WYD 2008

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Please Pray For...

While in Australia we will be visiting many different places and saying mass at them. We will also be saying the rosary daily. If you would like us to remember someone in our prayers let us know here.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Parents thoughts

As a parent sending your child to this event what are your thoughts, as I’m sure that most parents are feeling the same.

Pilgrams thoughts

This is my 4th pilgrimage for a WYD event and this is one I have been hoping for since the idea of going to Australia was mentioned 5 years ago. I am very excited to leave although the flight will be long it will make the time spent on the plane and in the airports a great opportunity for us to get to know each other. What is everyone else feeling? Are their any questions that you would like to open up for everyone to comment on.

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2- July 4th/5th-Arrive at Philadelphia Airport, Depart from Philadelphia on Southwest Flight 2664 to Phoenix.We will then fly out of Phoenix on Southwest flight 120 to Los Angeles. We will then leave Los Angeles on Air New Zealand flight NZ 005 to Auckland. This is where we loose the day, we leave Auckland on Air New Zealand flight NZ 135 to Brisbane.
Day 3- July 6th- Arive in Brisbane/ Gold Cost. We will participate in an authentic Australian farm experience at Paradice Country, including boomerang throwing and whip cracking demonstrations, sheep dog mustering and stock horse round up. We will have an Aussie BBQ lunch. In the afternoon there will be the chance to sample the famous Surfers Paradise Beach or go shopping.
Day 4- July 7th- Dreamworld, Australia's largest theme park. Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.
Day 5- July 8th- Enjoy a relaxed start to the morning before departing for the Gold Coast's Hinterland and Sprinbrook National Park, home of the Natural Arch. Here we will find one of Australia's oldest and largest glow-worm colonies. We then say goodbye to Queensland and cross into New South Wales, stopping by the popular resort town of Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly township "Byron" is renowned for its surfing beaches and beautiful rainforests. Then we will be on our way to Coffs Harbour, our overnight stop, the banana growing capital.
Day 6- July 9th- Coffs Harbour. Visit the Big Banana and its large plantation, even perhaps enjoy a thrilling toboggan ride. We will then watch a dolphin and seal show at the Pet Porpoise Pool. The afternoon is ours to try sea kayaking to the Solitary Islands Marine Park, Sky-dive, join a whale watching cruise or learn to surf, these are all at our own expense. An alternative for today is to join a exilerating full day white water rafting trip on the Nymboida River, also at our own expense.
Day 7- July 10th- Travel along Waterfall Way to Coonabarabran. We will be stopping at the Dorrigo National Park, we will be visiting the Rainforest Center and the skywalk board walk. While here we can also participate in a 6km walking trail that passes several waterfalls. We will then be entering the New England district and passing thru the town of Uralla and Thunderbolt's Rock. We will stop in Tamworth before traveling on to Coonabarabran, our overnight stop.
Day 8- July 11th- Warrumbungle National Park. We will participate in a half day 'Faith Trek" along the trails offering spectacular views. In the afternoon we will visit the Siding Spring Observatory. Our overnight stop will be in the central western city of Dubbo.
Day 9- July 12th- Dubbo Zoo. The afternoon will be at your leasure. There will be shopping or you can visit the Old Dubbo Gaol, a faithfully perserved jail.
Day 10- July 13th- We will be passing thru the fruit growing region around orange and the old gold rush town of Bathurst and into the Blue Mountains. We will then pass thru the town of Lithgow and the Megalong Valley and Jenolan Caves. We will stop at the caves for guided tours or choose smal group caving experience or a 6 hour underground adventure of the Mammoth Cave. We will have some time to relax in the Jenolan Caves House before leaving to go to Katoomba, our overnight stop.
Day 11- July 14th- Echo Point. We will enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway, boardwalks through the rainforest, ride the Scenic Cableway and Skyway. There will be free time to shop before watching a 3D movie at the Edge Cinema. On our way to Sydney we will be stopping at St. Paul's in Camden for Mass.
Day 12- July 15th- Sydney Harbor Tour. In the afternoon we will attend the World Youth Day opening ceremonies.
Day 13 to 17- July 16th thru July 20th- World Youth Day Activities

