On The Road Again

Here we are, in Aneheim. We are on a family adventure to the Catholic Family Conference. Time for good friends and good times. Here's a photo of our darling Savanna in her very stylish glasses.
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Praise and Thanksgiving

My pilgrimage is now complete and my journey through life continues. Australia was a source of blessings and grace. I thank our Heavenly Father for bringing me to the Land Down Under where He gathered me with faith filled people and spectacular sights. Australia will always hold a special memory in my heart.

I also want to thank you all for your prayers for my family and myself while I was gone. Charles and Savanna had a great time at camp and with their friends. Mike worked hard while I was gone and is now happily reaping the rewards, fishing in Alaska.

I especially want to thank my Mom and Dad. Without their generous support, Australia would have never been a reality.

Archbishop Niederauer of San Francisco CA posed for this great shot with David, me, Karen, Meghann and Sr Stella Marie (Sister of Life). Archbishop Niederauer was very social. He was delighted to hear that we were from California and so close to his home.

Matt Maher and me. Matt Maher is a Catholic music artist. He is incredible! His concerts are full of energy from the Holy Spirit. I attended a local concert last year and he leads an amazing praise and worship concert. His concerts were short in Australia, but the music was true to his nature. I got lucky with this photo. Some how, I was the 3rd person in line. How that happened was a grace from God. There were hundreds of people waiting to meet him. Charles is a big fan of his, so this photo was taken for him.

Anyone recognize this guy? He starred in a movie that changed lives. He was at St Benedict's Church (our daily meeting place) for most of the time we were there. He is a very prayerful man. It was rather difficult to get this picture. Yep, it is Eduardo Verastegui, the star from the movie Bella.

Just a note

Sebastian has asked that I post a correction. Though I beat him 4 times at cards, he turned around and beat me 7 times. But in the end, I beat him one more time. Sebastian, thanks for hanging out with me and for all the great entertainment! Come visit me in America!
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Big winner

This is Sebastian, the kid I kept beating in cards. He's my cousin's son.
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Mercy is Falling, is Falling, is Falling...

Actually rain is falling in Sydney though God's mercy is always pouring out on us.

Today was the first rain since I arrived. The forecast has called for rain for about a week! We thought it was going to rain on us while sleeping at Randwick. Blessed be God for keeping us dry.

Today we visited Watson's Bay. The view of the Pacific coast is breathtaking...literally. The cliff we saw is a popular suicide spot. Many people jump off to their end. Nice, huh!

The fish and chips for lunch was the best ever. Actually all the food here (except World Youth Day freebies) was quite scrumptious. Uncle Al took me to the best restaurants.

We came home in the early afternoon. A nice change from being out all day long for the past 11 days.

My bags are packed and I'm ready for my voyage home. I leave first thing in the morning. See ya when I'm stateside.

Pray for a safe journey. God Bless.
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It's a Manly Day

Our God is an awesome God! Tues took me to Manly. Uncle Al and I visited this surf town on the Pacific Coast. Definitely a place I could relocate too! We took the ferry through the Sydney harbour and walked to the beach. We headed toward a very small beach under the shadow of a bluff. We climbed up the bluff through a densely vegetated walking path. It was just beautiful. When we got to the other side, there were lots of surfers waiting for wave. They were so far away from the beach! We had lunch on the wharf and made it home before dark. I spent the evening with Denise (my cousin) and her family. Tomarrow brings my last adventure! Keep the prayers coming for a safe trip home. God Bless you all.
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Mondays trek

Mon was the trip to the Blue Mtns. Check previous enteries for more info.
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Mass with the Holy Father

God is good! Sunday morning arrived too soon. I learned how to stay warm while sleeping under the stars; I cinched the top of my mummy bag, breathed in the bag and rolled up against Meghann. Instant warmth. Holy Mass with the Pope was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I was amazed, eventhough we were very far from the altar, the thousands of people around me were prayerful and focused. It truly was a beautiful mass. Mass concluded WYD.

We headed back to the hotel with the rest of the 300,000 pilgrims. Lucky for us we had a map that took us off the main walking area and into side streets that took us straight to our hotel. We made ot back in a fraction of the time it had taken to get there. It was actually very close to the hotel.

I had dinner with the group and said my farewells to my friends. My cousin, Richard picked me up and brought me to his dad's house. The rest of my trip will be sightseeing with family. Looking forward to peace, quiet and a snuggy bed!
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Pilgrimage to the Pope

G'day! Peace and blessings from down under. Saturday leads us into the final day of WYD. The journey to the Papal Mass site started at 6:00 am. The train took us to the North end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge where we began our pilgrimage toward the site of the Holy Mass. We walked across the bridge to Randwick Race Course.

It took us a few hours to reach the final desrination, but when you are surrounded by thousands of other pilgrims walking to a special and awesome event, the time seems to just go by. We were all ready for an overnight vigil, laden with backpacks filled with sleeping bags, warm clothes, snacks and water. The walk was about 4 miles. But we walked at a leisurely pace. When we arrived, we set up camp and headed to the closest position available to the altar/stage. We waited for a band to play. The band never realized and we were starting to get cold, very cold. After hours of waiting and saving space for a primo spot, the police pushed us out.

We moved to another spot, waiting to see the Pope who would be arriving for a vigil prayer service. Included in the prayer service was Eucharistic adoration! We had a perfect view of the monstrance and all my good friends were present to share the most beautiful adoration together. That is the largest group of people I've ever been with in prayer before the Eucharist (at least 20,000.). What an experience!

After prayer, we bundled up to keep warm and the band we were waiting for came on stage and we danced until we were steaming hot! Off came the layers.

I had planned on an early night, but I was having too much fun playing cards that time slipped by and suddenly it was 1 am. We slept under the stars.

