir Ed personally. I grew up in Otara, South Auckland and eventually I attended Hillary College. As part of Sir Ed's commitment to the school that bore his name, he often visited the school. It was on one such occasion that I was fortunate to meet this mountain of a man. Since then I have kept in regular

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-44505782691985216952008-01-21T14:24:00.000+13:002008-01-21T14:36:44.461+13:00

Hey all. Hope your Christmas and New Years went well. wanted to share this little letter with you all. Father Fernando read it to us during midnight mass here in Piopio. Definitely gives you something to think about..Hello dear friend! Well, as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year, they had a really big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all they

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-38695841984550846412008-01-21T10:14:00.000+13:002008-01-21T11:05:24.384+13:00

Well, if those were the holidays, then I've had 'em! Yes its back to work! Do you know this is my first Summer holiday in over seven years... Why? you ask...As the Diocesan Coordinator for Youth Ministry we ran a Summer Camp for young people in our Diocese during January. Now that I am no longer with the Diocesan Youth Ministry I get to have January off! At first it felt a little weird and I was

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-71300333623740990262008-01-09T20:48:00.000+13:002008-01-09T20:57:52.177+13:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!The word new – fresh, original, novel, beginning, start, a chance to start again – has always capitulated me to the fear of the unknown. There will be challenges of preparation and the huge task of fundraising, conflicts of interest and overcoming differences, as well as many doubts and defying many odds. However, with God as the foundation source of all and his amazing gift of

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-32788438379084727122008-01-08T14:43:00.000+13:002008-01-08T14:44:15.018+13:00

As the Church’s New Year begins I have been reflecting on the Sunday readings, particularly the readings from the First Sunday in Advent. The readings focused on what was going to happen at the end of time. I thought to myself, “Why focus on the end at the beginning?”The more I thought about the end, the more I thought about the path towards it. Then the penny dropped! I guess we are given the

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-58367917209737196302007-12-17T13:26:00.000+13:002008-01-08T13:27:49.360+13:00

My wife, my daughter and I were out Christmas shopping yesterday afternoon. All the Malls have beautiful Christmas decorations. There is a hive of activity in the shops. The cash registers are ringing and everyone is buzzing.As we looked around, we were flabbergasted at the cost of the products on offer. Toys are ridiculously expensive. Retailers are reaping the profits on material goods that

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-81322530236350859782007-12-10T18:25:00.000+13:002008-01-08T13:26:50.143+13:00

Thank God its Monday!I don’t know about you but my weekends are pretty full on. Its starts off with Mass at 8am on Saturday then we clean the Church afterwards. On Saturday afternoons/evenings there’s always a function happening at Church or with family and friends. On Sunday we have two Masses one at 9am and the other at 11am. My wife and I are often doing something at either Mass so we usually

Auckland WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09649517950781563545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-14899753255582409332007-12-06T13:11:00.000+13:002008-01-08T10:39:34.289+13:00

Blog 6 12 07:Hey!!! The Christchurch Diocese had a great youth mass on Sunday evening, and afterwards the fifteen minutes of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament provided us all with an opportunity to stop and just adore Jesus. Hopefully we can all realise the importance of adoration and the enormous benefits and graces that God can give us when we stop our lives to spend time with him.Click here

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-31146348664542138062007-11-30T09:46:00.000+13:002008-01-08T13:18:12.414+13:00

Hello folksSorry it’s been so long! I hope all your preparations for World Youth Day next year are going well. I am a little out of touch with the preparations in Hamilton city now that I have come home to Piopio for the summer holidays so I will just fill you in a little on what I have been up to…A few months ago, I went into an evening mass at St Josephs in Te Kuiti and spoke to the Parish

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-33546437614862614312007-11-29T19:35:00.000+13:002008-01-08T10:36:22.927+13:00

As the campaign for Eucharistic adoration is about to be launched in Christchurch I thought that I would write a little something about it on this blog…Our Catholic faith tells us that the Eucharist we receive in the mass IS the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, both through the Church’s teaching and our own experience, that the host we receive is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-50567055249911510772007-11-15T22:32:00.000+13:002008-01-08T10:34:17.609+13:00

Well things have certainly started progressing with WYD preparations!! Registrations are completed, deposits are being paid, fundraising is in full flight and air beds are being ordered!!All this preparation is over and above our normal lives, which are already jam packed with full time work, part time work, school, university, and sports. Deeper still is our family lives where we are busy with

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-45315824903952263782007-10-17T05:54:00.000+13:002008-12-11T13:48:12.027+13:00

The World Youth Day Ball On August 25 approximately 120 people, gathered at the Masonic Hotel in Palmerston North for the World Youth Day Ball. The theme was Arabian Nights. As Dave put well – “You know it must be a Catholic event when it has an Arabian theme, held at the Masonic Hotel!” Entertainment included the live jazz band Thieves of Time, followed by belly dancers from the Donna Bliss

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-39484678707704090202007-10-08T15:08:00.000+13:002008-01-08T11:13:28.588+13:00

The All Blacks lost!! For me, that's all that really mattered in the past month, and getting past the grief of losing yet another World Cup campaign. No matter how meticulous their planning was they still suffered defeat to the French in the quarterfinals. On their return home there was a feeling of disappointment and sadness, but for many others there was also a sense of pride and hope. Now the

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-75631098111720476092007-08-01T18:21:00.000+12:002008-12-11T13:48:13.921+13:00

Take God away from the centre, and you will suffer disorderMoving through the end of July and the month of August, this beautiful quote personifies my journey over these past few months. What I have found, and learnt, is that ones journey or pilgrimage is not always easy or straight forward. There have been moments of stress, frustration, struggle, and conflicts of interest. Looking back in

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-52846354022471536402007-08-01T09:57:00.000+12:002008-12-11T13:48:14.655+13:00

The other ambassadors have really captured the experience of the hand over of the C and I in their blogs so check them out and read up!!! Here are a few of my photos of the amazing experience...

