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A Letter To My Parish

15 Jun

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Dear Parish:

In a few weeks I will bid adieu to you all and embark on the greatest adventure of my life so far as I travel to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for my second World Youth Day. As a result of all your kind donations and support I was able to go to WYD Madrid in 2011 and it was such an important event in my life. It changed the way I looked at everything and was a vital catalyst for my journey into adulthood. My time in Rio will however be very different to that which I spent in Madrid. Instead of attending as a pilgrim, witnessing all the central acts such as catechesis, stations of the cross, lots and lots and lots of masses and pope stalking; I will be reporting on everything that is happening during WYD week, broadcasting it to the catholic world. This means that my days will be very intense but even more so, rewarding.

Since October I have been quietly working for the World Youth Day organisation translating news from Portuguese to English and then passing these translations on to the rest of the world. On top of this I’ve been running the official WYD Facebook and Twitter accounts which have nearly 900,000 followers. I have been doing all this along with a very small English speaking team from around the world. Over the last few months I’ve developed a close friendship with these people and I am really looking forward to working with them during the events in Rio. I’m sure that we will continue to be close friends even after the event has passed.

Without bragging, two of the people I work with passed my name onto the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and I have received accreditation to report on behalf of them whilst in Rio. Once WYD is over I am spending a little bit more time travelling round Brazil cherishing every moment I get over there and hopefully will get a little time to explore Rio once all the tourists are gone. After this I will return back to England but spend the rest of my summer up in the Lake District performing a somewhat similar job for an event called WYDFest (World Youth Day Festival) which is being run by the Diocese of Salford and the Diocese of Lancaster. This event is for all young people who weren’t able to attend Rio and I will be spending my time working with a lot of close friends from Madrid.

Every second of this fantastic summer wouldn’t in any way be possible without your support and prayers and I want to thank you for every penny you contributed to my initial WYD trip. Not only did it help me enjoy a wonderful experience but it dramatically developed me as a person and I count myself as an incredibly lucky person to be a part of the parish of Sacred Heart and St Francis. You’re all awesome!

As Rio gets closer I hope to set up a way for you to track the events in Rio through a personal video log. However please make sure you like ‘World Youth Day’ on Facebook and follow @WYD_en on Twitter.See you soon,

Alex

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Volunteering for UKpilgrims and Rio2013

10 Jun

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Hi, My name is Paula and together with Jo-Anne, I am helping to organise the UKPilgrims group to World Youth Day Rio2013.

I am also working as an International Volunteer for Rio2013, helping with the day to day running of the official twitter account @wyd_en, with other 2 international volunteers – one of them is from the North of England and the other one from the USA. I have been involved in doing this job more or less since September last year and it entails twitting for this account on a 24/7 basis. One of the things I love most about this work is the opportunity to belong to a truly international team, being in contact with pilgrims from all over the world and reflecting on the daily Gospel readings.

Having the opportunity to do this volunteering work is amazing, I love my Catholic faith and since I went to Madrid in 2011, my life has been transformed and revitalised. Madrid has given me confidence in my faith and the gift to live life to the full in real time.

During my time in Madrid I acted as a Communications Officer for the Bishops Conference of England and Wales. This meant blogging my Madrid experience on the ukpilgrims.com website, tweeting and posting on Facebook. Apart from getting access to the media centre and press passes to some of the press boxes – which was awesome – it was also a great opportunity to absorb the WYD experience at a deeper level. By writing about all the different happenings after a WYD day, it gave me the opportunity to review every detail of what had happened during those extraordinary days.

It was during this time that I met Jo-Anne and James, and we decided this event was too amazing to keep to ourselves; we had to do something and so the idea was born for a WYD book. We gathered testimonies from different pilgrims that we met along the way and asked for their stories. Finally last month we released the book – World Youth Day: Inspiring Generations in two different versions: an ebook full version available worldwide through Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Youth-Day-Generations-ebook/dp/B00C0GBAMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370900484&sr=8-1&keywords=inspiring+generations) and a CTS booklet with a shorter selection of testimonies (http://www.ctsbooks.org/world-youth-day-inspiring-generations). Not one testimony is the same as another – we all go to WYD together but we all have different journeys of faith.

It may sound crazy but one of the reasons why I am volunteering to organise the UKPilgrim Communications Officers group is because of a particular occurrence in Madrid when a friend – John – and I made our way to the Way of the Cross via the Parque del Retiro. We had a Union Jack flag with us and along our journey we were stopped several times by individuals or groups of pilgrims who wanted to chat with us. It was then that I realised that UK pilgrims have so much to give to the universal life of the Church and no matter how small or insignificant the number of UK pilgrims when compared to other nations, it is still an essential part of the body of Christ – and his Church. In other words World Youth Day would not be complete without pilgrims from the UK.

