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May 25, 2007
Just wondering...
A couple of items sent my way.
As you know, World Youth Day is coming up next summer in Sydney. A couple of weeks ago, the event's official hymn was announced:
The theme song for World Youth Day 2008 was written by singer/songwriter Guy Sebastian, the winner of the first Australian Idol contest in 2003.
"Receive the Power" was written by Sebastian, who will also perform the song at the World Youth Day in July 2008.
In choosing the song, the World Youth Day coordinator, Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, said that "we wanted a song that was stirring and uplifting."
He added: "The ... theme had to measure up thematically and be an anthem -- yet be easily sung by people of all language backgrounds.
"Above all, it had to engage young people and capture the theme of World Youth Day 2008 -- namely, that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses."
Bishop Fisher remarked that when the World Youth Day organizers heard "Receive the Power," they knew that they had found their anthem: "To put it simply, 'Receive the Power' hit the mark."
The 47-year-old bishop added that Sebastian "knew we needed a song that would inspire the young people of the world to take up Christ's challenge to go to the ends of the earth and be his witnesses; for many people in the Northern Hemisphere, Australia is the ends of the earth!"
A demo recording was delivered to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Vatican dicastery overseeing the youth day preparations, which granted its approval and support during Bishop Fisher's visit to Rome in April.
Bishop Fisher affirmed, "We are confident 'Receive the Power' will rally young Catholics of all backgrounds to World Youth Day in 2008."
Since winning the Australian Idol title, Sebastian has since released three top-five albums and seven top-20 singles, including three that rose to the top of the charts.
And the days since the announcement, however, interest in Sebastian has been piqued because of what he said in this interview:
There was a mini-debate about you saying you had a lot of gay friends and so were offended by the word "faggot", but that homosexuality surely clashes with your Christian beliefs?
That's the sad side of Christianity. That's not how it's meant to be. I've been to gay clubs heaps of times. That's the old fundamentalist way of thinking that's unfortunately spread through all these generations. They miss the whole point of Christianity which is love. God loves people whether they are black, white, gay, straight, bisexual, whatever. As a Christian, we're never going to get close to being sinless or perfect, and I'm no better than anybody on this earth, but our No.1 goal is to be as loving as we can. We aim to be like God, so for me, I think that's a really ugly side of when people get lost in religion. It's funny, Shannon (Noll) gets called that, Anthony (Callea), all my friends in the industry. That's the word everyone picks -- as soon as you're in the industry you're gay.
You're not anti gay marriage?
I'm not really anti anything. If you're a gay couple why not? I don't really have a stance because I don't know what it's like to be told you're not allowed to marry somebody. That doesn't seem fair to me.
So. What's the problem? Can't argue with God's love for absolutely everyone and the understanding that we all stand together as sinners, hoping for salvation and the reprehensibility of name-calling. The problem is not the personal integrity or even opinions of those who create art (insert requisite Carvaggio reference here. As well as any of the rest of us, naturally.) In the times in which we live, communication is instant, and perceptions are formed - instantly. Wouldn't it have been great, for example, for WYD to work hard to find a Catholic composer who's penned a great song, instead of going the celebrity route? To symbolize some support of Catholics pursuing vocations in arts and entertainment, rather than sending the message, implicitly, that we just don't have it in us? And the problems with a non-Catholic forward and center during this event, who doesn't share our faith - in the Eucharist (which is always so central to WYD) or, in some cases, apparently, moral issues - well, the issue isn't inclusivity. This isn't a Festival of Christian Faiths. It's a Catholic event. The issue is...is the best we can do as part of modeling our ideal so model life as a Catholic for our Catholic young adults? We'll file it under "Missed Opportunities." Although if this experience exposes Sebastian to the presence of Jesus in the Catholic Church..maybe not a missed opportunity. But it's easy to see how the media will play this. And it won't be good. It will be more "fundamentalist institution" v. "love of Jesus" business.
Secondly, on a more intellectual plane, a tussel over tenure at St. Thomas Unrecounted at Sheila Liaugminas' blog.