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-21794582041476647082007-07-31T23:11:00.000+12:002008-12-11T13:48:14.860+13:00

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

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-30746104596356158002007-07-24T23:44:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:45:26.089+13:00

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

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-43183296856840235942007-07-20T11:59:00.000+12:002008-01-08T10:31:59.492+13:00

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

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-87060119790091826492007-07-20T01:09:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:06:14.054+13:00

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

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-49059455550892713642007-06-28T06:10:00.000+12:002008-01-08T13:11:51.925+13:00

Hey everybodyToday is Thursday the 28th June and yesterday Hamilton handed the Cross and Icon over to the Auckland Diocese. We had an amazing time during the few days it was in our Diocese and it was quite sad to see it go! Journey in HamiltonWe received the Cross and Icon from Jane and the Palmerston North Diocese very early on Sunday morning in a beautiful little Marae in Wairoa. The Cross

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-73151427461311102832007-06-22T23:03:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:04:26.954+13:00

As we crowded in to the small hall down in Charleston for the handover of the Cross and Icon, we sang Father Chris Skinner's “Awesome God”. In the short week since we received these two great symbols of unity and hope, I have been able to witness our Awesome God in action throughout our Wellington Archdiocese.I will not attempt to outline our week's journey (see 'Cross and Icon' section of this

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-40322002754353917492007-05-29T18:29:00.000+12:002008-01-08T10:30:29.635+13:00

The Cross is COMING!! The Icon is COMING!!We all have crosses in our lives, and it is only in embracing those crosses that we can come to know Christ and ourselves in a deeper and fuller way.We are never going to have a life without crosses, so let’s embrace our sufferings and our problems, and unite them to Christ’s suffering and Christ’s Cross.And Mary, gift to all of us: never has it been

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-48151116941040206082007-05-29T11:08:00.000+12:002008-01-08T13:10:32.979+13:00

Hey everybody!!Hope your preparations for World Youth Day 2008 are going smoothly.I have been recently looking over the Australian and New Zealand WYD websites and found some curious facts that I’d like to share with you – some of them are rather amazing!! SYDNEY(2008): 1000 pilgrim groups have registered already, representing 65,000 pilgrims and the registration has only been open a little more

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-44822306503669739902007-05-29T11:02:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:03:22.447+13:00

My journey thus far has been extremely exciting and I am anxious for what lies ahead. New experiences and opportunities have been gifted upon me, and I am so grateful to have been given these chances to meet new people and open myself up to my own personal and spiritual journey. More so, I have been humbled and overawed by the excitement and passion that others have towards World Youth Day 2008.

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-49908799361166529162007-05-25T08:24:00.000+12:002008-12-11T13:48:15.582+13:00

WYD AUSTRALIAN THEME DINNER On the 28th of April an enthusiastic group of young people from North Taranaki parishes gathered together to serve up a Three Course Australian Themed Dinner for 140 guests in the hostel dining room at Francis Douglas Memorial College. This was all part of the fundraising effort for the World Youth Day trip and everybody that went really got into the Australian spirit.

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-49687686814137809692007-04-30T17:45:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:30:22.709+13:00

Come one, come all !!!!World Youth Day is for everyone. The young, the young at heart and the world and people they influence and will influence... so really, this is an invitation to all!Contribute however you can, whether it be through prayer or participation. Ask around and see if there is a troop in your local church or school that are getting involved or fundraising.It is going to be a primo

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-82147295777415938122007-04-28T10:26:00.000+12:002008-01-08T10:28:14.191+13:00

I really feel that the youth of New Zealand and Australia will receive a lot of Grace from God throughout the World Youth Day experience, as it will assist us all in establishing an even deeper relationship with Christ. I think that the impact of the visible Body of Christ gathering in Sydney will amaze both Christian and non-Christian Oceania. A lot of courage will be necessary from us all to

Christchurch WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12510091502618363062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-66311517033433943042007-04-15T15:05:00.000+12:002008-01-08T13:06:54.022+13:00

When I first heard about World Youth Day I was so blown away by the thought of so many Catholics being in the same place, at the same time, for the same reason, that I was determined to be a part of it. It is an incredible opportunity to be part of something this big which reaches and brings together so many different cultures from over the world. I am really looking forward to this aspect of

Hamilton WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17202041507181196579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-46412507311627713792007-04-08T11:01:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:01:46.369+13:00

I sat in church last night during choir practice and I couldn’t move. World Youth Day; Kiwi Ambassador for the Wellington Archdiocese…it occurred to me that I was still in a state of shock and amazement. But all the while, humbled and excited that this role was given to me. It all seemed like a dream. My mother knows me very well, as she leans forward in the pews and pinches me hard. I look

Wellington WYD Kiwi Ambassadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422315444368656434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681582961847381071.post-19675496533669576832007-04-04T11:28:00.000+12:002008-01-08T11:30:51.800+13:00

I am ecstatic to be chosen as Kiwi Ambassador from the Diocese of Palmerston North.Seeing other youth so passionate and excited about this experience has fueled me to want to get involved too! It is awesome to see so many people stepping out in faith and hope. This will be my first WYD. My sister attended the WYD in Rome 2000 and I have had a yearning to go ever since. So let’s journey together

Palmerston North WYD Kiwi Ambassadohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17504765464969013879noreply@blogger.com0