I'm really feeling the exhaustion, as I write this, after having been out tonight at our Diocese's WYD Pilgrim Blessing Mass. It was a very taxing night mentally, as well as physically.

Thankfully, I can report that I am now in possession of both my Diocesan Pilgrim and Pilgrimage Travel Provider Kits. I know have a better idea of what I have to pack as well as how much extra space is now available thanks to the new cross-body satchel.

Goodnight.


Vincent Cavanagh
17 Jul 2023

Previous WYD Formation Session blogposts:
Pre-Session #1 Thoughts
Session #1
Session #2
Session #3
WYD Travel Itinerary UPDATE

Our 3rd World Youth Day Formation Session was held last Tuesday (20 June) in the same venue as Session #2. There wasn’t all that much new to talk about.

We had confirmation of the multiplicity of different flight paths/times we would all be taking as pilgrim small groups going into Europe and coming out again due to post-COVID-related travel booking arrangements. I've illustrated my own flight path below.

Small updates about diocesan-branded WYD merchandise and clothing. The diocese’s WYD app has been approved by Apple, but no mention of Google at all.

We had a rough explanation/run-through of how the Rise Up Catechesis session are supposed to run; our diocese will be the Animating Host Team for the English-speaking sessions for a 3rd WYD. Think conversation ice-breakers and running around with wireless microphones to multiple other English-speaking pilgrims from across the world inside as-yet-to-be-determined venues.​

My rather lacklustre reporting of this is because I’ve only in the last 24hrs found out that I will be the only one from my small group flying out on the first of the 3 flights from Rome to Lisbon on 31 July. I will of course be travelling with other pilgrims from the same bus group; but before this oblique gut-punch, I was already processing that I was being flown into Lisbon by Ryanair. An airline that any aware passenger needs no introduction to.

​And I am still recovering from whatever laid my low after my cross-border travels from almost 3 weeks ago. Other than that, I am at least slightly closer to starting a picture that’s been waiting since before my afore-mentioned sojourn.

​Until next time.

​
Vincent Cavanagh
28 Jun 2023​

The reason that there hasn’t been much news from me as late is because I have been sick at home for the best part of a week after having done a crazy 5-and-a-half-day round journey with my father from Sydney to Melbourne, to Adelaide, and back to Sydney again, all by rail.

​I hope to be in a fit state to attend the 3rd WYD Formation Session this coming Tuesday (20 June), God willing.

Until then, I have put together this collection of relevant YouTube Travel Videos for my fellow diocesan pilgrims and for anyone else planning on travelling to Italy or Portugal.

I do admit that most of these videos are from Mark Wolters and his Wolters World YouTube channel. This is because he and his family are inveterate travellers with a wealth of lived experience and, in comparison to other travel advice channels, he aims to be helpful rather than fear-mongering (case in point: the Scam City tv series, widely available on YouTube).

I would highly recommend checking out Wolters World for further travel advice that I can't share due to how long this post is already getting 😉

#ChisholmWalkSydney

​Vincent Cavanagh
~21 May 2023

Our second Diocesan WYD Formation Session was held in Sydney last night (16 May 2023) and it came preloaded with post-WYD Event promotions, zero Pilgrimage Itinerary updates, a do-it-yourself Spicks and Specks round, and a side order of cringe through the conscription of ELO's Mr Blue Sky. The less said about that particular episode, the better.

Apart from finally getting to see what the Diocesan and Travel Provider merchandise (only visual mock-ups, nothing physical), the main highlight of the night was the reflection from Fr Stephen Wayoyi AJ (Apostles of Jesus Missionaries) on The Road to Emmaus, Gospel of Luke 24:13-35.

He told us that we are all, on this pilgrimage, invited to an important encounter with Jesus, just as the disciples encountered Him on their way to Emmaus. Their sorrow from the crucifixion was turned into joy by meeting Jesus on the way. So to are we called to bring our own daily sorrows, pains and discouragements with us on this pilgrimage; and to be open to God. To give him all that is weighing us down, that He may also turn it into joy. Joy in Him.

Remember: the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Be not afraid! We don't have to give up. God is with us. We are not here [in this hall, on this pilgrimage] by mistake. He has chosen us. He is asking us to journey with him. He wants to be a companion with us. To remind us always, that God is real.

Then Fr Stephen finished by asking us to say to the person next to us, "We are together again."
And he concluded the reflection by leading us together in song:

Something good is going to happen.

Vincent Cavanagh
~17 May 2023

Not all, but most of Fr Stephen Wayoyi's rendition of "We Are Together Again" from last night's 2nd World Youth Day Formation session (16 May 2023).

Vincent Cavanagh
~17 May 2023

#ChisholmWalkSydney

Vincent Cavanagh
~30 April 2023

Apart from the odd bit of raucousness and louder-than-strictly-necessary music, today's World Youth Day Formation Session #1 was reassuring in some places and most instructive for the rest.

Baring our bishop being the cause of a brief bout of embarrassment to myself with some overzealous joining-in, and encouragement on his part, with the recitation/practice of our Pilgrim Anthem. But that says more about me and my personal tastes than it does anything about senior clerical habits (pardon the pun).

I am left with much food for thought, and the odd form to fill out.


Vincent Cavanagh
~ 25 March 2023