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
Comments
So is there anywhere on the web we can hear a clip of the song? I'd be interested.
Posted by: Darren at May 25, 2007 1:38:33 PM
(Joke ahead): They might have well have asked Madonna--at least she claims some past connection to Holy Mother Church! Good post, Amy.
Posted by: wolftracker at May 25, 2007 1:49:31 PM
Given that it is already completely wrongheaded for the Catholic Church to encourage the error of generationalism by hosting rallies premised upon it, I don't think we should expect much in the selection of the music.
I wonder if this will be playing softly in the background as the Pope gives a speech telling those is attendance that they are not merely the products of postmodern consumer culture. Or maybe the organizers will just mingle through the crowds to whisper in people's ears: Yes you are, yes you are... You are unable to appreciate anything more profound or ancient than Australian Idol...
Speaking as a Catholic, WYD is an embarassment. Speaking as a young adult, WYD is an insult.
Posted by: Daniel Mitsui at May 25, 2007 2:14:10 PM
The problem with a varia post is... the important items can get lost. (Not that the WYD song isn't important - it is). I think you need to do a separate post on the firing of Dr. Siobhan Nash-Marshall from the University of St. Thomas, on an apparent whim by Fr. Dennis Dease (kyrie eleison).
Here is what I posted over at Shelia's blog:
This came as a complete and total shock to me - I have been attempting to find any further information on what exactly happened, however this is a complete outrage and yet another black mark against our fair university and a horrendous loss to our outstanding Philosophy department. I hope and pray that OUR grievance with Fr. Dease's management style is resolved. I have it in mind to write directly to our Archbishops (current and incoming) about this matter as, from what I can tell, there is no logical reason for this dismissal other than "because I don't like you and I can" on the part of Fr. Dease. And we already know that writing to Fr. Dease isn't going to do anything. And neither are the petitions now going around campus (worthy though they are) going to be of any use unless they also go to Fr. Dease's boss.
I was a student in Andrew's class with Dr. Nash-Marshall (Epistemology), and did my senior thesis in Philosophy under her watch - and I could not have had any better of a professor to do it under. Dr. Siobhan was, and is, the professor I respect the most of all the ones I have had, in any discipline. I was just thinking the other day of how I longed to return to our "jam sessions", with 7 of us crammed into Dr. Siobhan's office, with her going around the circle quick as anything, holding 7 different conversations at once! I remember at the time thinking that this must have been what it was like to be with Aquinas dictating. :) Her honesty, her dedication, her devotion to teaching with truth and love - it is incomprehensible to me how this woman, who LIVES to teach, who knows in her heart that this is not a "career" for her but her VOCATION, can be shunted aside and "canned" for what is, apparently, political reasons. Disgusting.
I can't think of a single student in the class I had with her, or any of the other students I know who had her, who wouldn't back me up on praising her skill and dedication as a prof. She is really unparalleled in her deftness and ability to parse out difficult concepts (at a rapid-fire pace!). Though I guess for teaching undergrads she can be TOO quick, that mind of hers works triple time. And, I can't say that I saw her having any really close friends or associates, she's kind of cut from the same cloth as Athanasius! She is as smart as anyone I've met or studied under, and the fact that she sees enough of a case to sue tells me that she DOES. There is no way she would be spending the expense to bring in lawyers unless this is a real case - and that makes me wonder just what on earth Fr. Dease was thinking. He must not really know her, not like her students know her! If he did, he would have known better than to do what he's doing! And now, the poor man, he's caught. I think he's made one political move too many, and right on the cusp of a new Archbishop's tenure (pun intended) who does NOT play games!
And here I thought it was the Theology department that was the source of all controversy!
I will stand up anywhere, at any time, to speak for Dr. Nash-Marshall - just contact me with the when and where. email me at marygibson81 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Romain' Roman at May 25, 2007 2:38:11 PM
Regarding the song for World Youth Day, I would like to know the words before dismissing it solely due to the viewpoint of its composer. The song may be a very good expression of the power of the Holy Spirit. Music is a powerful communicator, and who knows that someone's heart may be changed from it? I think that the attitude of Mr. Sebastian will be a very distant second place in the thoughts of the WYD participants if the song is a good one.
