From The Catholic Weekly (Australia)
THE OFT-STATED claim that young men nowadays don’t want to be priests is given the lie by the number of them in Sydney alone who are now in training for the priesthood – the 39
young men at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, 21 young men at the Redemptorist Mater
Seminary and countless numbers in formation with orders such as the Dominicans and the
Capuchin Friars.
The number of seminarians is increasing worldwide and this has been apparent in Sydney
for some time.
The past two years has seen the ordination of 10 young men in St Mary’s Cathedral, with further ordinations scheduled for May this year.
The Vocation Centre of the archdiocese of Sydney is hard at work offering confidential spiritual guidance and retreats for those discerning priestly and religious life.
This year it offers two discernment retreats for men considering the “You see, my role as
director of vocations is to help young people discern what God is really calling them to; there is never a question of trying to ‘recruit’ or influence someone who is not called.
“For instance, I have assisted some young men to see they are actually called to marriage.
“It is their vocation, their choice as to how they exercise their freedom and it’s also their responsibility to genuinely listen to what God is asking them.”
The Vocation Centre is also hard at work helping parishes to be supportive and caring places for young people discerning their vocation.
This month sees the launch of a Vocations Co-ordinators Resource Kit.
And today (Sunday, February 27) the Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, in a
service at St Mary’s Cathedral, is commissioning the first group of lay volunteers who
will implement the kit in their parishes.
Elizabeth Arblaster of the Vocation Centre says: “The lay people who have volunteered to be parish vocations co-ordinators know that we need to support priests in this work so that our young people hear vocations stories, see positive examples of all vocations and have a prayerful and informed community that will support them as they listen to God’s call.
“In doing this work, these lay people are giving life to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s desire that young people need to be supported in their local churches and ‘feel the Priesthood (April 8-10 , September 23-25 ), two seminary inquiry days (May 29 and October 30) as well as monthly reflection days throughout 2011 called Silence and Solitude
Sundays.
There is also a retreat for women on prayer, discernment, marriage and consecrated life (March 11-13), as well as one later in the year for women considering consecrated life
(November 25-27).
On top of it all, the Vocation Centre is about the launch a new DVD on the priesthood as well as a weekly Vocations Show on the online Catholic radio station CRADIO, offering
in-depth interviews, testimonies and the chance to ask questions about vocations.
“These retreats, reflection and inquiry days for young men considering whether Christ is calling them to the priesthood is a time for these men to go deeper, ask questions, and
meet up with peers who are undertaking a similar journey” says the archdiocesan director of Vocations, Fr Michael de Stoop.
“The men take much spiritual enrichment, knowledge and support from these retreats.
“They know when they come along that there is no pressure and no strings attached.warmth of the whole community as they respond yes to God and the Church’.
“We want to hear from those lay people and we feel passionate about training and supporting them.”
For discernment resources, information about retreats, receiving confidential guidance, or
becoming a parish vocations co-ordinator, call the Vocation Centre on 9390 5970, email
vocations@sydneycatholic.org or visit www.vocationcentre.org.au
Showing posts with label World Youth Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Youth Day. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, January 2, 2009
"Cardinal: Youth Day Brought Conversions, Vocations"
From ZENIT SYDNEY, Australia, JAN. 1, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Sydney, the host city for July's World Youth Day, says the event brought conversions and vocations to the priesthood.
Cardinal George Pell affirmed this to the Italian bishops' SIR news agency, saying that "we are registering an increase in conversions [to Catholicism.]"
"A few days ago," he explained, "one parish priest called me to tell me that 25 people, youth and adults, had decided to become Catholic."
The number of seminarians is also going up, the cardinal added, explaining that in February, seven youth will enter the seminary of Sydney and eight in Melbourne. He also noted an increase in retreats and religious events.
One of the World Youth Day activities that continues to be in-demand is catechesis, Cardinal Pell said.
"Many continue to ask for it and in numerous parishes, it has become a regular event," he said. "Youth don't want to be told just what is good and what is bad, but rather they want to understand the doctrine of the Church regarding current topics."
The cardinal mentioned that another fruit of World Youth Day is a renewed pastoral attention to the Aborigine peoples. He said that this ministry would be further developed during 2009, with a particular focus on free education in Catholic schools for Aborigine children.
Friday, August 8, 2008
"Seminarians make impact on fellow WYD pilgrims"
From the Pittsburgh Catholic
By John Franko
When Eric Campbell went to World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany, he met seminarians who showed him what the seminary was about and what living for Christ was about.
It convinced him that it was a life he wanted to explore.
“That made me want to enter the seminary,” he said. “It changed my life completely.”
Campbell, 20, was one of more than two dozen diocesan seminarians who made the pilgrimage with young people of the diocese during the World Youth Day 2008 gathering in Sydney, Australia.
He interacted with young people from St. Paul in Butler.
Campbell said he was impressed by their faith and their interest in spirituality. Just talking to them and seeing how the event was changing their lives, he noted, gave him hope.
He said he told them of the importance of not being afraid to abandon themselves to God.
“We can show them that its OK to live your life for Christ, to lay down your life for each other,” he said.
Seminarian Kevin Fazio, 36, joined young people from St. Columbkille in Imperial and St. John Neumann in Franklin Park.
Fazio said he waited for teachable moments to talk about the faith, and he found the youths to be very receptive to his sharing.
“You could tell that they were genuinely interested,” he said.
Fazio noted that there were a variety of questions asked about the church, but that people are particularly interested in vocation stories. He recalled a conversation with a young woman from Latvia.
“There’s something unique to a vocations story that people find interesting,” he said. “People from different countries, from all ends of the earth.”
Seminarian Mike Seeger, 19, traveled with St. Sebastian in Ross Township.
He said he was amazed by the openness and honesty of the questions asked by the young people.
It meant a lot to him that he was able to share his own excitement at seeing Pope Benedict XVI with the teens, Seeger said.
“We came back and we were jumping up and down, shaking,” he said. “It was just an amazing experience. Everyone was really excited.”
