Last Day in Sydney

Last day in Sydney. We just got back from a road trip up the coast. We rented a large bus. I drove! (on the left side)

The boys and I surfed this morning. It was kind of like pulling teeth to get them to do it. It was early. It was overcast. But they each had a great time. We were the only ones at the beach, but it was not quiet. These guys are loud as hell.

My camera died so no pics. sorry. I forgot the charger. oops.

The group is tired. All of us. We are ready to come home. The kids are missing their cell phones. One of them complained that she tried to draft a text this morning she wasn't as fast as she normally is. Dios Mio.

It is all pretty classic. The boys are stinky and messy. The girls squeel at scary stories. And they all want McDonald's all the time. (It is called Mackers here) It has been like herding cats on a daily basis. My patience has been tested by similar communique's from the back of the bus when I am driving a huge bus in traffic on the left side of the road.
Well my time is up and the young girl is looking over my shoulder

Saw the Pope

Saw the Pope today. (Bummer.  I have a video.  But there is an error each time I try to upload it to the Blog.  He drove right by us in the Pope mobile.)

I still don’t have a lot of patience for the pomp of the Roman Catholic Church.  I think the kids saw it a little this time.  One of them asked me, “Jimmy, you looked so angry today.”

Oops.

 It just take so much energy. 

 

I don’t understand why some people were crying from just seeing the Pope. I am in awe of the position.  It must be an awe-full weight to carry to really no longer live for self but millions of people who look to you for guidance. I am really excited to hear what he says.  

It appears he is even uncomfortable with all this frivolous display.  He arrived in a 12 boat flotilla!  People dance in front of him in strange costumes.  Priests hand him things to read.  And there must be a someone whispering to him, "Ok, your holiness, you are looking a bit awkward.Be patient.  This will all be over soon. Wave now.

We also heard a Catechesis from a Bishop from the Philippines this morning.  I am glad there was some resonance with the Catechesis I have been giving the kids.  It gave my material some credence.  I don’t have a pink hat and pectoral cross, but I am not a heretic.  So I got that going for me.

the Kids seem to be kinda into my material. The theme of this WYD is “Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit, and you will be my witnesses.”  So I have been trying to give some entry into the mystery of the Trinity, and the Spirit as the beginning, end and center of all Christian theology and Spirituality...  Not one that is three but three that is one.  It is pretty head stuff, it ain’t a rock concert that is for sure.  But I really do think young people have more of an attention span than we give them credit for – and more of a real desire for substantial teaching on the mysteries of God that are “hidden in plain view.”I enjoy rapping with the kids.  

The girls all told me very assertively that I should become a therapist.  I am actually going to take their suggestion seriously being that they told it to me immediately after leaving confession.  The priest told me to not look back to religious life and the priesthood.  That hurt me a little.  That is why it was very strange and wonderful that the girls said such a random and surprising thing as soon as I rejoined the group.  They knew nothing about my struggle with my vocation.

Moving on, I am getting a little tired doing the “Pilgrim” or WYD scheduled event thing.  There isn’t anything in the WYD events that holds any real significance for me.  No sacred space.  It is all too modern and manufactured – and frankly un organized.  It is hard to keep up the energy.  It is also tough traveling with a group.  I am twenty years younger than the other adults and twelve years older than the kids.  I have a lot potential energy and interest at the end of the day with no outlet.

I am making it sound awful because this is my one opportunity to vent the negative.  I am having a great time.  I really love Neil and Patty Raymond, the couple who put the trip together.  I am learning a lot from them, and the kids crack me up.

Day 4

The official start of WYD began today with a Mass on the waterfront of Sydney.  250,000 young people plus bishops, priests and religious packed the grounds for a 4 hour long program and Mass. 

 

There were flags waving, crowds chanting, music blaring, lots of men in funny hats and robes sitting in high places and carrying shiny gold objects. 

 

I had a hard time with this Mass.  I was pretty frustrated. It  isn’t a new feeling.  I didn’t let on to the kids in the group.  I chalked it up to the crowds.  I needed to take a walk after – and get a beer.  I just don’t get anything out of such a spectacle.  I am not sure what others do get out of such an event is positive.

