Friday, July 18, 2008

Controversial Catechesis, and the Way of the Cross

We've now been in Australia (or "Aussie Aussie Aussie!" as we've heard them chant) for over a week, and it seems as though the time is flying by. I can hardly believe we leave tomorrow for the vigil at Randwick Racecourse. Anna and I spent some time doing laundry tonight since we'll need to be all packed before we leave - we thought freshly washed clothes might be a nice touch for the Pope. :)

Today was an interesting day...after a week, people are starting to feel the effects of all the running around. No worries, though, we are bouncing back from any oncoming illnesses rather quickly, no doubt due in large part to the adrenaline running through our bodies...and the Holy Spirit, of course! The morning catechesis proved to be the most controversial of all the ones we've had thus far. Today's session was with Bishop John Ayah (sp?) from Nigeria. He chose to focus on the appropriate use of the Holy Spirit within the controls of the hierarchy of the Church.

It appears that they have had some serious abuses by those claiming to be part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Nigeria, to the point that they have fractioned off and left the Church. However, much of his talk simply brushed over the Charismatic community in generalities leaving many of the participants a little confused and somewhat hesitant to speak their disagreement upon the effects of the Renewal within the Church. If nothing else, it sparked some lively and fruitful discussion of the place of any movement within the Church and how to discern whether something was of the Holy Spirit or some other spirit.

From catechesis, we moved back to the Barangaroo for the Stations of the Cross. Initially, we weren't entirely sure we would be going, but I am so very thankful we did. As exciting as yesterday was with the arrival of the Holy Father, today's stations were equally (if not more) moving. The Stations were distributed around Sydney, including the Cathedral, the Opera House, the Art Museum, the Domain and the Barangaroo, with screen at each location to show the others. The actors that re-enacted the Way of the Cross were unbelievable - it was surreal to watch "Jesus" actually carry a cross through the streets of Sydney (and on a boat...a slight modification methinks!). He was a phenomenal actor - I'm not always a fan of the theatrics, but this was truly incredible. I'll have to include some excerpts from the reflections and prayers that accompanied the procession when I get a chance.

The only possible down-side of the day is that it was actually much colder out than we had expected so by the fourth station, we were already shivering. Yet huddling together with a few blankets, we made it through just fine. In fact, at one point we realized that if we were cold, then the man playing Jesus must be freezing since he was only half dressed, and so chose to offer it up for him and for all those who suffer far worse fates than ours! The cold did cause a change in our plans for the evening, though. The boys and Christa went home after Stations to have dinner with their host family. Instead of staying on the harbor at Barangaroo to see the concert, Sandra, Anna and I came back to our host families as well. Andrea and Laura ended up going to the last of the Christopher West series, so I'm sure they will have some inspiring words to share.

Today's word in our daily prayer books was mercy - it could not have been a more inspired word to include today. Anna, Sandra and I began the day with reconciliation, and following that up with the Stations, it brought home even more just how much love God had/has for us as his beloved sons and daughters to suffer as he did, knowing full well that we could not follow Him perfectly.

Another thing that struck me today was how blessed we were to have a group of pilgrims who are so focused on the true purpose of our pilgrimage - growing deeper in our faith and our prayer life. There are moments when we are all distracted, but I can rest assured that if I don't call us to prayer, someone else will. As we were walking to Stations today, someone suggested saying a Rosary on our way (the Bishop this morning was emphatic about the fact that we needed to return to saying the rosary more often)...the walk went so much faster than the day before! We even had one of the volunteers join in as he was walking ... and a couple Aussies joke that they were impressed Americans were praying the Rosary.

Tomorrow morning we head off to Randwick Racecourse for our final night of World Youth Day - the outdoor all-night vigil. The Papal Mass will be the following morning around 10 a.m. Sydney time (about 8 p.m. Saturday night U.S. Eastern Time) - there will be a young adult Mass at Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Sterling Heights at that time in solidarity with those of us celebrating with the Holy Father here. For anyone interested, the parish is located on 18 mile & Ryan Rd. in Sterling Heights.

We will continue to keep you all in our prayers, and ask for your prayers as well as we head into this final event which will be a challenge for some. Thank you again for all your prayers and comments so far - they are very much appreciated. We miss you all, and will be home soon!

Good night, and God bless,
Rakhi

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I write, you are approaching the mountaintop of your pilgrimage! I pray that it is not too cold, that you each get at least a little sleep, and especially that the Holy Spirit touch your hearts and those of all as you attend the Sunday's liturgy. Know that God's blessings are upon you.
Deacon Mark ( Andrea's dad)

Scott Robichaud said...

love reading the blog, btw you are 3 days behind.

-scotty