The reaction of the young people to the seminarians’ presence was overwhelmingly positive.
One adult leader pointed out that at least two of the young men in her group had expressed an interest in the seminary to her. Others were asking more questions.
David Jimenez of St. Bede in Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood was part of a group that welcomed seminarian Michael Peck.
Jimenez described Peck, 34, as a “humble and peaceful man” who led them in the Liturgy of the Hours” and created a prayerful focus each day.
“That really provided you with a lot of guidance and reflection,” Jimenez said.
He noted that the excitement and glitz of World Youth Day sometimes overshadows the prayer aspect, but Peck did not allow that to happen.
Kristy Foglia noted that Peck started with morning prayer, ended with evening prayer and said grace at meals in between.
“He really showed that God was in his life and that he can be in mine as well,” she said.
Foglia said she was impressed that Peck, a late vocation, had left his job in order to follow God.
Joanne Sheehan, catechetical administrator at Mater Dolorosa-St. Joseph in Chicora, spoke of the one-on-one communication between seminarian Dave Rombold, 20, and her young people.
She recalled, in particular, their taking part in adoration of the Eucharist together.
“He is such a good example,” she said. “You know what a real person he is. You can be a real person and still love Jesus.”
Sheehan pointed out that Rombold also connected with the parents who made the trip. They also experienced “real-life conversations that weren’t like a sermon.”
The group bought Rombold a gift, and each of them signed it as a token of their appreciation for his contributions.
“He wasn’t a holy roller, he was somebody just like us,” Sheehan said. “That will attract boys to the seminary.”
Sheehan said Rombold described his life at the seminary and what it means to have Bishop David Zubik living there.
She also noted that he talked to each of the young people individually and let them know “how cool” it was that they have Jesus in their lives.
“He brought it to a level that was understandable and interesting,” she said. “It was everyday kind of stuff.”
While the seminarians spoke a lot about their life of discernment, they said their interest in the young people extended beyond recruiting others to join them.
Seminarian Dan Gallagher noted that at an event like World Youth Day young people are looking at themselves in a different way, trying to find where they’re at in their faith.
He said his own real conversion began in Cologne. It was where he really opened his eyes to Christ.
Gallagher, 24, said he wanted to help others do the same.
World Youth Day provided good pastoral experience that could prove valuable in the future, he said.
“As a priest, it would be awesome to lead a pilgrimage to World Youth Day,” he said. “It is such a powerful experience.”
The young people of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Pleasant Hills shared the World Youth Day experience with seminarian Michael Roche.
“He was great,” said Torie Wytiaz. “We just loved having him with us.”
Her brother, Nick, was interested in Roche’s journey to the seminary.
Roche, 29, gave up a career as an accountant. “You realize that it wasn’t what he was called to do,” Nick said. “He had a call to God.”
St. Elizabeth traveled without a priest, and the young people appreciated that Roche was there to provide a spiritual aspect.
Torie said it was “neat” that Roche was as excited as they were to see Pope Benedict.
Nick admitted that the group was initially skeptical about traveling with someone they had never met because they were afraid it would affect their plans. He noted, however, that the skepticism was short-lived.
“It worked out great,” he said. “It was a great program that the diocese decided to have.”
He added that, should the day come, members of the St. Elizabeth group would like to attend Roche’s priestly ordination.
By John Franko
When Eric Campbell went to World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany, he met seminarians who showed him what the seminary was about and what living for Christ was about.
It convinced him that it was a life he wanted to explore.
“That made me want to enter the seminary,” he said. “It changed my life completely.”
Campbell, 20, was one of more than two dozen diocesan seminarians who made the pilgrimage with young people of the diocese during the World Youth Day 2008 gathering in Sydney, Australia.
He interacted with young people from St. Paul in Butler.
Campbell said he was impressed by their faith and their interest in spirituality. Just talking to them and seeing how the event was changing their lives, he noted, gave him hope.
He said he told them of the importance of not being afraid to abandon themselves to God.
“We can show them that its OK to live your life for Christ, to lay down your life for each other,” he said.
Seminarian Kevin Fazio, 36, joined young people from St. Columbkille in Imperial and St. John Neumann in Franklin Park.
Fazio said he waited for teachable moments to talk about the faith, and he found the youths to be very receptive to his sharing.
“You could tell that they were genuinely interested,” he said.
Fazio noted that there were a variety of questions asked about the church, but that people are particularly interested in vocation stories. He recalled a conversation with a young woman from Latvia.
“There’s something unique to a vocations story that people find interesting,” he said. “People from different countries, from all ends of the earth.”
Seminarian Mike Seeger, 19, traveled with St. Sebastian in Ross Township.
He said he was amazed by the openness and honesty of the questions asked by the young people.
It meant a lot to him that he was able to share his own excitement at seeing Pope Benedict XVI with the teens, Seeger said.
“We came back and we were jumping up and down, shaking,” he said. “It was just an amazing experience. Everyone was really excited.”
The reaction of the young people to the seminarians’ presence was overwhelmingly positive.
One adult leader pointed out that at least two of the young men in her group had expressed an interest in the seminary to her. Others were asking more questions.
David Jimenez of St. Bede in Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood was part of a group that welcomed seminarian Michael Peck.
Jimenez described Peck, 34, as a “humble and peaceful man” who led them in the Liturgy of the Hours” and created a prayerful focus each day.
“That really provided you with a lot of guidance and reflection,” Jimenez said.
He noted that the excitement and glitz of World Youth Day sometimes overshadows the prayer aspect, but Peck did not allow that to happen.
Kristy Foglia noted that Peck started with morning prayer, ended with evening prayer and said grace at meals in between.
“He really showed that God was in his life and that he can be in mine as well,” she said.
Foglia said she was impressed that Peck, a late vocation, had left his job in order to follow God.
Joanne Sheehan, catechetical administrator at Mater Dolorosa-St. Joseph in Chicora, spoke of the one-on-one communication between seminarian Dave Rombold, 20, and her young people.
