Welcome to the Journey!!

G'day Mate! Well, at least that's what I hear they say in the Land Down Under, in the Oz, or as it's most commonly known, Australia. And Down Under is where we are headed in less than two months...40 days to be exact. Though we'll lose two days in travel, we are still unbelievably blessed to be spending two weeks in Oz amongst the natives and fellow pilgrims. (Latest estimates predict 250 - 500K WYDers from around the world).

Genesis Ministries is privileged and incredibly blessed to be taking a group of nine for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many thanks to the Catholic parishes and religious of Oakland County over the years for their support of all our young adult ministry efforts. The nine traveling with us are (in no specific order) Anna Dudek, Andrea Hooper, Laura Uschold, Sandra Tomaszycki, Tony Thompson, Christa Lindsey, Jerry LaPointe, our spiritual director Fr. John Martin from St. Benedict Monastery in Oxford, and yours truly as the fearless, though somewhat trepidacious, leader.

I have been so blessed to get to know our group of pilgrims over the last 8+ months. They are truly heaven-sent! I've heard some ... colorful ... stories from pilgrims past where there were ... interesting ... personalities, and I am thrilled to say that we are ALL interesting personalities! Personalities aside, we are all on the same page in terms of the spiritual mission of this trip, and we continue to bond in ways I could never have imagined in over so short a time, which will come in handy! We will be traveling with what WYD calls "simple accommodations" - this can range anywhere from home stays with host families to piling into a gymnasium or church hall. Most likely, we will be staying at a Benedictine monastery right outside of Sydney, an opportunity that came to us by the inspiration and intervention of the Holy Spirit, who truly has guided our steps and paved the way before us in more ways than can be expressed.

Since taking the plunge in September 2007 by committing to take a group, we have experienced our share of ups and downs, sometimes wondering if we would even be able to go. Flights were unavailable, registrations weren't being confirmed, email inquiries went unanswered...you name, we faced it! And yet, through it all, the power of the Holy Spirit and undoubtedly the intercession of Pope John Paul II, who was the human force behind World Youth Day, has continually overcome any obstacles we encountered. Flights opened up and with more seats than we needed...and we filled them! A few hundred emails and tens of formation meetings later, we stand 40 days away from a great "bon voyage!"

As we travel to and in Sydney, we will try to update this blog with reflections and highlights of our travels and experiences. Not knowing what access I will have to wireless internet, the photo/video/audio may have to be added upon our return. If it is possible to add them while we are there, I most certainly will!

Thanks for being a part of this with us!

The peace and countless blessings of Christ be yours always,
Rakhi Roy
Director, Genesis Ministries