WOYWW: Friendship & Family

Did you know that yesterday, July 30, was International Day of Friendship? The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.  "On this International Day of Friendship, let us cultivate warm ties that strengthen our common humanity and promote the well-being of the human family."- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

I think What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday is a fine example of friendship between peoples and countries!  Thank you, dear WOYWW friends for your friendship.  Maybe we should find out how many countries are represented in this UN of desks!  What country are you from?

And among my best friends are the members of my family!  I am blessed to have three sisters and one brother.  All of us sisters work together and as some of you may know, my sister, Patsy (who actually introduced me to WOYWW) and I live right next to each other!

Happy WOYWW, dear blog friends!

World Youth Day 2011: Part 2

Have you ever been in a tent filled with energetic and joyful young people from all over the world, praying, singing and raising their hands in praise?   All over Madrid, during the World Youth Day celebrations last August 16 to 21, there were events like this going on!  Being with these young people during this special time was truly a faith building experience for my whole family.

My two children (21 and 17 years old) helped host Soul Food Café, "a space where young people could gather at any time during the Youth Festival.  They had a continuous programme of music, interviews, panel discussions, breaks, comedy, theatre, dance, art exhibitions, and more."

"The Soul Food Café was a meeting point where young disciples could connect with a global network of other young Catholics.  It was a center of international meetings, a chance for youth from different nations to get to know each other in a positive, relaxed faith filled environment."

"The three main goals of the events within the Soul Food Café were
- to stir faith (through prayer, exposition of Christian culture in art and music)
- awaken hope (through seeing and hearing stories of Christians from all over the World)
- grow in love (through meeting others, networking, relationships and tasting the universal church community)"

Indeed, our faith was stirred as we prayed with and for one another, as we listened to the performers...

and as we admired the art made by different artists and would be artists.  

Indeed our hope was awakened as we heard stories like the one shared by a young man who was told by the doctor that he would have to have his leg in a cast for months.  He shared that after only a few days, his leg was totally healed after his friends prayed over him.  Yes, even today, even among the young, miracles do happen!

And indeed, our love grew as we got to meet many different people, young and young once, of different races and speaking different languages, but amazingly, brothers and sisters, part of one body.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Linking up with Brag on God Friday, Spiritual Sundays and Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday. 

World Youth Day 2011: Part 1

 

What started out as a desire in my heart as I read a blog post about World Youth Day in Sydney (in 2008) became reality last month when my family went to Madrid...

 

 

Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, World Youth Day, was not actually a day but six blessed days. The intention of these days was "to bring us closer to Christ" and for those who come "to meet Christ and strengthen our friendship with him."  

What a joy to see so many young people attend!  Being among them as they prayed and sang, chanted and clapped their cheers for Pope Benedict XVI was an amazing experience.  At times, walking alongside them, so energetic and joyful, I would be close to tears, but of course, that wouldn't be "cool", so I would quickly blink them away. 

What power and joy there is in community, in being together as we live out our faith.  There is strength and encouragement and the courage to proclaim our identity and faith.  Surely, if by themselves, these young people would not be as joyful and energetic when they had to wait for hours in the hot sun or walk long distances or live in such spartan conditions.  And so it is with us, in our daily lives.

As the Pope said at his arrival in Madrid, "Here on this Day, they (the youth) have a special opportunity to gather together their aspirations, to share the richness of their cultures and experiences, motivate each other along a journey of faith and life, in which some think they are
alone or ignored in their daily existence. But they are not alone. Many people of the same age have the same aspirations and, entrusting themselves completely to Christ, know that they really have a future before them and are not afraid of the decisive commitments which fulfill their entire lives." - the Pope's WYD Messages to the Youth

The World Youth Day events formally started on August 16 with an Opening Mass.  There were so many people (both young and young at heart) that we couldn't even get close enough to see the stage...

We could only see a video screen...

But being among the young people and talking with them was a blessing in itself...

After the Mass, as we strolled to the plazas of Madrid, there were concerts everywhere, with dancing and singing and celebrating.   What a wonderful start to a six lovely, faith filled days!

 

Linking up with Brag on God Friday, Spiritual Sundays and Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday.