Have a quick look at the journey so far!
Friday 12 August 2011
Saturday 30 July 2011
I might be walking next to the Pope in August.
Well, I COULD be. And so could you, for that matter!
The amazing WYD team have launched this competition which, with just a few clicks of the mouse, could get you one of those few and much-coveted places by the Holy Father's side.
It's such an incredible idea. I don't think I'll get it, and I certainly don't deserve it, but I really - really - really want it.
Lately I've been YouTube- and Google-ing (are these not recognised verbs yet? I Google. You Google. He/She Googles) the trips of the Pope this year, and am duly astonished. Lourdes - Croatia - Repubic of San Marino (had to Google that one.). He puts myself, a studentus non-ambulemus to shame, and I blame JK Rowling entirely for that truly awful Harry Potterism.
But - to walk next to him? What would it be like? What would he say? Heck, what would I say? Speaking of which, I tweeted at the Pope the other day.
It was pretty cool actually. I'm sure that he didn't actually have time to read the millions of Tweets coming his way, but hey! It felt like he was that little bit closer. Viva el Papa!
The amazing WYD team have launched this competition which, with just a few clicks of the mouse, could get you one of those few and much-coveted places by the Holy Father's side.
It's such an incredible idea. I don't think I'll get it, and I certainly don't deserve it, but I really - really - really want it.
Lately I've been YouTube- and Google-ing (are these not recognised verbs yet? I Google. You Google. He/She Googles) the trips of the Pope this year, and am duly astonished. Lourdes - Croatia - Repubic of San Marino (had to Google that one.). He puts myself, a studentus non-ambulemus to shame, and I blame JK Rowling entirely for that truly awful Harry Potterism.
But - to walk next to him? What would it be like? What would he say? Heck, what would I say? Speaking of which, I tweeted at the Pope the other day.
It was pretty cool actually. I'm sure that he didn't actually have time to read the millions of Tweets coming his way, but hey! It felt like he was that little bit closer. Viva el Papa!
Less than two weeks until WYD. EXCITED.
Monday 16 May 2011
http://ukpilgrims.com/ check it out!!!
http://ukpilgrims.com/2011/04/27/wyd-merchandise-photoshoot/... the photos are still to come!
http://ukpilgrims.com/2011/04/27/wyd-merchandise-photoshoot/... the photos are still to come!
Saturday 16 April 2011
Madrid knows a thing or two about culture.
And it's gathering it all together in August: 300 activities from 37 countries of all the continents. We're talking movies, music, plays, art and photography exhibitions. Personally I got super excited about the mention of a street theatre (I know right?!??!) showing inspiring and thought-provoking movies (the best type. Likeable as they are, rom-coms get predictable after a bit, ya know?)
Oooh and it's free if you've registered. You can still register by the way, the WYD-ians have made sure you can do that right up to the very last day. Isn't that nice folks?
And this is just fabulous: two talented artists are creating a manga about Pope Benedict's life. Read about it here. Cutting-edge and fresh! Being a manga-fan myself, I can't wait to see it.
Just read the press release and as you can probably tell, I'm all woooooah about everything.
Absolutely cannot wait!
Oooh and it's free if you've registered. You can still register by the way, the WYD-ians have made sure you can do that right up to the very last day. Isn't that nice folks?
And this is just fabulous: two talented artists are creating a manga about Pope Benedict's life. Read about it here. Cutting-edge and fresh! Being a manga-fan myself, I can't wait to see it.
Just read the press release and as you can probably tell, I'm all woooooah about everything.
Absolutely cannot wait!
Tuesday 12 April 2011
It ain't about the money, money, money
...or maybe it is?
There's bound to be someone else in the world who can't go to WYD11 for entirely money-related reasons. Of course, the fabulous WYD committee have thought about that one already: check out this article to see how other people in the world have changed that - and, perhaps, how you can change it too.
This is a really beautiful manifestation of Christianity - not just talking about unselfish deeds, but doing it. Pass that article on to anyone you think may be able to help. In the words of the article: it might be an even greater gift to God as well as another to stay at home and pay for someone else to go.
Of course, the WYD team in Spain are already working monetary miracles in that whole-hearted way the Spanish have. I don't pretend to be well-up enough in my financial knowledge to say how and why this works, but each country - so far as I understand it - is allocated a registration fee depending on how much they can afford. Poorer countries are charged less than richer countries.
And even then, 210 Euros is an astonishingly small sum, considering what Spain are doing: pulling out all the stops for their soon-to-be visitors... but those details are for another blog-post. (This may or may not be a subtle hint to follow the blog :]).
And yet - somehow I think it's the story of the widow's mite all over again, 2000-and-something years later: we give what we can, as much as God is asking for - and that's as much as anyone can do, like the widow who gave God her only pennies. Perhaps for those of us who can - it is about the money (money, mon- stop, Chris); equally, for the majority of us who've just about scraped our own plane tickets to Madrid, it's more about the inside: what can we give Him on this pilgrimage to Madrid that may cost us just as much? But, like the widow, the cost isn't so important - it's the value of generosity. It's not valuable if it doesn't cost.
So, to continue with the appropriate words of Jessie J: It ain't about the money, money, money / we just wanna make the world dance / forget about the price tag
(I'll refrain from doing the cha-ching ba-bling bit. I can never get it right).
Having said that, we're not getting to Madrid with just our charm and superior hitch-hiking skills: here at Tamezin we're buzzing with ideas for fund-raising: from cake-selling (one of the club-girls makes a wickedly tempting lemon cake) to car-boot sales (more successful than we ever imagined), from sponsored study sessions (we're talking 8 or 9 hours a day) to car-washing sprees.
Less than 130 days to WYD11 - can you say excited!?
There's bound to be someone else in the world who can't go to WYD11 for entirely money-related reasons. Of course, the fabulous WYD committee have thought about that one already: check out this article to see how other people in the world have changed that - and, perhaps, how you can change it too.
This is a really beautiful manifestation of Christianity - not just talking about unselfish deeds, but doing it. Pass that article on to anyone you think may be able to help. In the words of the article: it might be an even greater gift to God as well as another to stay at home and pay for someone else to go.
Of course, the WYD team in Spain are already working monetary miracles in that whole-hearted way the Spanish have. I don't pretend to be well-up enough in my financial knowledge to say how and why this works, but each country - so far as I understand it - is allocated a registration fee depending on how much they can afford. Poorer countries are charged less than richer countries.
And even then, 210 Euros is an astonishingly small sum, considering what Spain are doing: pulling out all the stops for their soon-to-be visitors... but those details are for another blog-post. (This may or may not be a subtle hint to follow the blog :]).
And yet - somehow I think it's the story of the widow's mite all over again, 2000-and-something years later: we give what we can, as much as God is asking for - and that's as much as anyone can do, like the widow who gave God her only pennies. Perhaps for those of us who can - it is about the money (money, mon- stop, Chris); equally, for the majority of us who've just about scraped our own plane tickets to Madrid, it's more about the inside: what can we give Him on this pilgrimage to Madrid that may cost us just as much? But, like the widow, the cost isn't so important - it's the value of generosity. It's not valuable if it doesn't cost.
So, to continue with the appropriate words of Jessie J: It ain't about the money, money, money / we just wanna make the world dance / forget about the price tag
(I'll refrain from doing the cha-ching ba-bling bit. I can never get it right).
Having said that, we're not getting to Madrid with just our charm and superior hitch-hiking skills: here at Tamezin we're buzzing with ideas for fund-raising: from cake-selling (one of the club-girls makes a wickedly tempting lemon cake) to car-boot sales (more successful than we ever imagined), from sponsored study sessions (we're talking 8 or 9 hours a day) to car-washing sprees.
Less than 130 days to WYD11 - can you say excited!?
Saturday 2 April 2011
back to basics
"Three days in silence!? You ARE joking! How could I go for three entire days without speaking?"
...Is exactly what went through my mind when I was told that I was supposed to spend the retreat I attended last weekend in silence.
I pretty much gave up on the idea of going for three days without speaking before even thinking of attempting it, but it was not until my friend Asun (who was in charge of running the retreat) looked me in the eye and said "give it a go, what do you have to lose?".