Also, I 'm surprised by his opinion re gay behavior. That is not the teaching of the Assembly of God which teaches traditional Christian morals, and whose members are generally very pious people.
Posted by: AEF at May 25, 2007 2:57:33 PM
Having escaped the Assemblies of God Brownsville Revival/Toronto Blessing movement myself, this whole thing creeped me out. BR/TB was in Australia before it came to the U.S. When those people talked about "recieving the power of the Spirit," they meant the ability to boss the Holy Spirit around and order Him to do this or that. In other words, taking power from the Holy Spirit, not being a vessel through which the Holy Spirit could work.
Of course it's possible that this Sebastian fellow wasn't subjected to all of that. Not every AG church jumped on that bandwagon.
Posted by: Sparki at May 25, 2007 3:32:43 PM
Interesting that Bishop Nienstead, newly appointed to Minniappolis/St Paul has been also appointed by the pope to oversee the University of St Thomas. The last article I read by the president of St Thomas described Pope Benedict XVI as "stupid". Not only did that strike me as a classless way for a president of Catholic university to describe a pope but it also seemed like he was a very frustrated liberal. Well, now he has a pretty orthodox bishop to deal with. Should be interesting.
Posted by: Randy at May 25, 2007 4:27:03 PM
World Youth Day is coming up next summer in Sydney
Would that be their summer, or ours?
Posted by: c matt at May 25, 2007 4:32:31 PM
In response to Daniel's post:
I am sorry, but World Youth Day is absolutely not an embarrassment or an insult to the church or to the youth it is held for! It is a tremendous vessel of the Holy Spirit, and I cannot tell you how many of my friends and other faithful, orthodox young adults I have met whose lives of faith have been radically deepened from going on this pilgrimage. Including my own.
As a Catholic young adult, I have been to two World Youth Days, Toronto in 2002 and Koln in 2005, and while it is an event that is far from perfect, perhaps I can share a few things about it that might be of interest.
Both John Paul II and Pope Benedict exhorted and taught us as though we were intelligent adults, capable of truly hearing the words of Jesus and following Him. In addition, bishops worldwide are invited to come and teach catechesis to WYD participants - that is an integral part of the WYD experience. In fact, in some ways I am more worried about our bishops getting too caught up in catering to the postmodern culture and not teaching and shepherding with authority. The youth want to hear the truth and we got a blah, watered down version of it from about half the bishops that spoke to us.
Also, a great deal of the experience of a youth at WYD depends on the group they go with, and who leads it (never underestimate the example of a good youth minister). I could go on and on, because there are so many different aspects to each WYD, and to each person's experience there, that there is an awful lot the "organizers" are not able to control on the ground level. I imagine that it's rather difficult to try and organize the hundreds of new movements and communities and groups who individually have something going on in the week of festivites preceding the weekend with the Pope.
Speaking of which, the Pope and about 800,000 young people (who were camped out in a cold, damp field in Germany) spent a good half hour in ADORATION of the Blessed Sacrament, together. There is tremendous power in just placing someone before the Lord like that - He will do the work in their hearts. The organizers are doing something right if they're encouraging such things as this.
However, I have indeed seen plenty of problems with WYD, especially poor judgment in the selection of music. The organizers do need to be more prayerful and discerning about choosing artists and music for WYD, I agree with this - I am also a little puzzled as to why they would choose as the theme song one by a non-Catholic...and some of the musicians that have appeared at the WYD's I've been to have left me going "huh?". I do feel there is a huge need to support Catholic artists and musicians. That said, I also think that the Spirit can inspire anyone He wants to, and if this particular song seemed to the organizers to be the "right one", I would rather they go with that one! Music is extremely powerful, and in some sense I'd rather have a powerful song from a non-Catholic if the alternatives are not as good.
