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 Humperdinck, my mothers idol!)
Instead she named me Manuel, deriving from the Hebrew Emmanuel "God is with us!".... Hmmm....
I remember my first job interview and I sat down in front of the person conducting the interview and he asks, "What's your name?"
In my breaking adolescent voice I reply "Manuel Beazley"
to which he continued, "When's your birthday?"
"March 10" I confidently respond.
"What year?" he asks.
"Every year..." I cheekily admit.
Sad to say, but I didn't get the job, but it wasn't too long before I was sitting before an employer being interviewed again.
Anyway enough about me... another birthday been and gone.
The other significant milestone is the payment deadline for the Travel and Administration component of the World Youth Day pilgrimage on March 11th.
Travelling the diocese and being a part of so many fundraising events I have accquired a deep respect for the leaders, parents and supporters of all the WYD pilgrims who have tirelessly sold cakes, sausages, prayer cards - you name it. They've washed cars; put up with loud music at fundraising socials; sold raffle tickets; walked the streets...etc.
They are the un-sung heroes of this WYD pilgrimage and I just want to take my hat off to you. You are all amazing and I know that when WYD is over, your work and efforts will begin to bear fruit for the Church and the kingdom of God.
Secondly, congratulations to group leaders who have put in a hell of an effort (can I say hell?? oh well) over the last 12 months. It is largely due to your commitment and leadership that this pilgrimage will be successful.
Speaking particulary to the group leaders of the Auckland diocese but in the same sense to group leaders throughout the country. The diocese is indeed very appreciative and grateful for all that you have done and all that is still expected of you. This has been a mammoth undertaking for us all and I personally have nothing but admiration for you.
May God continue to bless you...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Children's Day
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 and blessed them"
Mark 10:16.
If only we all could do the same - and just simply hug the children! I spoke at our Parish Masses on Sunday and encouraged all parents to hug their children - even the adult ones! and show them how much they love them.
Since being married, my wife Pata and I have adopted my sister's daughter. It is somewhat of a Maori custom for the oldest sibling to adopt and raise a siblings child. By doing this the mana (dignity) of our adopted child increases because now she has two sets of parents who will love her.
Most of you will know her. She and my wife are never too far from my side, either at events or meetings. Her name is Paris. She is adorable. Honestly, she is the best kid in the world. She has never given us any trouble and so loving her is a joy and not a chore.
Here's "Fairy" Paris at the Onehunga Youth "Fairytale" Ball 
... and here's me and Pata at the same Ball!
Loving children should never be a chore. If you are blessed with children, love them and protect them. Make every day 'children's day' and give your children the most precious thing you have - your time.
Please pray for all the children of the world and all those yet to be born. Through our prayers and love may they never leave the arms of Jesus who will ensure their safety and love them into the fullness of life.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wow! It is 'all go' in the deep South!
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 work as well as school, parish, cultural groups and diocese-wide fundraising. I have been delighted to get e-mails from people wishing me well and all of the pilgrims from the dunedin diocese. Thank you!
As I'm a teacher at Kavanagh College, over the next few weeks I will be getting some of my students who are going to WYD to add to this blog site. Please read their blogs as well as mine and send us a message.
LIVE FULLY...BE CONNECTED!
As I'm a teacher at Kavanagh College, over the next few weeks I will be getting some of my students who are going to WYD to add to this blog site. Please read their blogs as well as mine and send us a message.
LIVE FULLY...BE CONNECTED!
Our patrons
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 amazing and inspiring lives led over the last couple of hundred years, and are so valuable as a source of intercession and information. What is awesome is that these people are probably praying for us as we speak!!
St Therese of Liseux (a personal favourite) was a Carmelite nun in the late 1800's and lived a life completely full of love for Jesus, St Faustina was a Polish Sister of Mercy and was tod by Christ the message of Divine Mercy, St Maria Goretti was a young Italian martyr who died in order to protect her virginity from rape, St Peter Chanel was a French missonary priest martyred in the Pacific, Blessed Peter To Rot was a married Papua New Guinean who was Martyred in a Japanese concentration camp, Blessed Mary Mackillop was an Australian Sister who started the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frasatti (another personal favourite) was a young Italian man who gave his life to God and the poor, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta one of the most inspiring women of the 20th Century, who started the Missionaries of Charity, Servant of God John Paul II, the most inspiring man of the 20th and 21st Centuries, our former Pope and the founder of WYD's, and last but certainly not least Our Lady of the Southern Cross.
You should ALL read about these saints more, it WILL change your lives and lead you futher towards Christ and make your journey towards WYD more special...
Check out http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/about_wyd08/wyd08_patrons
Blessed Mother Theresa
Blessed Peter To Rot
Blessed Pier Giorgio
Servant of God Pope John Paul II
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 amazing and inspiring lives led over the last couple of hundred years, and are so valuable as a source of intercession and information. What is awesome is that these people are probably praying for us as we speak!!