Accomidations

Below are our overnight accomidtions. The phone number is also listed, if you wish to call you need to be calling from a land line or the call will not go through.
July 6 & 7 - Australis Sovereign Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Phone # 011-61-7-5579-3888
July 8 & 9 - Coachman Inn Motel in Coffs Harbour. Phone # 011-61-2-9315-3100
July 10 - Matthew Flinders Motor Inn in Coonabaraban. Phone # 011-61-2-6842-3100
July 11 & 12 - Comfort Inn Blue Lagoon in Dubbo. Phone # 011-61-2-6882-4444
July 13 - Echo Point Motel in Katoomba. Phone # 011-61-2-4782-2088
July 14-22 - Sheraton on the Park in Sydney. Phone # 011-61-2-9286-6000

Pray the Rosary with Us

Day 1- The Annunciation

O God, You willed that, at the message of an angel, Your Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant to Your suppliant people, that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of god, may be helped by her intercession with you. Through the same, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Day 2- The Visitation

The Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant; from this day all generations will call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.

Day 3- The Nativity

Who thinks it possible to describe the special kind of submission you showed? Who can describe your soul’s feelings, O Virgin most blessed? On the one hand, you see a little child born of you, on the other you perceive the immense God! On the one hand, the creature; on the other, the creator; a weak being and the mightiest of beings; one who needs nourishment and one who nourishes; one who does not speak and one who teaches the angels!
-St. Ambrose Autpert

Day 4-The Presentation

Five Finger Prayer
1. Your thumb is the nearest to you. So begin your prayer by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in industry and business, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any
piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself.

Day 5- The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Day 6-The Agony in the Garden

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within your wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from you
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto you
That I may praise you with your saints and with your angels forever and ever
Amen.

Day 7- The Scourging at the Pillar

Lord Jesus Christ, you accepted an unjust judgment.
Grant to us and to all the men and women of our time the grace to remain faithful to the truth. Do not allow the weight of responsibility for the sufferings of the innocent to fall upon us and upon those who come after us. To you, O Jesus, just Judge, be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Day 8- The Crowning of Thorns

O Christ, you came into this world to visit all those who await salvation. Grant that our generation will recognize the time of its visitation and share in the fruits of your redemption. Do not permit that there should be weeping for us because we have rejected our merciful Father’s outstretched hand. To you, O Jesus, born of the Virgin Daughter of Zion, be honor and praise forever and ever.
Amen.

Day 9- Jesus Carries His Cross

Lord Jesus Christ, who accepted the Cross at the hands of men to make of it the sign of God's saving love for humanity, grant us and all the men and women of our time the grace of faith in this infinite love. By the sign of the Cross, may we be authentic witnesses to the Redemption. To you, O Jesus, Priest and Victim, be praise and glory forever.
Amen.

Day 10- The Crucifixion

Prayer for Generosity
Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,
Teach me true generosity.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
To give without counting the cost,
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest,
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.
Amen.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola

Day 11- The Resurrection

Sacred Heart of Jesus, today I wish to live in You, in Your grace, in which I desire at all costs to persevere. Keep me from sin and strengthen my will by helping me to keep watch over my senses, my imagination and my heart. Help me to correct my faults which are the source of sin. I beg you to do this, O Jesus, through Mary, Your Immaculate Mother.
Amen.

Day 12- The Ascension
God, we ask for your blessings and wisdom, so that we may be stewards of all your creation.
Help us to care for the earth you have created so beautifully.
Teach us to appreciate the land, the air that we breathe, and the food that the earth nourishes us with.
God, help us to realize that we are all brothers and sisters, that we must care for one another, so that no one goes to bed hungry at night and we all have a roof over our head, a place to call home.
Help us to think of those who may be lonely and may need the reassurance that they are loved.
God, help those who have no respect for the earth, who have no respect for others, and who have no respect for our elders.
Bless them so that they may be better persons.
Thank you, God. Amen.
-Halona Teba
Saint Catherine Indian School
Sante Fe, NM

Day 13- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
- St. Augustine of Hippo

Day 14- The Assumption
God, our Father, Creator of the world, you established the order which governs all ages. Hear our prayer and grant us peace in our time, that we may rejoice in Your glory and praise you without end.
Mary, Queen of Peace, look upon us kindly. Through your prayers obtain for us the gift of peace which your Son promised.
We ask this through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Son of Mary, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Day 15- Mary is Crowned Queen of Heaven & Earth

O Mary, who walked the way of the Cross with your Son, your mother’s heart torn by grief, but mindful always of your fiat and fully confident that He to whom nothing is impossible would be able to fulfill His promises, implore for us and generations yet to come the grace of surrender to God’s love. Help us, in the face of suffering, rejection and trial, however prolonged and severe, never to doubt His love. To Jesus, your Son, honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.