While WYD is of course a strictly Catholic event, one huge aspect of it that I have experienced is it's capacity for evangelization and real ecumenism. I have heard of many non-Catholic youth who have come and been very touched; also there are the host families the youth stay with, who often represent a wide range of faiths; and there are the gazillion journalists who cover the event, most of whom are not religious but gain a much different perspective on the Church through being there. Also, WYD's are held smack in the center of huge international cities. This is an exceptional way for the us as a Church to witness faith to the very postmodern culture we are trying not to be a part of (but are in the midst of, nevertheless). Toronto was astonished with how well behaved everyone was, and that we didn't trash their city (as is the case when other large crowds have come for, say, sporting events). I really think that we are a Church that is trying to find a balance between being joyfully and unabashedly Catholic, and at the same time striving for Christian unity and reaching out to and evangelizing non-Catholics. World Youth Day is an event where all three of these things play out on a dramatic scale, and both the organizers and the participants are obviously still trying to figure how this works... but I think the Lord is leading us.
Posted by: Janelle at May 25, 2007 4:59:24 PM
In response to Daniel's comment:
World Youth Day is absolutely not an embarrassment or an insult to the church or to the youth it is held for! It is a tremendous vessel of the Holy Spirit, and I cannot tell you how many of my friends and other faithful, orthodox young adults I have met whose lives of faith have been radically deepened from going on this pilgrimage. Including my own.
As a Catholic young adult, I have been to two World Youth Days, Toronto in 2002 and Koln in 2005, and while it is an event that is far from perfect, perhaps I can share a few things about it that might be of interest.
Both John Paul II and Pope Benedict exhorted and taught us as though we were intelligent adults, capable of truly hearing the words of Jesus and following Him. In addition, bishops worldwide are invited to come and teach catechesis to WYD participants - that is an integral part of the WYD experience. In fact, in some ways I am more worried about our bishops getting too caught up in catering to the postmodern culture and not teaching and shepherding with authority. The youth want to hear the truth and we got a blah, watered down version of it from about half the bishops that spoke to us.
Also, a great deal of the experience of a youth at WYD depends on the group they go with, and who leads it (never underestimate the example of a good youth minister). I could go on and on, because there are so many different aspects to each WYD, and to each person's experience there, that there is an awful lot the "organizers" are not able to control on the ground level. I imagine that it's rather difficult to try and organize the hundreds of new movements and communities and groups who individually have something going on in the week of festivites preceding the weekend with the Pope.
Speaking of which, the Pope and about 800,000 young people (who were camped out in a cold, damp field in Germany) spent a good half hour in ADORATION of the Blessed Sacrament, together. There is tremendous power in just placing someone before the Lord like that - He will do the work in their hearts. The organizers are doing something right if they're encouraging such things as this.
However, I have indeed seen plenty of problems with WYD, especially poor judgment in the selection of music. The organizers do need to be more prayerful and discerning about choosing artists and music for WYD, I agree with this - I am also a little puzzled as to why they would choose as the theme song one by a non-Catholic...and some of the musicians that have appeared at the WYD's I've been to have left me going "huh?". I do feel there is a huge need to support Catholic artists and musicians. That said, I also think that the Spirit can inspire anyone He wants to, and if this particular song seemed to the organizers to be the "right one", I would rather they go with that one! Music is extremely powerful, and in some sense I'd rather have a powerful song from a non-Catholic if the alternatives are not as good.
While WYD is of course a strictly Catholic event, one huge aspect of it that I have experienced is it's capacity for evangelization and real ecumenism. I have heard of many non-Catholic youth who have come and been very touched; also there are the host families the youth stay with, who often represent a wide range of faiths; and there are the gazillion journalists who cover the event, most of whom are not religious but gain a much different perspective on the Church through being there. Also, WYD's are held smack in the center of huge international cities. This is an exceptional way for the us as a Church to witness faith to the very postmodern culture we are trying not to be a part of (but are in the midst of, nevertheless). Toronto was astonished with how well behaved everyone was, and that we didn't trash their city (as is the case when other large crowds have come for, say, sporting events). I really think that we are a Church that is trying to find a balance between being joyfully and unabashedly Catholic, and at the same time striving for Christian unity and reaching out to and evangelizing non-Catholics. World Youth Day is an event where all three of these things play out on a dramatic scale, and both the organizers and the participants are obviously still trying to figure how this works... but I think the Lord is leading us.
Posted by: Janelle at May 25, 2007 5:01:57 PM
Okay, here's the email I have sent to: WYD general organizers, WYD event organizers, Cardinal Pell, Auxiliary Bishop Fisher, and the Pontifical Council for the Laity:
Guy Sebastian must not be permitted to perform his theme song at WYD. He has stated publicly his support for gay "marriage" and slams Christians who believe it's wrong by stating, "That's the sad side of Christianity...they miss the whole point of Christianity.."
How can it be that Mr. Sebastian thinks that Catholics have missed the boat on what Christianity is about and we ask him to be our star "anthem" singer at our world wide event. People will think we are absolute fools! And what will this teach our youth and everyone watching us around the world?
Posted by: Deborah at May 25, 2007 5:15:38 PM
Here's the contact info. to respectfully voice your protest. I emailed and called by phone as well. Let's fill up their email boxes and voice mails!
Emails:
1. media@sydarch.org.au - His Eminence, Cardinal Pell and Auxuliary Bishop Fisher
2. media@wyd2008.org -
WYD events organizers
3. WYD general organizers
4. pcpl@laity.va - Pontifical Council for the Laity (gave permission for song)
Phone numbers:
1. His Eminence, Cardinal Pell and Aux. Bishop Fisher
61 2 9390 5100 (International)
(02) 9390 5100 (Local)
2. WYD can't find phone numbers for organizers
3. Pontifical Council for the Laity
39 06 698 87 214 (International)
Posted by: Deborah at May 25, 2007 5:17:53 PM
This is a highly problematic situation.
The key to this issue is not the song itself (which might be quite good as an event theme song for all I know), and certainly not legitimate issues and concerns like derogatory terms/hate-speech (which are obviously to be avoided and are sinful), or even his non-Catholic form of Christianity as the writer and singer of this song.
The problem here is two fold.
One, we have an individual who is making a public statement in support of gay marriage and homosexuality as a valid lifestyle, and moreover, he is also decrying to orthodox Christian moral teaching as both fundamentalism and also Christians who aren't loving and basically don't "get it". This means he would be, effectively condemning the Holy Father and the Church of the same by natural consquence. That sends an extremely contradictory and mixed message. It also is a source of public scandal.
Second, the other issue comes from experience working with young adults. They tend to make quick emotional attachments, and even lend a natural authority to those who they see as having been put in positions of honour -- especially in an event so closely attached to the Pope in popular perception -- even though the Pope is not coordinating the event. People see it as somehow an authoritative nod or that at very least, it must not be too bad a thing to think.
Moreover, young people in particular take such folks as role models because of their star power. But given what Sebastian is saying, on this front at very least, he is not a role model for Christianity. His front and centre place at the main venues of WYD events will naturally lead an emotional and sentimental attachment and bring about a curiousity in him and who he is. A number of people will likely want to know more about him; buy his albums and so forth. Oh indeed, some may turn this to good for themselves, but there is a very real danger that his theological and moral ideas on these fronts could hold sway with at least some people, or at very least those ideas will be thought of as not being that important if someone could so publically proclaim them and be brought to an event where the Pope is at. (Before one is tempted to dismiss that aspect, think of why selection of role models and spokesmen are so fundamentally important in a variety of organizations in a variety spheres. Such matters are taken extraordinarily seriously.)
Moreover, it will at very least it will be a divisive point to the event and its participants; an event that should unite the participants in Catholic faith and formation.
I'm not going to blame Guy Sebastian here on this matter. He is morally and theologically wrong on the matter of homosexuality, marriage and how that relates to Christianity of course, but he is not a Catholic, so the task there is evangelization. (And it's worth noting, having him not sing at the event is likely to be more powerful as a means to conversion, for while it would likely result in a rise, oftentimes it is that rise that sticks in one's mind and precisely can cause respect and conversion by means of a solid and consistent witness -- even if only many years down the road. It would also be a clear witness and teaching moment on a subject which is clearly obscured today.
