Abundance is the theme at the L&L Site. The place was rockin' throughout Day 1 of WYD. We hosted pilgrims from Oregon, Maine, Wisconsin, California, Chicago, Texas, Canada and Australia for the morning catechesis and a large group from Chaminade and Kellenberg HS in NY crashed our site so the Church was PACKED with the aisles filled and people spilling out into the courtyard. A spirit of joy and anticipation filled the air. The session began with some praise and worship led by our Sisters and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal band, then Helen Alvare (former pro-life spokeswoman for the USCCB, now law professor at George Mason U.) gave a reflection on the day's theme: "You are Chosen by God," we entered into a time of Eucharistic Adoration before the catechisis with Bishop Joseph Pepe from Las Vegas and Mass.
Pilgrims from many different countries joined us throughout the afternoon for the concert with Matt Maher in the sun-bathed piazza and the various talks on life issues and the theology of the body in the University auditorium and classrooms. The Church was alive with pilgrims praying and going to confession throughout the day and into the evening. After vespers and dinner (provided by the local lebonese community) we hosted a "late night" talk show: Under the Southern Cross that featured a great cast: was a band from Tongo, Celtic Spirit - an amazing family from Canada whose 7 children all play the fiddle and do irish step dancing, Edwardo from the movie Bella stopped by and Helen Alvere, Mother Agnes and Supreme Knight Carl Anderson were interviewed. It all wrapped up with chanting night prayer together and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Then we ran to catch one of the last buses going back to the boat house and dove in bed (for an extended nap) before heading out this am for Day2!
Gotta run - we're all heading down to Darling Harbor to meet the "boatacade" - the POPE IS HERE and is going to be arriving at Banagaroo on a boat to greet the young people of the world!
We'll post some pictures later.
Sr. Mary Elizabeth, SV
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