Day 16- The Wedding Feast

Almighty and eternal God, You have so exalted the unbreakable bond of marriage that it has become the sacramental sign of Your Son’s union with the Church as His spouse.

Look with favor on those whom You have united with marriage as they ask for Your help and the protection of the Virgin Mary. We pray that in good times and bad they will grow in love for each other; that they will resolve to be of one heart in the bond of peace.

Lord, in their struggles let them rejoice that You are near to them; in their needs let them know that You are there to rescue them; in their joys let them see that You are the source and completion of every happiness.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Day 17- The Baptism in the Jordan

A life without faith
Is a candle without a flame.
God gives everyone a candle.
It is up to us to light them
And use them to light the way.
Some of us never light our candle.
We walk in fear of the darkness.
Not even our shadows seem to appear.
Yet the one who lights the candle
Is followed by God, and led down
The right pathway.
- Nicole Curtiss
Marian High School,
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Day 18- The Proclamation

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability - and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually- let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ

Day 19- The Transfiguration

Who Am I?
I am a person like no one else in the world.
I am the people I have met.
I am the experiences I have had.

I am the mistakes I have made and the wisdom
I have gained from them.
I am the lessons I have learned and the ones I have given.
I am the good times in my life and the bad ones too.
I am the emotions I have felt and the thoughts I have thought.
God, I am the life I have lived.
Although it’s not a perfect one,
understand that I am doing the best I can with what you have given me.
Because all that I have to work with ... is me.
-Tom Moore
Bishop Foley High School
Madison Heights, MI

Day 20- The Institution of the Eucharist

O Jesus, I want You for my sake, because I am weak, because I am a sinner.
O Jesus, I want You for Your sake, that I may know You, love You and grow to be like You.
O Jesus, I want You for the sake of others, that I may never do them harm, always do them good and give You to them.
Since you want me, Jesus, take me, all that I have, all that I am, and all that I can be.

Day 21- Our Lady help of Christians

O Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia, Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners, we consecrate ourselves to thine Immaculate Heart.

To thee we consecrate our country, our families, our hearts, our souls and all that we have.

And in order that this consecration may be truly effective and lasting, we renew today the promise of our Baptism and Confirmation; we undertake to live as good Christians –faithful to God, the Church and the Holy Father. We desire to pray the Rosary, partake in the Holy Eucharist, attach special importance to the first Saturday of the month and work for the conversion of sinners.

Furthermore we promise, O most holy Virgin, that we will zealously spread devotion to thee, so that through our consecration to thine Immaculate Heart and through thine own intercession, the coming of the Kingdom of Christ in the world may be hastened.
Amen.

Day 22- Our Lady of Guadalupe

I call you. I’m a voice in nature, a silent whisper of faith. Sometimes you run from my open hands. I call you in service. I am present in the wind and warmth of the sun. I’m calling you to a life of peace. My voice is in the hills, the mountains, and lakes. It is in the face of a mother struggling to conquer hunger. It is the warmth of a father’s hands, striving to keep his family warm in their little thatched hut.
I call you within the deserts of Mexico and in the kindness of oppressed people. I call you from this material world to a world of true happiness, one that gratifies the soul and mind.
My voice is calling you to be a servant of Christ, a messenger, a guide, and a life-lover. I’m calling you to reach out and be concerned for the world. Love all people, and never let go of my voices. It may start as a whisper but become a yell. Answer it. Come to me. Live out your true destiny. Become one with yourself, God and society. Never reject my voice. You can learn so much about yourself and others from such a small whisper inside this troubled world.
-Jonathan Huth Saint John High School, Gulfport, MS

Day 23- The Immaculate Conception

Most Holy Trinity, we place the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to You. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Have mercy on our President and on all the officers of our government. Protect family life in our nation. Grant the precious gift of many vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted and all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we honor you and ask your maternal protection and care for us. Obtain for us the graces we need to live and die according to the Will of your Divine Son.
Amen.

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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Please Pray For...

Monday, June 16, 2008

Parents thoughts

Pilgrams thoughts

Group photo in Camden Australia

Mass in the Cave

The presentation of the Crosses

The painting

The cross arived safe and sound

Luisa

The view from our boat cruise

Opening Day Crowds

The begining of the WYD celebrations

Hungry Jacks

Surfers Paradise

Welcome Pilgrims

Portland tap dances

The tobogin

Dolphin Love

The plane ride

We are God's flock

Mass in New Zealand

Holding the Koala

Dreamworld

Itinerary

Accomidations

Pray the Rosary with Us