She recalled, in particular, their taking part in adoration of the Eucharist together.
“He is such a good example,” she said. “You know what a real person he is. You can be a real person and still love Jesus.”
Sheehan pointed out that Rombold also connected with the parents who made the trip. They also experienced “real-life conversations that weren’t like a sermon.”
The group bought Rombold a gift, and each of them signed it as a token of their appreciation for his contributions.
“He wasn’t a holy roller, he was somebody just like us,” Sheehan said. “That will attract boys to the seminary.”
Sheehan said Rombold described his life at the seminary and what it means to have Bishop David Zubik living there.
She also noted that he talked to each of the young people individually and let them know “how cool” it was that they have Jesus in their lives.
“He brought it to a level that was understandable and interesting,” she said. “It was everyday kind of stuff.”
While the seminarians spoke a lot about their life of discernment, they said their interest in the young people extended beyond recruiting others to join them.
Seminarian Dan Gallagher noted that at an event like World Youth Day young people are looking at themselves in a different way, trying to find where they’re at in their faith.
He said his own real conversion began in Cologne. It was where he really opened his eyes to Christ.
Gallagher, 24, said he wanted to help others do the same.
World Youth Day provided good pastoral experience that could prove valuable in the future, he said.
“As a priest, it would be awesome to lead a pilgrimage to World Youth Day,” he said. “It is such a powerful experience.”
The young people of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Pleasant Hills shared the World Youth Day experience with seminarian Michael Roche.
“He was great,” said Torie Wytiaz. “We just loved having him with us.”
Her brother, Nick, was interested in Roche’s journey to the seminary.
Roche, 29, gave up a career as an accountant. “You realize that it wasn’t what he was called to do,” Nick said. “He had a call to God.”
St. Elizabeth traveled without a priest, and the young people appreciated that Roche was there to provide a spiritual aspect.
Torie said it was “neat” that Roche was as excited as they were to see Pope Benedict.
Nick admitted that the group was initially skeptical about traveling with someone they had never met because they were afraid it would affect their plans. He noted, however, that the skepticism was short-lived.
“It worked out great,” he said. “It was a great program that the diocese decided to have.”
He added that, should the day come, members of the St. Elizabeth group would like to attend Roche’s priestly ordination.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
"Mass For Young Religious and Seminarians"
From the Love and Life Site blog
by Sr. Mariam Caritas, SV
“In a very special way, my greeting goes to the seminarians and young religious who are present among us. Like the young Israelites in today’s first reading, they are a sign of hope and renewal for God’s people; and, like those young Israelites, they will have the task of building up the Lord’s house in the coming generation.” (from the mass homily at St. Mary’s Cathedral July 19th). The sign of hope and renewal that Pope Benedict described us as is radiated first from he who has become known as the “Pope of hope.” We aspire to only magnify what he is teaching us and in that will build up the Lord’s house in the coming generation. (See Pope Benedict XVI's homily HERE.)
It was only appropriate that during World Youth Day our Holy Father desired to gather with the seminarians and young religious from across the globe. As Pope Benedict entered the Cathedral a shout of “viva el papa” came from one of the seminarians hovering around the front door where a sea of cassock clad seminarians and habited religious were flooding the center isle to get a closer glimpse of the pontiff.
The vibrancy and youth of the Church’s vocations were obvious by looking around at the faces of those religious and seminarians that were in attendance. At the mass on Sunday at Randwick Racecourse, the Pope noted how the Church is young. It was all too apparent at this solemn mass in Sydney’s Cathedral that Her vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are also young and filled with great love for the Supreme Pontiff.
During this mass with young religious and seminarians Pope Benedict dedicated the Cathedral’s new altar. How fitting that this took place in the presence of those who are preparing their souls for lives of consecration. Cardinal Pell reminded us that Christ is our Head and true altar and all Christians, most especially those consecrated as religious and priests are also spiritual altars on which the sacrifice of a holy life is offered to God.
As the Holy Father was reciting the prayers of the rite of dedication I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to religious consecration. As I along with six other novices are preparing for our own profession of vows in a few short weeks I was all the more compelled by these prayers when he said “Bless this altar…that it may ever be reserved for the sacrifice of Christ.” As consecrated souls we are called to be a sacrificial offering out of love for the Lord. During his homily the Pope emphasized to us that “you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ’s sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet.”
During these days in Sydney with the young Catholics of the world we saw this everyday in the numerous encounters we experienced. Whether it was local Australians just wanting to be in our presence and chat about what it means to be a Christian. To daily mass going college students inquiring about the possibility of their own vocation to religious life. No matter the situation these people desired a sign of hope. They desired authentic love with the living God. They desired to encounter Jesus Christ and were given the great treasure of that experience with His Vicar on earth whom they long follow in order to build up the Lord’s house in the coming generation.
by Sr. Mariam Caritas, SV
“In a very special way, my greeting goes to the seminarians and young religious who are present among us. Like the young Israelites in today’s first reading, they are a sign of hope and renewal for God’s people; and, like those young Israelites, they will have the task of building up the Lord’s house in the coming generation.” (from the mass homily at St. Mary’s Cathedral July 19th). The sign of hope and renewal that Pope Benedict described us as is radiated first from he who has become known as the “Pope of hope.” We aspire to only magnify what he is teaching us and in that will build up the Lord’s house in the coming generation. (See Pope Benedict XVI's homily HERE.)
It was only appropriate that during World Youth Day our Holy Father desired to gather with the seminarians and young religious from across the globe. As Pope Benedict entered the Cathedral a shout of “viva el papa” came from one of the seminarians hovering around the front door where a sea of cassock clad seminarians and habited religious were flooding the center isle to get a closer glimpse of the pontiff.
The vibrancy and youth of the Church’s vocations were obvious by looking around at the faces of those religious and seminarians that were in attendance. At the mass on Sunday at Randwick Racecourse, the Pope noted how the Church is young. It was all too apparent at this solemn mass in Sydney’s Cathedral that Her vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are also young and filled with great love for the Supreme Pontiff.
