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.

JCI in Hamilton

Hey everybody

Today 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 Hamilton
We 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 then travelled back to Gisborne where it was processed from St Mary's primary school to Campion College .

It spent the morning there before we took it to Mt Maunganui that afternoon. We meet Bishop Denis here and were welcomed by a powhiri at the Mt Maunganui parish before a service and veneration during the evening. At about 8pm Sunday evening a group of pilgrims (60-70 people) processed the Cross up the actual Mount, in Tauranga. We had a beautiful service on the top of the hill, with prayers and songs, and plenty of photos as well! The Cross was then taken and set up to spend the night at St Mary's Tauranga. This was our biggest day – a little over 24 hours awake in total for some!

On Monday morning the team slept in (!) and completely missed the service at St Mary's. But we did make it to the walk to St Mary's Primary School. Bishop Denis spoke really well to the children here and afterwards they were given an opportunity to touch the Cross and some were able to sign the New Zealand log book. The Cross and Icon then moved to Aquinas College in Tauranga where we were welcomed by a beautiful choir of students from the College followed by a service and veneration. We left Tauranga for Rotorua about midday to arrive at John Paul College , Rotorua, back on schedule.

The Cross spent the night in Rotorua, and after an early morning service on Tuesday it was taken to St John's College in Hamilton . The Cross visited Sacred Heart after St John's then moved down to the Cathedral. At midday a large crowd gathered to take part in the journey of the Cross and Icon down the main street of Hamilton . Estimated numbers were between 1,500 and 2,000 people!! It was a beautiful afternoon and a lovely environment to be praising and expressing our love for our God. There was an all night vigil that evening of which I took part in the 12-1am shift. This was a really beautiful time; there were candles out around the Cathedral and it was very quiet, but I did not feel lonely at all in the large building. The Cross had an amazing presence about it and was very comforting to be around. On Wednesday morning we took the Cross to Auckland to hand over to their Diocese in Otara.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the past week or so and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the people involved who made it happen so peacefully. The part of the journey I enjoyed the most was simply making contact with so many other proud Catholics willing to stand up and profess their faith for the God they love. By Wednesday morning there was a strong feeling of unity throughout the entire group which had grown as the group travelled. There were bonds formed within the group, which will never be broken.

I hope that the pilgrims involved will be able to draw strength from these bonds to further live their lives for the Glory of our God.

Thanks again,
God Bless,
- Sarah

The JCI Journey

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 site), however what was more powerful for me was the undeniable sense of community that I saw, the love that people young and old have for God, and the faith in our young people.
There are so many highlights and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life, and as I moved through the crowds at particular events and discussed with young people the affect the Cross and Icon have had on them, I came to a greater understanding that indeed we do have an 'Awesome God'.

Personally, I would just like to take this opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge those who helped me on this leg of the journey. To Archbishop John Dew, for his amazing sense of vision for the young people of our church, and his humility and strength in making his vision come to life. Chris Duthie-Jung and Dave Mullin, for being the best bouncers in the region! The W.Y.D Wellington Archdiocese Committee – who put so much time and effort into this first stage of the journey. To my family for making an effort to come to every event – your support never goes unnoticed or unappreciated. To the young people and communities of the Wellington Archdiocese, for experiencing the journey together.

My special thanks and praise to the Chairperson of the W.Y.D Wellington Archdiocese Committee, and Youth Advisor in the Catholic Centre – Rebekah Prescott. For me, she was the backbone to our journey with the Cross and Icon, and I would not have been able to experience it the same with anybody else. A woman of true character, strength, and faith – and I am so grateful to her for the guidance and assistance she gave me during the journey.

So, next week is the big handover to Sydney – saddened by the fact that it is leaving our shores shortly, but if the Wellington region is any example, then we should only be thankful for all the good that these symbols have done for our communities and our Church.

God Bless, Soifua ona o Iesu Keriso!

The Cross is COMING!! The Icon is COMING!!

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 known that anyone who has fled to her protection, asked for her help, or sort her intercession, was left without help.

The Icon of Mary is a perfect companion to the cross, so let’s ask Holy Mary, Mother of God, to help us carry our crosses.Take the opportunity to think about the Cross and icon, and realise that we NEED Christ and Mary in our lives. Then go and SEE and TOUCH the Cross and Icon with your hands, and let them touch your hearts

Freaky Facts

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 than 50 days (released on the 28th April).
• This works out at 23,000 pilgrims from the US 15,484 from Australia and significant numbers registered from Canada, Germany and the Philippines
  NOTE: these statistics will have changed already by now..

COLOGNE(2005):

• 1.2 million people attended the Final Mass
• Pilgrims came from 197 different countries
• The oldest applicant was an 82 year old woman from Cologne
• Around 420 litres of Communion wine was consumed over the week
• 2.8 million hosts were received for all liturgies.
• There were12,000 mobile toilets and urinals in total,
• 5,000 tonne of food
• 6 million meals
• 3,000 kilos of coffee
• 1 million sets of compostable cutlery
• 900,000 bread rolls per day and
• a WYD radio channel with live stream on the Internet.

Incredible aye!! I especially like the ‘1 million sets of compostable cutlery’!!!
Just shows again how big this is going to be…

Ok that’s all for now, good luck and God Bless

- Sarah

My journey thus far

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. I believe that this is the true essence and work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has the power to do great things. In my journey thus far a sense of community has become apparent. As many of you may begin your fundraising, group gatherings, parish meetings, or the like – you too may have witnessed the Holy Spirit working amongst you. WYD 2008 is doing more than bringing together the youth; but also families, parishes, and communities – and this is so moving to witness.

The Cross and Icon reach our shores shortly, and to me they are an accumulation of the journey that we are on at present as pilgrims. I encourage you all to make sure you take the time to attend an event, and go witness the Cross and Icon in your town. Become familiar with the schedules of the events in your community, and get ready to share with them and your fellow young people the excitement and passion of World Youth Day.

Get connected, witness the power of the Holy Spirit, and enjoy your journey!

God Bless,
Soifua ona o Iesu Keriso.

Check out the Naki getting into the Aussie spirit!

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. The Inglewood parish transformed the hall for the evening into something out of a Banjo Patterson poem. Even the menu had an Australian flavour, and guests were serenaded throughout the night with the smooth sounds of a didgeridoo.

Scott Corboy, Thomas Dravitzki, and Ben Schaare organised an Australian Quiz which was participated in with good humour, by the diners, and kept everybody on their mental tiptoes. There were allegations of match fixing however, as in a controversial outcome, a Melbourner took out the event. Other entertainment on the night included a live didgeridoo performance and a storyteller, The Black Crow, entertained the guests with her tales of the “Dream Time.”
As a fitting end to a stellar evening, all the guests were invited to stand and join in the singing of the “Australian National Anthem” – Waltzing Matilda.

The dinner was catered for by the St. John Bosco Fundraising Group and to pay for the spread, guests were simply asked to make a donation. We were thrilled to raise almost $1500 from the evening. This is a superb start to our fundraising efforts.

Thanks must be given to all the people who organized food and the hall behind the scenes, to the “waiters and waitresses” who worked hard all night, and to the guests for having such good senses of humour and such generosity.

We hope to see you all at our next fundraiser...

Jane