Pilgrims reflect

We prayed for you all during WYD. Be sure we'll continue back in France. We are all children of God and we live all under the same sun... That makes us all brothers and sisters! We are all children of God and you had the grace to see the Pope. Being old has some advantage :)

I've received graces during this pilgrimage. Christ has invited me to be his witness in my everday life. I thank you for having done the same thing with your life, you're giving it for Jesus' love. 

God's providence

The Pope's visit stirs donations from many places as can be shown in the following note from Tharpa Choeling Abbey (Tibetan Buddhist): Please find donation in celebration of the Pope's visit to Sydney. 

As the pilgrims keep pouring in, God's providence does likewise. Folks young and old are just so happy be a part of World Youth Day. The Sisters were again out to purchase essential items for the pilgrims. With a shopping cart half full and another overflowing, a woman introduced herself to the Sisters and told them to let her know when they were ready to pay for the merchandise. She then offered to pay for everything. Not wanting to overburden her, the Sisters offered to pay for one lot of items, but no, she insisted on paying for everything!

Amazing, and reassuring are the two words that spontaneously come to mind. The Sisters were out gathering necessary items to welcome a group of pilgrims that were a last minute addition to an already full house! At the store they met an elderly couple who showed interest in the project and gave a donation to help defray the costs. Please remember them in your prayers.

"Do not forget the poor O Lord."
These words, spoken as the psalm response at today's mass, manifest the nearness of God. This story was recounted a moment before: "Yesterday, we placed a large order for croissants to feed our pilgrims. As required we wrote the check and presented it to the vendor. Off we went with our croissants to prepare the meals. When the accounting office received the payment the accountants said, 'if these Sisters are doing all this for the pilgrims, we can contribute the croissants at no cost.' They then returned our check."