During this mass with young religious and seminarians Pope Benedict dedicated the Cathedral’s new altar. How fitting that this took place in the presence of those who are preparing their souls for lives of consecration. Cardinal Pell reminded us that Christ is our Head and true altar and all Christians, most especially those consecrated as religious and priests are also spiritual altars on which the sacrifice of a holy life is offered to God.
As the Holy Father was reciting the prayers of the rite of dedication I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to religious consecration. As I along with six other novices are preparing for our own profession of vows in a few short weeks I was all the more compelled by these prayers when he said “Bless this altar…that it may ever be reserved for the sacrifice of Christ.” As consecrated souls we are called to be a sacrificial offering out of love for the Lord. During his homily the Pope emphasized to us that “you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ’s sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet.”
During these days in Sydney with the young Catholics of the world we saw this everyday in the numerous encounters we experienced. Whether it was local Australians just wanting to be in our presence and chat about what it means to be a Christian. To daily mass going college students inquiring about the possibility of their own vocation to religious life. No matter the situation these people desired a sign of hope. They desired authentic love with the living God. They desired to encounter Jesus Christ and were given the great treasure of that experience with His Vicar on earth whom they long follow in order to build up the Lord’s house in the coming generation.
"A Window for God"
From the Love and Life Site blogBy Sr. Talitha Guadalupe (Sisters of Life novice)
All vocations are of the Cross. Vocation is the place where you realize that what your heart yearns to do is so far beyond you that it can only be accomplished in Christ. Thus you give yourself fully to Christ, sacrificing yourself to Him, and trusting that by doing so you participate in the world’s salvation. Each of us has a unique vocation. Each of us is a unique image of God; no one else can show God to the world as you can. He has a beautiful and totally individual plan for each one of us.
I first discovered my vocation calling at World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. I was sixteen at the time and very young in my Catholic faith. For the first time, I saw the Stations of the Cross, or perhaps it would be more correct to say that I experienced the Cross. I saw Jesus sacrifice Himself and knew it was for me. In that same moment, as I was watching Jesus die on the Cross, my older sister leaned over to me and said, “Have you ever thought of being a nun?” In her voice, I heard the voice of God. From the moment onward, I never doubted my religious vocation. However it was not until five years later, when I was on a “Come and See” weekend with the Sisters of Life, that I was able to concretely make the connection between the love of the crucified Christ and my sister’s revealing of my vocation. During those five years, I was searching for signs, for ways of knowing which community I was called to join. Then, when I met the Sisters of Life, I prayed before the Crucifix and I knew I did not need signs. I knew God’s love for me on the Cross was enough. Could there be any greater sign than a God who died for me?
Thus, I entered the Sisters of Life and spent nine months as a postulant, living with the community but not yet being a sister. During this time, I prayed about the mission and identity God had for me. I prayed about who I was in His eyes. Then I was given the gift of entering the novitiate, receiving the holy habit and a religious name, Sister Talitha Guadalupe. One month and one day after entering the novitiate I found myself on a plane to Sydney, Australia to attend another World Youth Day.
When we arrived in Sydney we went immediately to Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. There Sister Mary Anglica pointed out to me something I had never seen before. As you enter the Cathedral, there is a beautiful stained glass window showing the Gospel story from which my name is derived. The window depicts Jesus raising a young girl to life and in the corner is the inscription, “I say to you arise.” In Arabic the words are “Talitha, koum.” Then, the next day when I was praying before Mass, I asked God to show me what my mission was to be for this World Youth Day. I opened the Gospels, and the story was my story, the story of the raising of the little girl. It was as if God was saying to me that my mission was just to be, to be who I am in His eyes and to allow Him to show the world something of Him through me. I was to be His stained glass window, reflecting to the world an image of Him that no one else could.
I stand in awe of this reality. Always in the past, I have prayed for signs to know who I am called to be. After this World Youth Day I feel that God has revealed to me who He wants me to be. He asks me to be His Sister Talitha and He entrusts me to the care of Our Lady of Guadalupe that this may be so. Now I need to pray for a different type of grace, for the grace not to discover my identity but to live inside it and to truly experience it as God’s gift to me. I was given the grace to touch Pope Benedict (at the Mass on Saturday morning for priests, seminarians and young religious) right in front of my window in St. Mary’s Cathedral, the window of Talitha, after to having prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe that this may be so. In this I feel that through the Church, God is asking me to truly live my identity, to truly allow Him to radiate through me.
This was indeed my experience of World Youth Day. I did not witness any major conversions, but I was able to be present to many people and I saw the power of this. I saw the power of allowing myself to be small before God and simply to be where He placed me. One encounter in particular resonates in my heart. Towards the beginning of the week, I was walking and saw some anti-Catholic cartoons lying on the ground. I felt compelled to pray for those who were handing out the cartoons, and did so, entrusting them to Mary and asking her to draw them into the heart of Christ and to heal any bitterness they may be feeling. Then, a few days later, I actually saw a man, “Peter,” passing out these cartoons. At first I walked by, but then I felt impelled to go back. I asked Peter what he was doing, and he said he was just passing out some Baptist biblical literature. Then he looked out into the sea of pilgrims walking by, a sense of wonder came over him, and he said, “There are tens of thousands of people here and Christ died for each one of them.” My heart too stopped before this marvel and together Peter and I were filled with wonder at God and His love. Then I asked Peter to pray for me and shared with him my name. He smiled when he heard my name, recognizing it from the Scriptures, and said he would always remember me. He thanked me for being sweet and I left. I do not know what God will do with this encounter, but it touched me. It touched me to be able to share with Peter, a man who was attacking the Church, my identity as a daughter of the Church, and to be able to stand together in wonder before God.
God is awesome in the truest sense of the word, and He has a mission for each one of us. Sometimes we wonder what this mission could be; we worry that we will never find it. But we need not worry. Eventually God leads us to a place where our hearts meet His in such a way that without really even being aware of it, we radiate His presence. We are each uniquely created in His image and thus we each show something of Him to the world.