Last year, I spent some time visiting different events for young Catholics in the UK. It is clear to me that this country has great potential in its hands – the young Catholics in this country have a deep faith rooted in Christ. My job as a coordinator for UK pilgrims is to serve these young people so they can experience World Youth Day to the full. Jo and I are both using our experience in Madrid to make the most of Rio for UK pilgrims. We hope that we can give them the confidence to get out there: tweet, Facebook and blog so others may know UK pilgrims are going to attend World Youth Day and that they will make this experience their own.

World Youth Day in Rio2013 from 23rd-28th July.

You can follow UKpilgrims on
Blog: ukpilgrims.com
Twitter: @ukpilgrims and
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukpilgrims

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Book Feature – by the Catholic Church in England and Wales

10 May

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This is WORLD YOUTH DAY: INSPIRING GENERATIONS Book Feature

A sample of the book can be found on Amazon

Enjoy!

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The Catholic Church in England and Wales features World Youth Day Rio2013

10 May

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Today World Youth Day Rio2013 features in the webpage of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

World Youth Day is the first one of three mega events offered by Rio de Janeiro – ahead of the football World Cup and the Olympics. It will also be the first foreign trip taken by Pope Francis. Millions of people are expected to attend.

For more information please click in the link below.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales features World Youth Day Rio2013

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POPE FRANCIS FIRST ANGELUS BY Alex Smith

19 Mar

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When I first heard about the resignation of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI I was half awake after having a lie in on my day off university. My flatmate had been ringing me all morning, which I presumed was just to wake me up. Next thing I get a text message saying ‘The Pope has quit his job’ and as you can imagine I was immediately awake but suspicious that it was a ploy to get me out of bed; I soon found that this wasn’t the case. Of course my initial reaction was along the lines of ‘Can he do that?’ and moreover questioning why he had done it and what it meant. But then I thought about it some more. I soon came to the conclusion that the last two Popes had taught us two very good and important lessons. The first had taught us that it is fine to be seen to struggle in the face of adversity, it’s fine to carry on in the face of trouble. The other taught us that it is also okay to let go and let somebody else carry on with what you feel you are no longer capable of doing. Two great men who have taught us all lessons which we can all interpret in our own ways depending on our lives.

Once I had heard the news I was immediately looking at flying over to Rome and being in Rome for when the next Pope would be elected and as soon as the dates for conclave were announced I booked my flights to Rome. I had booked the earliest available flights which were Thursday and as I now know this was a day too late to be there for the announcement however I still am ready now, 4 hours before I am set to travel to the airport to go and experience the now electric atmosphere I will be greeted by in Rome.

Looking however at the man who has been elected to be our new Holy Father I can safely say I am full of every bit of confidence that he will lead the church in the direction of God’s will. His entrance onto the balcony said to me something about himself, clearly still in some state of shock about what had happened over the past 24 hours he gracefully walked onto the balcony ready to greet the world. A few waves and several moments of taking in the spectacle in front of him; his words perfectly saying what the church had been longing to hear since Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI had stepped down. The thing that struck me the most was his beautiful understanding of humility; hearing the words “first I ask a favour of you: before [I bless you], I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me” A man who has been chosen by God, given a powerful role, still asking for help, WOW!. These words really struck me deep in my heart and I am filled with so much admiration for him even though I have only really known of him for a few short hours.

After debating with myself for a few moments I concluded that he had named himself after St Francis of Assisi, he couldn’t not have chosen St Francis of Assisi given the lifestyle he has chosen to live in the past and also through the message that he has given us. I am elated that he chose the name ‘Francis’ for a number of reasons, firstly because I come from the parish of Sacred Heart and St Francis. Secondly knowing who St Francis was it gives me a true reflection of the message I anticipate him to spread throughout his papacy. St Francis was a man who had everything and lived what we would call nowadays the ‘playboy’ lifestyle and yet everything that he had, didn’t give him the satisfaction that he needed. There was a God shaped hole in his life and none of the money, fine clothes, partying and promiscuity could fill that. When St Francis turned to God he gave every part of himself to God and lived from then on a life of humility and complete devotion. I notice that a lot of the youth culture nowadays is centred around the same ideology that St Francis used to have and it is there for the same reason. Perhaps Pope Francis wants us to realise this and that the only way we can fill that God shaped hole is by turning ourselves towards God. We don’t have to give up every part of our previous life and replace everything with God but rather include him in what we say, do and think. If this is the message that Pope Francis is going to bring about then I think it is the perfect message and I couldn’t think of anything better.