St Therese of Liseux (a personal favourite) was a Carmelite nun in the late 1800's and lived a life completely full of love for Jesus, St Faustina was a Polish Sister of Mercy and was tod by Christ the message of Divine Mercy, St Maria Goretti was a young Italian martyr who died in order to protect her virginity from rape, St Peter Chanel was a French missonary priest martyred in the Pacific, Blessed Peter To Rot was a married Papua New Guinean who was Martyred in a Japanese concentration camp, Blessed Mary Mackillop was an Australian Sister who started the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frasatti (another personal favourite) was a young Italian man who gave his life to God and the poor, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta one of the most inspiring women of the 20th Century, who started the Missionaries of Charity, Servant of God John Paul II, the most inspiring man of the 20th and 21st Centuries, our former Pope and the founder of WYD's, and last but certainly not least Our Lady of the Southern Cross.
You should ALL read about these saints more, it WILL change your lives and lead you futher towards Christ and make your journey towards WYD more special...
Check out http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/about_wyd08/wyd08_patrons
Blessed Mother Theresa
Blessed Peter To Rot
Blessed Pier Giorgio
Servant of God Pope John Paul II
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Lent thoughts
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 at peace. That is what I would like to talk about in this blog. I feel better and at peace with my life now because I was reassured about God’s ultimate control and master plan. We do not need to worry so much because God already has a plan for each and every one of us. The best we can do is listen and follow His almighty guidance. “I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
During your World Youth Day preparations this month and this Lent season, I would just like to encourage you to listen to God for guidance and peace of mind, because He simply knows better than we do.
God Bless, and good luck,
Sarah
NB. I would also like to mention that I made a World Youth Day bebo page. Check it out at: http://www.bebo.com/WYDSYDNEY2008 If nothing else it is incredible to see the number of people adding themselves as friends. I have also found it amazing to talk to them individually because they all come from different countries and have different stories to tell about their journeys’ so far.
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 at peace. That is what I would like to talk about in this blog. I feel better and at peace with my life now because I was reassured about God’s ultimate control and master plan. We do not need to worry so much because God already has a plan for each and every one of us. The best we can do is listen and follow His almighty guidance. “I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
During your World Youth Day preparations this month and this Lent season, I would just like to encourage you to listen to God for guidance and peace of mind, because He simply knows better than we do.
God Bless, and good luck,
Sarah
NB. I would also like to mention that I made a World Youth Day bebo page. Check it out at: http://www.bebo.com/WYDSYDNEY2008 If nothing else it is incredible to see the number of people adding themselves as friends. I have also found it amazing to talk to them individually because they all come from different countries and have different stories to tell about their journeys’ so far.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Bucket List
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 men are diagnosed with terminal conditions and only have months to live. After coming to terms with their situation, the pair draw up a “Bucket List, a list of things that they would like to do before they both “kick the bucket”
The list included daredevil antics like sky diving and also the more abstract, such as “gazing upon something majestic”. The film labours through to the inevitable, Carter dies first and then at age 81 Edward Cole dies as well. In fulfilling their bucket list, the pair find out a lot about themselves and in a strange way about the faith (and lack thereof) that they possess.
Which brings me to today’s blog. The message which came through loud and clear for me was to live life fully! Part of the motto for the WYD NZ project is “Live Fully….Be Connected” Carter and Cole ‘connected’, mutually invigorating life for the other. Why wait till we’re told that our years are now months for us to start living”
Jesus came so that we may have “life to the full” (John 10:10). The fullness of life is so fundamentally dependant on the quality of our connectedness; to God; to creation and to each other. Carter and Cole eventually found the fullness of life – to love and to be loved but it took them their whole lives to find that out.
Both men are diagnosed with terminal conditions and only have months to live. After coming to terms with their situation, the pair draw up a “Bucket List, a list of things that they would like to do before they both “kick the bucket”
The list included daredevil antics like sky diving and also the more abstract, such as “gazing upon something majestic”. The film labours through to the inevitable, Carter dies first and then at age 81 Edward Cole dies as well. In fulfilling their bucket list, the pair find out a lot about themselves and in a strange way about the faith (and lack thereof) that they possess.
Which brings me to today’s blog. The message which came through loud and clear for me was to live life fully! Part of the motto for the WYD NZ project is “Live Fully….Be Connected” Carter and Cole ‘connected’, mutually invigorating life for the other. Why wait till we’re told that our years are now months for us to start living”
Jesus came so that we may have “life to the full” (John 10:10). The fullness of life is so fundamentally dependant on the quality of our connectedness; to God; to creation and to each other. Carter and Cole eventually found the fullness of life – to love and to be loved but it took them their whole lives to find that out.