But in fact it was definitely not what I expected, after about one hour of not speaking that awkward feeling I anticipated was nothing but a memory.
I think i would go as far as saying the silence was what made those three days so powerful!!!
Let's try it...
Think about the last time you stopped and analysed your life?
Think about the last time you sat quietly with yourself and just thought of, well, nothing?...
"I don't have time to do that" you may be thinking; i don't blame you, that is exactly what I thought when I was asked to go on this retreat.
Often the time we think we do not have is spent worrying about not having time!
(confused?...Let me explain)
It is so essential, living with all the technological distractions and constant reminders that we could be doing something ELSE, that we go back to basics.
Take a step back and think about what our aspirations, our goals and our achievements are.
It is moments like these that have become increasingly rare as age progresses but by simply going back-in our minds to the days when things were perhaps less complicated we can not only clear our minds and be able to continue moving forward confidently in life, but we enable ourselves to look at life through a different perspective.
Going on retreat was like escaping from all the worries and pressures life throws at us. It felt as if I was in a totally different country (even though it was only about 40 minuets down the M25).
That feeling of tranquillity and self confidence was something that is very hard to grasp on a daily basis as we get caught up in the days activities.
But you do not need to travel anywhere or take a 3 day break to achieve this sense of calm. It is simple...
Find a quiet area where you can sit and relax.
Talk to yourself as if you are God reviewing your life from his eyes, pointing out the good and bad aspects:
Aspects you may want to change, aspects you are proud of.
Remember to talk to God!
That is what he is there for...(well it is not the only reason he is there, but that is a totally different conversation)!
It is hard to believe that something so simple and easy to do, can have such incredibly effective results!
The retreat left me with a renewed self esteem and a positive attitude towards life. I came home worried about having to face the stresses I escaped from but soon realised that many of my personal concerns were only psychological worries I had stirred up and overrated in my mind.
One thing i definitely learnt was to Never underestimate the power of the human mind!
It can completely change your outlook on life.
For me the weekend was a step away from confusion and into simplicity and clarification.
World youth day is the perfect opportunity to do just this!
To escape for a while and even though peace and quiet is not guaranteed, what is guaranteed is a new beginning...But only if you let it happen!
The best way to go to world youth day is with an open mind, with an optimistic approach to your faith and an interest to become more involved in our faith!
So...As Asun said,"give it a go, what do you have to lose?"
An open mind is sometimes all you need, to look to the future, strip back all the complication and stress in life and go back to basics!
...Is exactly what went through my mind when I was told that I was supposed to spend the retreat I attended last weekend in silence.
I pretty much gave up on the idea of going for three days without speaking before even thinking of attempting it, but it was not until my friend Asun (who was in charge of running the retreat) looked me in the eye and said "give it a go, what do you have to lose?".
But in fact it was definitely not what I expected, after about one hour of not speaking that awkward feeling I anticipated was nothing but a memory.
I think i would go as far as saying the silence was what made those three days so powerful!!!
Let's try it...
Think about the last time you stopped and analysed your life?
Think about the last time you sat quietly with yourself and just thought of, well, nothing?...
"I don't have time to do that" you may be thinking; i don't blame you, that is exactly what I thought when I was asked to go on this retreat.
Often the time we think we do not have is spent worrying about not having time!
(confused?...Let me explain)
It is so essential, living with all the technological distractions and constant reminders that we could be doing something ELSE, that we go back to basics.
Take a step back and think about what our aspirations, our goals and our achievements are.
It is moments like these that have become increasingly rare as age progresses but by simply going back-in our minds to the days when things were perhaps less complicated we can not only clear our minds and be able to continue moving forward confidently in life, but we enable ourselves to look at life through a different perspective.
Going on retreat was like escaping from all the worries and pressures life throws at us. It felt as if I was in a totally different country (even though it was only about 40 minuets down the M25).
That feeling of tranquillity and self confidence was something that is very hard to grasp on a daily basis as we get caught up in the days activities.
But you do not need to travel anywhere or take a 3 day break to achieve this sense of calm. It is simple...
Find a quiet area where you can sit and relax.