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WORLD YOUTH DAY ENGLISH ANTHEM

22 Feb

OUR OWN BRITISH BAND, OOBERFUSE SINGING THE OFFICIAL WORLD YOUTH DAY SONG IN ENGLISH. GREAT FOOTAGE FROM LONDON AND RIO DE JANEIRO.

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WESTMINSTER PILGRIM: ‘THE POPE BLESSED US ALL’

22 Feb

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The Mass celebrated by the Holy Father was a beautiful and holy event. We watched the Mass on big screens from the Piazza and followed the celebration along in our booklet, as it was in Latin. This kept us focused, as having the service said in Latin was quite different to what some of us experience every week at our parishes. Near the end, the clergy came outside and distributed Holy Communion to the young people. Then, it was time for the Pope to come out. A young man from East London was the spokesperson for the youth and told the Pope how grateful we were for his presence. Subsequently, the Pope blessed us all and spoke about the importance role of young people in the Church. It was incredible to see him in person after planning for the visit and hearing about him for so long!

At about 3pm we lined up to enter the sectioned off part of Hyde Park that was being used for the Pope’s Vigil. It was a long wait and we entertained ourselves by singing and doing the Mexican wave in the queue. After watching the Pope’s progress in the Popemobile on the big screens, he finally arrived at Hyde Park to rapturous applause, driving around the VIP area where we young people were assembled. The Pope is a charismatic speaker, so his exhortation was very well received. The Vigil was a moving occasion, with a solemn feel during the veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. By the end of the evening, the atmosphere was both sacred and joyful, with singing and chanting. I felt a strong sense of faith and I feel honoured that I was involved in the day. It was a once in a lifetime chance to take part and see the Pope.

Diana Grant-Davie, Sacred Heart Parish in Mill Hill

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Westminster Pilgrim: Remembering Pope Benedict XVI in the Hyde Park Vigil

22 Feb

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The secular media was filled with stories that the Pope’s visit did not provoke the riots that they had previously threatened. Pope Benedict XVI came to England and utterly disarmed so many of his opponents by the quiet way in which he went about his business of proclaiming truth.

I have seen this all before. The secular and atheist society promised mass protests at the Sydney World Youth Day in 2008, only to be met by a wave of joyful pilgrims following their loving shepherd. In London, just as in Sydney the response was overwhelming positive.

It was a special privilege for me to represent the Latin Mass Society in the procession at the Hyde Park vigil and to walk under the banner of Our Lady of Walsingham. I pray that we as the Mystical Body of Christ, will respond to the Holy Father’s call to be faithful witnesses to Christ’s Gospel.

I pray that our suffering country will be converted and returned to Christ and Our Lady. Habemus Papam!