The Kaitaia Milk truck has a bumper sticker that says, “Those who seek God at the eleventh hour run the risk of dying at 10.30!” Don’t leave it too late. Write your bucket list and get to it!
"His Eminince meets me for the second time!"Youth 4 Christ - Samoan Chap holds youth rally!
(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 through the streets of Newtown (leaving from St Anne's Church @ 7:00 am - woohoo!), celebrate eucharist with Archbishop John Dew @ 9:00 - and then... drum roll please... Keynote speaker - the right honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand! WOW!
The day will be filled with items from each of the 13 Samoan youth groups as they share on the theme of the day, entertainment from barbershop groups and opera singers, and just getting everyone excited for WYD2008 and beyond.
So come on down, you are all welcome - oh, and bring your lunch!
See you there!
The right honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of N.Z
admiring the Icon during JCI in Wellington with
Archbishop John Dew
The right honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of N.Z
admiring the Icon during JCI in Wellington with
Archbishop John Dew
We'll see you on Saturday!! :P
Monday, February 25, 2008
I heart group meetings
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 fun event – casual sharing, making sure all views are heard, and laughing like hyenas at times. 
So this blog is a tribute to my group – but more so is a reminder that this journey is allowing me to see God in the most unlikely places and faces. At our most recent group meeting we opted for a different venue and had a bbq on the beach. How fortunate we were to share our meeting with the wonders of God’s creation as the sun shone down and smell the ocean.
Let me know how your group meetings are going and if I hear of any cool creative meeting ideas I’ll post it on your behalf – because our journey is more than just fundraising and logistics; it’s about having fun and sharing the love that God shows through his people!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Your vocation - Your calling
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 vocation.
For so many of us fear can rule our decisions, but Christ is constantly saying to us "Do not be afraid..."
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 vocation.
For so many of us fear can rule our decisions, but Christ is constantly saying to us "Do not be afraid..."
"If Jesus calls you, do not be afraid to respond to him with generosity. Do not be afraid; trust in him and you will not be disappointed."
Pope Benedict XVI
WYD 2006 message to youth
The call of the Lord Jesus still resounds today: “If any one serves me, he must follow me” (Jn 12:26). Do not be afraid to accept this call.
Pope John Paul II
2003 World Day of Prayer for vocations
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Matthew 17
World Youth Day is planning a massive Vocations Expo, where we will be able to see a wide range of vocations that the Church offers, and in an environment of faith, hope and love perhaps we will choose to discern a particular vocation we feel God is calling us into. After all the word vocation means literally "calling".
In order to prepare, do some research of your own first. There are some fantastic websites that perhaps you will enjoy and some fantastic videos on youtube that will inspire you.
A comprehensive Catholic vocations site...
A two part vocations video, Fishers of Men, which is very inspiring
So don't wait for WYD, get prepared so that the vocations expo will be even more valuable to you!!
Mr. Ambassador
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 better idea of the great pilgrim walk towards Randwick racecourse on Satuday19th July. And so, bring it on in Sydney!
Whilst on the slopes of One Tree Hill the intrepid wanderers sent a message to Pope Benedict XVI assuring a warm welcome to him from the youth of Otara! Check it out:
Made from igneous rocks and visible fr0m the moon, the message says: "EAGLES (the name of their youth group) OTARA LOVES B16 (Pope Benedict 16) - Cool Aye?
And you think after all that, I could rest... nope it was more meeting people and cuddling babies and Ambassador stuff like that....
If you would like me to attend your events and fundraisers, I am good at almost everything! Just give me a buzz and let me know if I can be of assistance.
Well, until next week my dear friends... look out I may show up at your place soon!
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 better idea of the great pilgrim walk towards Randwick racecourse on Satuday19th July. And so, bring it on in Sydney!
Whilst on the slopes of One Tree Hill the intrepid wanderers sent a message to Pope Benedict XVI assuring a warm welcome to him from the youth of Otara! Check it out:
Made from igneous rocks and visible fr0m the moon, the message says: "EAGLES (the name of their youth group) OTARA LOVES B16 (Pope Benedict 16) - Cool Aye? 
Yesterday I was at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption Onehunga to lend my limited cooking expertise at a breakfast fundraiser . A 1st Class breakfast was on offer for parishioners after each of the Sunday Masses. The young people of the parish worked hard to ensure the plates flew from the kitchen to the tables.
Congratulations to the young people of Our Lady of the Assumption who by their fundraising thermometer have raised a whopping $30,000.00!
And you think after all that, I could rest... nope it was more meeting people and cuddling babies and Ambassador stuff like that....
...oh and in between all of that I got to watch the rugby... go the Blues!
If you would like me to attend your events and fundraisers, I am good at almost everything! Just give me a buzz and let me know if I can be of assistance.
Well, until next week my dear friends... look out I may show up at your place soon!
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