The final Papal Mass was almost upon us.

Thank you for your prayers. God Bless.
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God's amazing Creation

I ventured out of Sydney today with my cousin Richard. We visited the Blue Mtns about 1.5 hours west of Sydney. I wasa surprised that the spectacular views were right there on the edge of a town called Katoomba. They call it the Grand Canyon of Australia. Seeing the Grand Canyon just last summer I'd have to say that it isn't quite the same. It is much more lush with thick canopy covering a rain forest. It is an awesome view.

We rode a tram across a short stretch of the canyon, then rode a rail car down into the forest. The rail car is very similar to the carts that the miners used to get into the mining tunnels. There were coal mines in the Blue Mtns. We walked through the the rain forest. I went into overload trying to take in the breath taking view of God's creation! Truly amazing.

From there we drove to Lithgow to ride the narrow gauge steam train. We zigzagged down into the Valley to the station below. It was a fun trip. We got to see how the train lights and tracks were changed by pulling on giant levers.

From there we drove back through Sydney, over the Harbour Bridge into Roseville. We had a lovely home cooked meal! It was nice to have a real and good meal again!

I'll be home before you know it. Keep praying for a safe return home! God Bless.
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Walking with Jesus

Blessed be His holy name! Sorry about the delay in updating. The Lord hid my phone charger for a few days. He always knows what's best.

On Fri we were blessed to be present for the blessing of an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St Benedict's Church. Australia is becoming familiar with this particular image and she is starting to pop up. To be at the blessing was very special for me as many of you know my devotion and love for her.

Later that day, we watched a live version of stations of the cross. It was truly beautiful. The person portraying Jesus actually walked the streets of Sydney from one venue to the next reenacting the Passion. It was played on monitors at different sites for the pilgrims to see.
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Blessed be God!

Before I started WYD activities, I didn't know what to expect. I have learned that my plan isn't always God's plan. When you make decisions and plans expect them to change rapidly. Being open and allowing yorself to be on God's time brings many more graces than you could imagine. I've also learned the art of waiting. It's that old saying, rush to wait. Most of the large events involve hours of waiting before the event starts, but if you want a good view, there you stand or sit for 3-4 hours. These are oppurtunities for the good Lord to bring people into your life. Much conversation goes on during this time with people you wouldn't generally meet. God has blessed me with many new friends.

The pope arrived today. We had a superb spot right along the street to see him. Unfortunately, the motorcade went speeding by and we only got a glimpse of him.

Dinner with coajutor Bishop Soto was a treat! He is truly a big spender!

Please continue to keep us pilgrims in prayer. God Bless you all. Praise be Jesus Christ, now and foreve!
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Reverence and Awe

Praise be Jesus Christ! Hey All! Wow! Graces and blessings abound everywhere! Every where I turn today, I've been blessed. WYD officially started late yesterday afternoon. We begun with an Aborigine dance and then an incredible Mass with hundreds of priests, bishops and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims! Part of today, we have attended a concert, hence the picture of the Rockin Friar. God Bless you all.
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Touring Sydney again

Today I got to play tour guide. We took the ferry out again and this time I remembered to take a picture. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are in the background. We finally caught up with the diocese group today.

It is amazing to see all the people that the Holy Spirit has gathered together for the Glory of God! . When I first arrived I was in awe about how many pilgrims I saw. Today there is about five times more. It is really cool to see so many people traveling from all over the globe for this incredible event. Please pray for a successful World Youth Day. All WYD events commence Mon (US time). God Bless You all.
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Among friends again

Another productive day. I attended Mass at the beautiful Cathedral and met up with Uncle Al. We walked through town and had a scrumptious meal consisting of blue crab cakes and steak. Yummmmy! The ride on the ferry was just incredible. The views were spectacular. Praise God for all his goodness and beauty! Today my favorite mateys arrived. I now have a group to identify with! The photo included is the New Australian Nose Flute Band. Look closer you probrably know a few of them! Thank you for your prayers. Keep them coming! God bless you all.
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Walk...Walk...Train...Walk

I took the train to Mary MacKillop Place in N. Sydney (the photo is the chapel at MMP). Bl Mary MacKillop is the first cannonized person from Australia. To me, she embodies the same spirit as Mother Teresa. She has such a beautiful story. She started a new form of religious, the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary and her sisters lived among the poor and cared for destitute women and children. I visited the chapel where she was laid to rest. "Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering whom you are trying to follow. Do not be afraid, love one another, bear with one another, and let charity guide you in all your life.". Blessed Mary MacKillop - words to live by! Keep me and my family in prayer while I am on this pilgrimage. Charles and Savanna leave for camp soon. Blessings and Peace to you all.

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In the Other Half of the Hemisphere

Ay mate. After a 13 hour flight, I am finally in Sydney. So far, I've checked into my hotel and walked to St Mary's Cathedral. Amazing. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati's remains are in the Cathedral along with a new icon of Our Lady of the Southern Cross. The southern cross is a constellation in the night sky that can only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. From the Cathedral, I took a walk to Sydney Harbour and ended here...now I sit on the front stairs of the Opera house updating my blog. Keep checking back. I'll be adding more soon. Keep us in your prayers. God Bless you all.
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See ya on the Other Side of the World!

The countdown begins. I leave in three days for Sydney, Australia. The bag is packed, the camera battery is charged and the credit card is ready for international spending! Seriously, I've been preparing with prayer and ask that you all keep me and my family in prayer while I am gone. I look forward to lots of prayer, learning, praise and worship! Can't wait to share my pilgrimage with all of you. Pope Benedict has asked for prayers for Word Youth Day. Check out this link: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13144. See ya all on the other side of the world! Peace and Blessings...c