Talk to yourself as if you are God reviewing your life from his eyes, pointing out the good and bad aspects:
Aspects you may want to change, aspects you are proud of.
Remember to talk to God!
That is what he is there for...(well it is not the only reason he is there, but that is a totally different conversation)!
It is hard to believe that something so simple and easy to do, can have such incredibly effective results!
The retreat left me with a renewed self esteem and a positive attitude towards life. I came home worried about having to face the stresses I escaped from but soon realised that many of my personal concerns were only psychological worries I had stirred up and overrated in my mind.
One thing i definitely learnt was to Never underestimate the power of the human mind!
It can completely change your outlook on life.
For me the weekend was a step away from confusion and into simplicity and clarification.
World youth day is the perfect opportunity to do just this!
To escape for a while and even though peace and quiet is not guaranteed, what is guaranteed is a new beginning...But only if you let it happen!
The best way to go to world youth day is with an open mind, with an optimistic approach to your faith and an interest to become more involved in our faith!
So...As Asun said,"give it a go, what do you have to lose?"
An open mind is sometimes all you need, to look to the future, strip back all the complication and stress in life and go back to basics!
Friday 25 March 2011
6 teenagers in the same house, silent (more or less) for 2 days.
Are they ill? Are they unconscious? Are they just plugged into their iPods?
No to all of the above!
My other half - yes Catherine, that's you - is going on a silent retreat this weekend for WYD preparation. Round of applause, people!
Putting aside one's busy social life, studies, work, etc. seems like madness - no, that's an understatement. It's insanity to the self-respecting modern-day teenager. Especially when you have a party, a cinema trip, shopping spree, or even just study what with the exams looming, lined up for that Friday/Sat evening.
And although I'm fairly sure I'll be overwhelmed by a mountain of scepticism, I'm convinced that the times when it's busiest or when you're firmly convinced that you don't have time are the times when you need to sort out what's going on on the inside.
Why? Maybe because spending those 2 days alone with God will be the best-selfish thing you've ever done in your life. Yes I did just say best-selfish. No I'm not flunking my English degree. It makes perfect sense: a retreat is there for you. God is there for you, trying to help you 'detox your life', as a friend of mine said recently.
Besides, World Youth Day can't be enjoyed unless we understand why we're going - to meet Christ. If we can't recognise him enough in our own country to give him just 2 days of our time, why on earth are we bothering to go to Spain to do so for six days?
'Chris,' I hear you say - probably with a very grim look in your eye - 'are you trying to get me to go on a retreat with those oh-so-persuasive words?'
Gosh, I reply, well yes I am.
There's going to be a WYD prep retreat organised by the one-and-only Tamezin in May - dates to be confirmed - so watch this space. Do yourself a favour and go!
No to all of the above!
My other half - yes Catherine, that's you - is going on a silent retreat this weekend for WYD preparation. Round of applause, people!
Putting aside one's busy social life, studies, work, etc. seems like madness - no, that's an understatement. It's insanity to the self-respecting modern-day teenager. Especially when you have a party, a cinema trip, shopping spree, or even just study what with the exams looming, lined up for that Friday/Sat evening.
And although I'm fairly sure I'll be overwhelmed by a mountain of scepticism, I'm convinced that the times when it's busiest or when you're firmly convinced that you don't have time are the times when you need to sort out what's going on on the inside.
Why? Maybe because spending those 2 days alone with God will be the best-selfish thing you've ever done in your life. Yes I did just say best-selfish. No I'm not flunking my English degree. It makes perfect sense: a retreat is there for you. God is there for you, trying to help you 'detox your life', as a friend of mine said recently.
Besides, World Youth Day can't be enjoyed unless we understand why we're going - to meet Christ. If we can't recognise him enough in our own country to give him just 2 days of our time, why on earth are we bothering to go to Spain to do so for six days?
'Chris,' I hear you say - probably with a very grim look in your eye - 'are you trying to get me to go on a retreat with those oh-so-persuasive words?'
Gosh, I reply, well yes I am.
There's going to be a WYD prep retreat organised by the one-and-only Tamezin in May - dates to be confirmed - so watch this space. Do yourself a favour and go!
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