As Sisters of Life, we speak of our mission in terms of the Annunciation and the Visitation of Mary. We speak of conceiving Christ beneath our hearts and carrying Him forth into the world as Mary did. This was always a hard image for me. I felt that in giving Christ away, I would lose Him. Yet, God has shown me that this is not so. Instead, in receiving Christ, in receiving Him fully, I am so transformed into His image that I share Him in being myself. It is my being and not my doing that He desires and so it is with every person. As Cardinal O’Connor, our founder and father would pray, “God wants to reach out to others through your hands, God wants to speak to others through your lips, and God wants others to look into your eyes and see Him. Give God permission.”
"Vocations Expo Attracted 2,500 Pilgrims per Hour"
An interesting statistic! And people keep trying to say that young people aren't interested in the priesthood/religious life!
From ZENIT
SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI told pilgrims at the Youth Day closing Mass not to fear a call to the priesthood or consecrated life. One statistic indicates his words fell on fertile soil: An average of 2,500 pilgrims an hour visited the Vocations Expo in Sydney.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
From ZENIT
SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI told pilgrims at the Youth Day closing Mass not to fear a call to the priesthood or consecrated life. One statistic indicates his words fell on fertile soil: An average of 2,500 pilgrims an hour visited the Vocations Expo in Sydney.
Read the rest of the article HERE.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A final message to the pilgrims at WYD 2008 from Pope Benedict XVI about vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life
From the Holy Father's homily at the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2008:
"Dear young people, let me now ask you a question. What will you leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure? Are you living your lives in a way that opens up space for the Spirit in the midst of a world that wants to forget God, or even rejects him in the name of a falsely-conceived freedom? How are you using the gifts you have been given, the “power” which the Holy Spirit is even now prepared to release within you? What legacy will you leave to young people yet to come? What difference will you make?
The power of the Holy Spirit does not only enlighten and console us. It also points us to the future, to the coming of God’s Kingdom. What a magnificent vision of a humanity redeemed and renewed we see in the new age promised by today’s Gospel! Saint Luke tells us that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of all God’s promises, the Messiah who fully possesses the Holy Spirit in order to bestow that gift upon all mankind. The outpouring of Christ’s Spirit upon humanity is a pledge of hope and deliverance from everything that impoverishes us. It gives the blind new sight; it sets the downtrodden free, and it creates unity in and through diversity (cf. Lk 4:18-19; Is 61:1-2). This power can create a new world: it can “renew the face of the earth” (cf. Ps 104:30)!
Empowered by the Spirit, and drawing upon faith’s rich vision, a new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished – not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed. A new age in which love is not greedy or self-seeking, but pure, faithful and genuinely free, open to others, respectful of their dignity, seeking their good, radiating joy and beauty. A new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships. Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.
The world needs this renewal! In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert is spreading: an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair. How many of our contemporaries have built broken and empty cisterns (cf. Jer 2:13) in a desperate search for meaning – the ultimate meaning that only love can give? This is the great and liberating gift which the Gospel brings: it reveals our dignity as men and women created in the image and likeness of God. It reveals humanity’s sublime calling, which is to find fulfilment in love. It discloses the truth about man and the truth about life.
The Church also needs this renewal! She needs your faith, your idealism and your generosity, so that she can always be young in the Spirit (cf. Lumen Gentium, 4)! In today’s second reading, the Apostle Paul reminds us that each and every Christian has received a gift meant for building up the Body of Christ. The Church especially needs the gifts of young people, all young people. She needs to grow in the power of the Spirit who even now gives joy to your youth and inspires you to serve the Lord with gladness. Open your hearts to that power! I address this plea in a special way to those of you whom the Lord is calling to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Do not be afraid to say “yes” to Jesus, to find your joy in doing his will, giving yourself completely to the pursuit of holiness, and using all your talents in the service of others!"
Friday, July 18, 2008
"Vocations Expo at WYD08"
From Independent Catholic News:
A careers fair solely dedicated to encouraging new recruits to become future priests and nuns? Surely it's just wishful thinking? The young pilgrims visiting Sydney for World Youth Day definitely don't think so as thousands pass through the doors of a four-day Vocations Expo designed to help them consider whether they feel called to put aside conventional careers in favour of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
As its name suggests, the Vocations Expo is an exhibition of some of the vocations that the Catholic Church has to offer. Over 100 exhibitors have taken up stands ranging from traditionally habited nuns to those living in more recently established forms of religious community, perhaps wearing jeans and t-shirts. The Vocations Expo is now an established part of World Youth Day and Church leaders hope that the event will inspire a new generation of Catholics to embrace vocations with a life-long commitment.
Father David Toups, an exhibitor and priest representing the United States said: "We have discovered that more than 30% of our new priests in America were strongly influenced by attending previous World Days; therefore it makes sense to be here. Unlike more conventional careers fairs, we are not talking about base salary and possible bonuses, but rather rewards that are literally out of this world."
Rebecca Coyne from Wales who visited the exhibition as part of her World Youth Day experience said: "I have definitely learned a lot from the Expo. I was already considering a call to religious life, but all of the information on display from different religious communities has helped to further crystallise my thoughts."
The young adults visiting the Expo don't just get to pick up the usual free pens and keyrings, there are also DVDs on the priesthood and even cross-shaped USB storage devices. But there is little evidence of a 'hard sell' from the exhibitors - after all the Church views vocation as a call from above and not simply another job. In fact, the young pilgrims are doing most of the questioning as they enquire of the priest and religious exhibitors what it was that made them first respond to their calling and how they are able to sustain it today.
Father Paul Embery from the Vocations Office for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, who is currently in Sydney said: "It has been a truly awesome event. To see thousands of young people passing through the doors who are open to the possibility of a call to the priesthood or to various forms of religious life is very encouraging. Knowing that others are also considering these vocations is very affirming for young people. We hope it will bear fruit over the years to come."