Moreover, we have a duty first and foremost for Christ and to His Gospel. A duty to the truth and a duty to those coming to an event that is supposed to fundamentally form and represent the Catholic Faith. We need to do what is in our stewarship and power to offer them solid formation and protect their souls as well. We need to present the Gospel in the clearest possible manner.)
However, to return to my point, it's not his fault, at the end of the day, that he was asked to do the song at WYD, despite his faulty ideas.
Who should be taken to task and who should know better and those who are organizing WYD. Did they know of this, and if not, why didn't they at least do a little research into it? Why wouldn't they think of that as important? Where they thinking at all about this? A simple internet search was able to bring up these evident problems extremely quickly.
The fact that this may not have even been thought of comes off as highly amateurish, and with serious need for people to be formed in matters of formation.
If they did know, then that would make things even worse, because we'd have to question the very principles which they were operating from in making such a clearly problematic choice.
I don't know which it is, but either are highly troublesome and problematic. Regardless, we can probably assume that they will know now, so the question must be put forth:
What are they now going to do to correct this situation?
We need to see such situations as these cease. We need people to think of this matters and understand their importance, and we need people to be radically attached to Christ and the Magisterium -- lest, for lack in any one of these areas, the Gospel be obscured and people led down wrong roads. We need to get our act together here.
It's embarrassing and it needs to be corrected.
Posted by: Petrus at May 25, 2007 5:50:15 PM
Didn't something similar happen in Cologne? Wasn't there going to be some hispanic group playing who publically went on record as saying the Catholic Church is problematic and in error? The problem is the clerics who organize these events are old padres who are not up on pop culture- not that they should be,trust me, as it is pretty toxic as many of you well know- so they believe what these entertainers tell them and think they know what young people "like". As a fairly young priest, 34, who is somewhat up on pop culture: movies, music, the internet, etc. for my own knowledge, without hoping falling into sin (pray for me and all priests in this regard), to evangelize the modern "pagans", I can say this is a real embarassement, but overall the good fruit of world youth days outweigh the bad, I think. But no doubt the Austrialian idol dude's song should be withdrawn or removed, if these are his public views about gay "marriage", etc. More research old padres, PLEASE!
Posted by: padrechillin at May 25, 2007 9:30:21 PM
Any piece written for World Youth Day is going to be an embarassing piece of crap, but this is such a manufactured controversy designed to yank people's chains that I don't know whether to laugh at it or cry. And, as per usual, the chains of denizens the St. Blog's Peanut Gallery are yanking like crazy with the usual "ain't it awfuls!" and so forth. Yet, I recall that Benjamin Britten was writing music for the boys of Westminster Cathedral while at the same time it was a public fact that he was homosexual and living with his partner, the horse-voiced tenor Peter Pears. There hasn't been much bellyaching over the horrible "scandal to the faithful" over such stuff.
At the same time, one wishes that those professional artists who are being who are being PAID by the Church to beautify (in theory, at any rate) the liturgy would at least have the common courtesy to SHUT UP when opening their mouths causes unnecessary problems to their patrons. Unfortunately, most such "artistes" believe the normal rules of etiquette and discretion do not apply to them, even though they apply to everyone else who earns a buck for a living.
Posted by: Patrick Rothwell at May 25, 2007 11:17:38 PM
For what it may be worth, I'm told by people who say they know - and they should - that: 1. Mr Sebastian was head-hunted AFTER the open competition produced no "satifactory" entries 2. Mr Sebastian's views on homosexuality emerged AFTER his song had been "chosen".
WYD organisers seem to be encountering all sorts of difficulties, including: *Still no venue announced for the Opening Mass; It is said to have been chosen - a disused maritime cargo facility - but there are difficulties of some kind in obtaining use; *Horse-racing organisers who occupy the venue for the Papal Mass (Randwick Racecourse)demanding up to A$60Million!!!! compensation to vacate the racetrack.