 

First of all, I just can’t take anyone seriously who is wearing a ridiculous gold tri-pointed hat with ribbons falling down his shoulders; and is holding a bright golden shepherd’s staff.  It still kills me to see what Christ railed against in the Pharisees and temple authority (“noble robes, and choice seats”) is so present in our Roman Church.  After Christ’s assault on such a decorated and old boyz club religious authority, it is the Jewish tradition that became Rabbinical, that is, centered in the home and small communities. Meanwhile, we got all Roman and Imperial. WYJD? I wonder if Christ would have ever worn such a ridiculous hat. 

 

Moreover, the Mass is a lot of things, but a Rock Concert it is not.  The Vatican Council for the Laity, who plans these things, sure tried to make it one.  What began, and was meant, to be, a small meal combined with scripture reflection and fellowship has become a performance. That meal signifies and makes present, by the action of the Spirit, God/Christ’s love through a meal and sharing insight into God’s activity in history, the community and our lives.  Even on Sunday in parishes some of that is lost in the performance for a larger audience.  Ask me sometime of the effects of Christendom’s confrontation and engagement with Paganism in the “Golden Age” of Roman Catholic liturgy.

 

Not unlike the medieval fathers who adopted “pagan” elements to make Christian services attractive to nonchristians, to make such a simple thing interesting enough for 250,000 young people to wait for hours and sit hundreds of feet away, the event planners used plenty of new, hip and ultimately tacky gimmicks – as well as turning up the Roman Catholic Pomp and Circumstance.  It seems to work for some.  There were lots of kids and chaperones kneeling on the concrete with knuckles clenched white in prayer throughout the thing.  I feel like I am on a foreign planet.  Our kids seem to feel the same way. 

 

The trip continues.  We are still staying in Auburn, a fantastic and diverse neighborhood in Sydney.  One of the other adults snores, so I am not sleeping so well.  And some of the kids would rather eat burger king than have a cultural experience, but the trip continues.

Day 3

We are in Auburn, a small “suburb” of Sydney.  It is more like a borough or neighborhood.  It is the poorest in Sydney.  It reminds me of Roosevelt avenue in Queens – minus the Ecuadorians. 

 

The neighborhood is mainly Chinese, African refugees and Lebanese.  The school and church we are staying in is wonderfully diverse and welcoming.  We spent the day playing every game imaginable with young Africans, Tongans, Sri Lankan and Lebanese kids, young and old.  It was a true delight.

 

All of the kids in our group (from St. Cecilia’s Parish)  came out of their “cool” shells and enjoyed in simple childlike joy – especially me.

 

The official events of World Youth Day begin today.  We will go downtown for the opening Mass at Barangaroo and following festival and food.  

I am here in Australia for World Youth Day.  The largest youth gathering in the world.  This one happens to be really Catholic.  500,000 Catholic Youth and the Pope are here.  We slept the first two nights in hangers, on the concrete with 1,000 other pilgrims from all over the world.  

As always, the soccer ball was an amazing catalyst for community building.  The Frizbee was more an object of wonder and confusion.

The kids in the group are awesome.  They are slowly getting into this whole thing.  Like me, things overtly Catholic freak them out a little.  We are doing morning Catechesis together - in our own way.  I understand they are a little more interested in other things.  One of the boys stayed up all night making out with a Kiwi girl from a Catholic Boarding school.  gotta love that.  It really flows well into our lessons of the HOly Spirit.  

More later

I am finally going to get this blog thing going.  Karen Muzi, this is for you.  Nicole B, tell me if my blog is busted.  Ok.  Let’s begin:

 

It is official.  I am 30yrs old.  The year-mark at which I was supposed to have something, if not all, figured out. No longer a young person and established as an adult.  Although the day and age came with little fuss or anxiety, the voice remains.  My experience just edits its comments. 

 

Status report:

Living in Portland

Moved here for a girl, but I am single again

In the process of putting down roots nonetheless.

I am a Minister!?

And I am in Australia as I type this…

 

More about all that later.

 

Here are some photos from my Portland 30^th B-day party.