A careers fair solely dedicated to encouraging new recruits to become future priests and nuns? Surely it's just wishful thinking? The young pilgrims visiting Sydney for World Youth Day definitely don't think so as thousands pass through the doors of a four-day Vocations Expo designed to help them consider whether they feel called to put aside conventional careers in favour of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
As its name suggests, the Vocations Expo is an exhibition of some of the vocations that the Catholic Church has to offer. Over 100 exhibitors have taken up stands ranging from traditionally habited nuns to those living in more recently established forms of religious community, perhaps wearing jeans and t-shirts. The Vocations Expo is now an established part of World Youth Day and Church leaders hope that the event will inspire a new generation of Catholics to embrace vocations with a life-long commitment.
Father David Toups, an exhibitor and priest representing the United States said: "We have discovered that more than 30% of our new priests in America were strongly influenced by attending previous World Days; therefore it makes sense to be here. Unlike more conventional careers fairs, we are not talking about base salary and possible bonuses, but rather rewards that are literally out of this world."
Rebecca Coyne from Wales who visited the exhibition as part of her World Youth Day experience said: "I have definitely learned a lot from the Expo. I was already considering a call to religious life, but all of the information on display from different religious communities has helped to further crystallise my thoughts."
The young adults visiting the Expo don't just get to pick up the usual free pens and keyrings, there are also DVDs on the priesthood and even cross-shaped USB storage devices. But there is little evidence of a 'hard sell' from the exhibitors - after all the Church views vocation as a call from above and not simply another job. In fact, the young pilgrims are doing most of the questioning as they enquire of the priest and religious exhibitors what it was that made them first respond to their calling and how they are able to sustain it today.
Father Paul Embery from the Vocations Office for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, who is currently in Sydney said: "It has been a truly awesome event. To see thousands of young people passing through the doors who are open to the possibility of a call to the priesthood or to various forms of religious life is very encouraging. Knowing that others are also considering these vocations is very affirming for young people. We hope it will bear fruit over the years to come."
"Youth Flock to Vocations Expo"
Visitors Note Surprise at Number of Religious Orders
From ZENIT
By Carla Maschereno
SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With a stunning waterfront view and the promise of getting an inside look at more than 110 ways to live the consecrated life, Sydney's Vocation Expo is attracting a constant flow of pilgrims.
World Youth Day already has a reputation for providing an environment in which young people can hear God's call in their lives. Testimonials of thousands of young people speak of a deep faith experience with practical life implications and an increase in vocations.
Sydney is proving to be no different.
This year's Vocations Expo is set at the heart of the city, at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Darling Harbor. The location is close to other popular youth festival venues such as Barangaroo, where the opening Mass was held. More than 110 religious orders, groups and movements are providing information on their style of vocation and consecrated life.
Free gifts such as rosary beads, Aussie tattoos, pens and food snacks aim to woo pilgrims. But visitors affirm that the testimony of those manning the booths are the real draw.
New Zealander Joanna Hardy, 19, said she attended the expo because she wanted to know more about religious orders.
"I don't want to become a nun or anything," she clarified. "But I do want to be aware of the different religious orders. The expo literally blows my mind. I had no idea so many religious orders existed."
Sister Lan from the Sisters of Nazareth based in Victoria, Australia, observed: "It is a unique opportunity for the young people to get to know the religious orders available. Importantly for us, it is a great chance to meet the young people and let them know that we do exist."
"There has been a constant flow of pilgrims," the woman religious added. "It's wonderful."
Other youth are happy to admit they think God is calling them to a life consecrated to him.
Eighteen-year-old Christopher Daniels, from Atlanta, Georgia, said, "I have been discerning my vocation for a while -- although I am not sure which order I would join, this definitely helps." When asked what booth impressed him the most, though, he said, "Those nuns have really got it together."
While many regard the Catholic Church as being in a "vocational crisis," if the expo is any indication, the future looks bright.
Sister Lan agreed: "I wouldn't say there is a vocational crisis. When there is a decline in one country there is always an increase in another. I have a great faith in the Holy Spirit."
The Vocations Expo is under way through Friday.
From ZENIT
By Carla Maschereno
SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With a stunning waterfront view and the promise of getting an inside look at more than 110 ways to live the consecrated life, Sydney's Vocation Expo is attracting a constant flow of pilgrims.
World Youth Day already has a reputation for providing an environment in which young people can hear God's call in their lives. Testimonials of thousands of young people speak of a deep faith experience with practical life implications and an increase in vocations.
Sydney is proving to be no different.
This year's Vocations Expo is set at the heart of the city, at the Convention and Exhibition Center in Darling Harbor. The location is close to other popular youth festival venues such as Barangaroo, where the opening Mass was held. More than 110 religious orders, groups and movements are providing information on their style of vocation and consecrated life.
Free gifts such as rosary beads, Aussie tattoos, pens and food snacks aim to woo pilgrims. But visitors affirm that the testimony of those manning the booths are the real draw.
New Zealander Joanna Hardy, 19, said she attended the expo because she wanted to know more about religious orders.
"I don't want to become a nun or anything," she clarified. "But I do want to be aware of the different religious orders. The expo literally blows my mind. I had no idea so many religious orders existed."
Sister Lan from the Sisters of Nazareth based in Victoria, Australia, observed: "It is a unique opportunity for the young people to get to know the religious orders available. Importantly for us, it is a great chance to meet the young people and let them know that we do exist."
"There has been a constant flow of pilgrims," the woman religious added. "It's wonderful."
Other youth are happy to admit they think God is calling them to a life consecrated to him.
Eighteen-year-old Christopher Daniels, from Atlanta, Georgia, said, "I have been discerning my vocation for a while -- although I am not sure which order I would join, this definitely helps." When asked what booth impressed him the most, though, he said, "Those nuns have really got it together."
While many regard the Catholic Church as being in a "vocational crisis," if the expo is any indication, the future looks bright.
Sister Lan agreed: "I wouldn't say there is a vocational crisis. When there is a decline in one country there is always an increase in another. I have a great faith in the Holy Spirit."
The Vocations Expo is under way through Friday.