Paul Smeaton

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POPE B16 RESIGNATION AND YOUNG CATHOLICS IN UK

13 Feb

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On Monday morning I looked at my iPhone and saw a message which read: ‘Have you seen the news? The Pope has resigned!’
In a split second I thought: not another one of those pranks! However I looked again, as the sender was a close friend of mine who simply would not do such a thing. At that very moment my phone rang – another friend confirming the breaking news. Immediately I got back onto my phone and flicked through my twitter account… everything I could read in my timeline was saying Pope Benedict has resigned, Pope Benedict has resigned, Pope Benedict has resigned.
My first reaction was of shock and utter disbelief.
Why is he resigning? Can he do this? These were pressing questions…Where do I begin? Looking back I understand my ignorance of Canon Law did not help but to be honest, this is probably something Catholics are not taught about in great detail at school. Also, I have only experienced two Pontificates and JP2 stayed in office until the end, so naturally my first expectation was that the job of a Pope is until death.
As the day unfolded, I came to understand the resignation of a Pope is not only part of Canon Law but also a norm promulgated by Pope JP2 in 1996 recognising that a vacancy to the office of the Bishop of Rome, i.e. the Pope, can occur as a result of death or a valid resignation. This at least put that matter to rest.
Many other questions were asked but soon my mood changed to thinking about the Pope’s amazing Pontificate of just 8 years. Many have called him a transitional Pope and even he has described himself as a small Pope, but the truth is that for those who remember the Papal visit to the UK in 2010, he is no small or transitional Pope, on the contrary, he is more like THE ROCK. Pope Benedict’s visit to the UK was a very important moment for Catholics in the UK, especially for the young people of the church.
Particularly for me, Hyde Park was a turning point. I remember vividly when the Pope said: ‘The Lord be with you’ and we all exploded: ‘and also with you’. Yes indeed, we were saying the words we say every single Sunday but *to the Pope*. If this was really what being ‘in communion’ felt like, then communion was indeed very good.
Later during the Homily, listening to his words I remember thinking that this was something special: his words resonated as being so immensely profound, relevant and clear. It was like opening a little window in the corner of my life and letting in a flood of light as in his words there was so much teaching. It truly was an experience of enlightenment which awakened my desire to get closer to God and to learn more about my faith and my church.
Towards the end of the Vigil the Pope invited us to attend World Youth Day in Madrid, an invitation accepted by myself and some 3000 other British pilgrims. This was an unprecedented numbers of young British people attending a World Youth Day event.
We left London in the middle of the riots and arrived in Madrid’s scorching summer heat where we joined 2 million others. Pope Benedict was again impeccable with his words, his teaching, wisdom and a gentleness like a loving father. I will never forget the storm and lightning we shared in the Vigil at Cuatro Vientos, which was a near biblical experience. Pope Benedict stayed put with us, like a German Shepherd, and we all got soaking wet.
B16 has undoubtedly been a tremendous gift to young people in the UK. His visit to our country and later WYD Madrid has restored the confidence in our faith. He has taught us to be true to our values amidst the increasing secularisation around us. He has always encouraged us to experience Jesus Christ like a friend through prayer but also through service to others. He has shown us the direction of how to live our faith and now, as he leaves his pontificate and reverts to being Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he shows a great testimony of humility and an example of detachment from earthly titles, teaching us that the role of a Pope is not the role of a king but that of a servant.
Coincidentally, I was thinking recently how different could Rio2013 be to Madrid2011 since it is only one World Youth Day after the other? Well now we know it will be a very different event with nothing less than a new Pope.
We will dearly miss Pope Benedict in Rio de Janeiro but we trust in the decision that he has taken.
Now we eagerly look forward to Rio2013 celebrations with a new Pope. World Youth Day Rio2013 will probably be his first international trip and – with over 2 million attendees – also the biggest.
Yes, all eyes will definitely be on Rio2013.
Paula.

 

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WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT WORLD YOUTH DAY?

1 Feb

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Where would I be without World Youth Day? I’m not sure I want to go too far down that road. But I think I can say without doubt that my first World Youth Day in Rome in 2000 was the start of something in my life: fanning into flame a faith that had lain smouldering (but not extinguished) through my adolescence.

Rome 2000 allowed me to see what a truly Catholic faith was all about. It was about seeing the millions of young people from all around the world, each with their own language and culture gathering together in one city and for one purpose. I returned home invigorated.

It was not long after that I applied to go to Seminary and through my journey to Priesthood World Youth Days played a big part in my discernment.

And now I get to lead a Pilgrimage! And not just any Pilgrimage, but a Pilgrim journey to Rio!!

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As the Director of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Liverpool I will have the great privilege of taking 30 young people from all corners of the Diocese to Rio this year.

We started our preparation meetings in October last year and will continue to have regular meetings until the July departure date. In these meetings we hope to explore the great gifts WYD can bring to us – seeing the visible expression of a shared Catholic faith, experiencing a different culture, engaging in the Missionary Week, attending catechesis sessions led by different Bishops of the world, and of course being able to participate in the WYD Vigil and Mass celebrated by the Holy Father.

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We will also work in smaller groups based more on local geography to discuss what we hope WYD will mean for us and how we hope to bring the WYD spirit back to our own parishes and pastoral areas.

We decided to start our preparation meetings in October as in late September myself and a fellow priest from Liverpool, Fr Colin Fealey, went to Rio for a pre- pilgrimage trip (travelling via Atlanta, Orlando and Panama – quite the trip!). Whilst in Rio we met the reps from the tour company we will be using and also met the leaders of the Birmingham contingent.

It was a great few days and really whetted the appetite for what is sure to be a fantastic expression of faith in July.

We found Rio to be a very relaxed and easy going city. Of course, the sights are spectacular. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Copacabana. Strolling along the Copacabana in a morning drinking coconut milk takes some beating. Even the one hour homily at the cathedral at Sunday mass did not take the shine off those few days!

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We returned full of enthusiasm for a great city and a fantastic people. To imagine upward of two million people crowding onto the Copacabana to welcome the Pope to Rio is an amazing thought. Yet in less than six months that is what we will be doing.

If you are going to Rio this year you are lucky. It truly will be a once in a lifetime affair.

If you are still thinking about it – stop thinking! You may never get the chance again.

I started by thinking about the role WYD has played in my life. I end by thinking what role it continues to play.

But more importantly I pray that this WYD in Rio will be for those who attend a grace filled pilgrimage: that they will grow in their relationship with God and so be prepared to follow His call.

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Fr Simon Gore

Director of Youth Ministry, Archdiocese of Liverpool

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