The "Chief Operating Officer" of the WYD Sydney committe is Mr Danny Casey (danny.casey@ado.syd.catholic.org.au)
I hope it all works out, because WYD is a good thing. I think the organisers need encouragement as well as gentle chastisement.
Posted by: "Hardman Window" at May 26, 2007 2:12:10 AM
BTW, this link is relevent to this subject: http://coo-eesfromthecloister.blogspot.com/2007/05/false-idol-gets-wyd-gig.html
And, Amy, since I haven't made any comments on your blog before, may I say how much I admire your work!
Posted by: "Hardman Window" at May 26, 2007 2:19:24 AM
And in response to "Padrechillin": the cleric organising WYD, Bishop Anthony Fisher, is 46 years of age, which hardly counts as "old" in contrast to your "fairly young" 34!
Posted by: "Hardman Window" at May 26, 2007 6:41:18 AM
Isn't it time to drop World Youth Day? Let's face it, it's just a big ole pep rally with a guest appearance by the pope.
Posted by: dymphna at May 26, 2007 7:11:44 AM
Drop it?! Does the Church have any other place like this where young adults can see that there are actually others like them that love God? Where they can see hundreds of thousands of people excited about their faith? Where they experience in a dramatic way that they're not alone - and that the Church is really and truly universal? When they go home back to the secular world they live in, they will be strengthened by all this. I've seen it happen. Drop World Youth Day when there is so little on the parish or diocesan level for youth and young adults?? I don't think that's a good idea.
Posted by: Janelle at May 26, 2007 3:29:52 PM
But Janelle, don't most parishes have Young Adult groups? Does lying around on a lawn, listening to pop music really do any good? Yes, there is confession and adoration but you can do that at home. Wouldn't the money for WYD be better spent on schools, nursing homes and the like? God bless those who go to WYD and get something out of it but is it really practical?
Posted by: dymphna at May 27, 2007 9:00:08 AM
Amy, love your work! I'm afraid you have picked up a few serial flamers on this topic from one or two other blogs.
I don't agree with the choice of singer, but it would be a far sadder thing if people CHOOSE to point out a small percieved blemish in WYD plans and screamed about it in the absence of any focus on the very real good being planned and done by good and holy people here in Sydney.
Especially when there seems to have been little attempt to interpret the decision or the reported comment charitably.
If a genuine Christian has a serious concern to raise about some aspect of the planning of WYD they are able to submit their concerns to the bishop responsible or to Cardinal Pell. Both men known worldwide for their steadfast orthodoxy and astounding intellect.
There is nothing to be gained by publically defaming the enture WYD effort here in Australia because you do not think a particular decision made on a particular matter is prudent.
Posted by: Peter at May 27, 2007 6:40:04 PM
Janelle, quick quesiton. Are you the WYD theme song performer from the Toronto, Canada WYD?
Posted by: Deborah at May 27, 2007 7:28:58 PM
WYD is in July, our (Australian) winter
Posted by: David C at May 27, 2007 11:04:40 PM
I went to one wyd, Denver 95, and it was an amazing experience. I don't remember "lying around" at any point--it was a terrifically taxing pilgrimage from day one, (we hiked in the sun all day, and then had to balance limited water and toilet resources, while trying to focus on prayer...) and an amazing experience to be with other youth from around the world who shared my beliefs. Yes, we had a local youth group, and the group that went to WYD became it's core that revitalized it and drew others in.
I think the point about youth focus on the performer is well-taken. Dana sang our theme song, which I *still* love, and a group of us went to see her in concert after WYD. Had she been making public statements like this, it would have been very confusing.
While I agree that separating everyone into age groups *all the time* can be detrimental, I don't think it is a bad idea to counteract the empty youth culture with a positive youth culture that ties them right back into their parishes and families. We went with a lot of parish support, and so when we came back we gave presentations to share what we learned with our parish.
Posted by: mandamum at May 28, 2007 12:31:01 PM