"Vocations expo a success in Sydney"
From Catholic News AgencySydney, Jul 17, 2008 / 02:34 pm (CNA) .- The “Vocations Expo,” which has given religious congregations a chance to showcase their charisms and apostolates to the young people attending World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney has been “a true success,” organizers have revealed.
Diverse congregations, institutes and movements are reaching out to the thousands of young people that have flooded the vocations fair located at the Sydney Exhibition Center at Darling Harbor. The vocations expo was opened on July 15 and will end on Sunday, July 20, at the close of WYD.
According to Father Donai Pellonar, coordinator of the Vocations Expo, “This initiative aims to show the young people of WYD all possible vocations, including the priesthood, the family and the vocation to religious and consecrated life.”
Seventy five institutes, congregations, religious families, movements and associations have set up booths at the vocations expo.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
"Amid the freebies, young people gravitate toward booths of religious"
From Catholic News Service By Cindy Wooden
SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Free Internet access, free coffee, free lollipops and live music were offered at the World Youth Day vocations fair, but the young people seemed most attracted by the generally young brothers, sisters and priests staffing the booths.
A huge hall in the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre was filled with nearly 100 booths offering information about dozens of religious orders, priestly service in Australian or U.S. dioceses, lay movements, evangelization projects and natural family planning.
Young people lined up for Internet access and coffee, but they also crowded around each booth, picking up information and stepping aside for serious conversations with the religious and priests.
A step away from the U.S. bishops' conference booth July 16, a young man from Wisconsin who is in the final stages of discerning his vocation offered practical advice to a young man just starting his search.
"Talk to your vocations director," he said. The process "looks overwhelming, but it is not."
The bishops' booth offered young people a chance to write a note about their favorite priests. Snippets from the notes pinned to the wall included praise for priests who are supportive, who reverently celebrate Mass, a priest who "really gets the point of believing in Jesus," and priests who are "devoted to serving the poor."
One person's favorite priest "is a blast," while another's favorite priest "seems to stop the world to spend time with you."
Missionaries of Charity Sister Milada, originally from the Czech Republic, said: "Without reflection and prayer a vocations expo is nothing. But it is effective in the context of World Youth Day with its prayer, the witness of young religious, the catechesis and the testimonies.
"We have been really busy," said the sister, who does not use her last name.
Saria Blenkinsopp, 21, lives in Sydney. She said the vocations fair was "awesome. I'm going out with someone and I think I will marry him," but the booths gave her an opportunity to see the variety of religious orders and to meet religious who were not much older than she is.
"We can easily miss out on a call if we don't have any contact with priests and nuns," she said. "The sisters that wear habits are a walking sign. They make people stop and think.
"I don't want to knock back those who don't wear habits -- it's important to have both. It depends on the charism of their community and the work they are doing," she said. "But how can young girls think of becoming a nun when they never see one?"
"Lately there has been a lot of emphasis on Christian marriage and the theology of the body, so I don't think the vocations fair takes away from that," Blenkinsopp added. "God calls us in different ways."
Joe Dziok, 16, of Chicopee, Mass., said, "I think it's nice to see how many young people seem interested" in the religious orders.
Asked if he was considering a vocation to religious life, he said: "I don't know. I'm too young to decide right now. If anything, I think I'd be a Franciscan," like the priests who staff his home parish, St. Stanislaus.
Dziok said he did not think any pressure was being put on the young people, but "especially with this World Youth Day (concentrated) on the Holy Spirit, we are focused on the Spirit's influence in our lives. At the catechesis this morning someone said that when you open your mind to the Holy Spirit, your ideas about life can change."
At World Youth Day, he said, "young people are taking their faith seriously" and looking at vocations is part of that.
"It's nice to see," he said.
St. Paul de Chartres Sister Marietta Thieu said the vocations fair, like World Youth Day itself, was an "amazing, wonderful" sign of how God unites people while respecting their diversity.
"All these orders, all these booths, but we have one aim: to find God. And everyone is happy," the sister from Vietnam said. "Only God can unite people like this."
"We're not pop stars, say chart-topping monks"
From The AustralianBy Iain Shedden, Music writer
BROTHER Johannes Paul and Brother Edmund are not the only monks visiting Sydney this week, but they must be the only two whose debut CD is in the charts across most of Europe.
The two young men, along with 15 others from the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz in Austria, have shocked the music industry - and the church - by becoming pop stars with their Gregorian chant music, recorded in their 12th-century monastery near Vienna.
Even more surprisingly, their success has come after they posted a home-made video of their chanting on YouTube for the benefit of tourists.
Yesterday in Sydney the brothers, who are leading a group of 40 Austrian teenagers on a pilgrimage to World Youth Day, were playing down their new-found fame.
"We don't feel like pop stars," said Brother Johannes Paul, 25. "We are monks. As monks, what we do is pray. We published this CD with these prayers. We're happy that many people have listened to it and that we have made people happy. But we don't want to be pop stars."
The monks' CD, Chant: Music For Paradise, came about after Father Karl Wallner from the monastery entered their video in a talent quest organised by record company Universal.
The CD, released in Australia last week, entered the British charts at No7 and topped the Austrian charts when it was released in May.
They can count the Pope among their legion of fans; the pontiff visited the monastery last year to hear them chant.
"The Pope is very devoted to the ancient forms of Christian prayer," said Brother Edmund, 24, "especially the Gregorian chants that we practise in our monastery, so he wanted to come and pray with us."
Unlike most musicians, the monks' day-to-day devotion begins with prayers at 5.15am.
"Life in the monastery is very beautiful," Brother Edmund said. "We dedicate that life completely to God in a harmonious way. With these beautiful ancient chants, we express this life."
Money raised from the CD will be used for the monastery's theology training program.
"We have a papal college for theology students, many from Third World countries, so the more CDs we can sell, the more we can support these students," Brother Johannes Paul said.
The brothers' main source of excitement this week, he added, was "to celebrate our faith and to see the Pope".
"So far (this week) we've only seen him in the newspaper," said Brother Johannes Paul.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Holy Habit Rocking the Boat "Downunder"
From the Sisters of Life - Love and Life Blog
Holy Habit Rocking the Boat "Downunder"
Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei (SV novice)
About 39 days ago I exchanged the very blue, and somewhat ambiguous Sister of Life postulant outfit, for the flowing folds of the holy habit and became one of eleven proud new novices. Needless to say, after walking the streets of Sydney, Australia for a week, there isn't a flicker of ambiguity about what I am about, and the powerful witness of the habit.
"You are the first Sister in habit I have seen in twenty-three years!" said one woman.
"Look mum, an angel." said one awe-struck five year old on the train.
"I just LOVE your robes...vestments...why your'e so young! Tell me, what ARE you?" exclaimed another Aussie.
The stares are unabashed, and the cellphones and cameras are snapping pictures at furious rates. At times you feel like a bit of a tourist attraction as a five minute walk in the city guarantees a strangers request for a picture with you. If this wasn't enough, (and I give my word this is a true account) I sat in transit on the bus sure that the stylish, blonde-haired, twenty-something, deep into the tunes of her i-pod would remain indifferent to me, her habited peer sitting a seat away. Low and behold, within five minutes she had removed her head gear and was inquiring about mine. With cordial curiosity and openess she asked question after question. I was the very first Sister she had ever seen. She grew more and more in awe as I accounted the essence of religious life, and described the great joy and freedom that embracing Christ's call to love Him with an undivided heart has brought my life, when I just a year ago, like her, was a bright-eyed young twenty-something with the world at my feet. Both equally delighted with the encounter, she bid me 'goodday,' with a smile and the Love and Life Site palm card in hand, hopeful to join us for the festivities and learn more.
No doubt the Holy Spirit is on the move and the Sisters of Life are being called in God's shuffles of witness and Providence. What a grace, what a privilege, to wear the holy habit and serve as public witnesses to Christ.
Holy Habit Rocking the Boat "Downunder"
Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei (SV novice)
About 39 days ago I exchanged the very blue, and somewhat ambiguous Sister of Life postulant outfit, for the flowing folds of the holy habit and became one of eleven proud new novices. Needless to say, after walking the streets of Sydney, Australia for a week, there isn't a flicker of ambiguity about what I am about, and the powerful witness of the habit.
"You are the first Sister in habit I have seen in twenty-three years!" said one woman.
"Look mum, an angel." said one awe-struck five year old on the train.
"I just LOVE your robes...vestments...why your'e so young! Tell me, what ARE you?" exclaimed another Aussie.
The stares are unabashed, and the cellphones and cameras are snapping pictures at furious rates. At times you feel like a bit of a tourist attraction as a five minute walk in the city guarantees a strangers request for a picture with you. If this wasn't enough, (and I give my word this is a true account) I sat in transit on the bus sure that the stylish, blonde-haired, twenty-something, deep into the tunes of her i-pod would remain indifferent to me, her habited peer sitting a seat away. Low and behold, within five minutes she had removed her head gear and was inquiring about mine. With cordial curiosity and openess she asked question after question. I was the very first Sister she had ever seen. She grew more and more in awe as I accounted the essence of religious life, and described the great joy and freedom that embracing Christ's call to love Him with an undivided heart has brought my life, when I just a year ago, like her, was a bright-eyed young twenty-something with the world at my feet. Both equally delighted with the encounter, she bid me 'goodday,' with a smile and the Love and Life Site palm card in hand, hopeful to join us for the festivities and learn more.
No doubt the Holy Spirit is on the move and the Sisters of Life are being called in God's shuffles of witness and Providence. What a grace, what a privilege, to wear the holy habit and serve as public witnesses to Christ.
Sisters of Life at World Youth Day in Australia
(Click on picture to see enlarged version of picture with Cardinal Pell)The Sisters of Life are at World Youth Day and they have a blog for their time in Australia:
The blog has some more great pictures including this one of Sr. Mary Theotokos Ray, SV, who I posted about recently...
You can also visit their main website for the
"Nuns on World Youth Day recruiting drive"
From the HeraldSun / Australia
An order of New York City nuns hopes to recruit young Catholic pilgrims to the priesthood and sisterhood during World Youth Day (WYD).
The Sisters of Life order, which has convents in the Bronx and Manhattan, is expecting 20,000 WYD pilgrims to visit the "Life and Love" site near the University of Notre Dame campus in inner Sydney during the six-day event.
The sisters will hold seminars and present an expo on life vocations with talks on love and parenting.
Pilgrims considering entering a seminary or convent, or those curious about marriage, can visit the site at Chippendale tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.
"Many of the sisters discovered their vocations at World Youth Days when they were literally immersed in a microcosm of faith and support," Sister Mary Gabriel said.
She said WYD was an opportunity for pilgrims to hear the calling of a religious vocation.
"I do anticipate that many, many young people will discover their vocation, whether that's to marriage and family, to religious life, to enter the priesthood, across the board.
"I do believe that this event will open the door for many people to recognise their path to definitive love."
An order of New York City nuns hopes to recruit young Catholic pilgrims to the priesthood and sisterhood during World Youth Day (WYD).
The Sisters of Life order, which has convents in the Bronx and Manhattan, is expecting 20,000 WYD pilgrims to visit the "Life and Love" site near the University of Notre Dame campus in inner Sydney during the six-day event.
The sisters will hold seminars and present an expo on life vocations with talks on love and parenting.
Pilgrims considering entering a seminary or convent, or those curious about marriage, can visit the site at Chippendale tomorrow, Thursday and Friday.
"Many of the sisters discovered their vocations at World Youth Days when they were literally immersed in a microcosm of faith and support," Sister Mary Gabriel said.
She said WYD was an opportunity for pilgrims to hear the calling of a religious vocation.
"I do anticipate that many, many young people will discover their vocation, whether that's to marriage and family, to religious life, to enter the priesthood, across the board.
"I do believe that this event will open the door for many people to recognise their path to definitive love."
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