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Year in Review 2016
Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst
21
the sun shone through the
clouds and seemed to glisten
straight onto the altar.
Not only did this occur, but
the sun shone out onto the
altar at these two specific-
times
throughout
the
Mass, during the offertory
procession and when we
all were receiving Holy
Communion, arguably the
two most spiritual times
that occur during a Mass.
If I had any doubts about
God then, they were quickly
diminished. It was truly such
an amazing experience.
A n o t h e r
. .
r e w a r d i n g
experience that I had will
certainly play a huge role in
how I live my life from this
moment onwards.
During a catechesis session
with Cardinal Dolan (the
Cardinal of New York), the question was asked, “I find it easy to show others mercy, I find it easy to
receive mercy, but I cannot find it within me to give myself mercy for sins I have committed or things
I have done to others.” The way Cardinal Dolan answered this question blew my mind! I mean this
is such a hard question to comprehend. His answer though was so simple. He said, “Do you believe
that God will forgive you no matter how bad your sin is?” The kid answered “Yes”. Cardinal Dolan
continued by saying, “Good, now do you think that you are better than God?” The kid answered,
“Absolutely not”. “Perfect”’ replied Cardinal Dolan, “Then there’s the answer to your question; if God
is willing to forgive you for absolutely anything that you offer up to him, then you forgiving yourself
and showing yourself mercy should be easy. The greatest Lord shows you how to forgive yourself every
day, you just have to look at the mysterious ways in which he operates.”
This answer opened up a whole new world for me, honestly. These experiences don’t just happen every
day. This is something that is truly special and something that will guide me in a direction that will be
of benefit to the people around me as well as myself. It was at this time where I first felt the urge to be
confirmed more than anything. To be confirmed in a life of showing mercy to others and to myself.
This urge to be confirmed would be answered by a great man named Father Nicholas Pearce only 2
days later. I didn’t even hint at the idea of being confirmed but, before I could, Padre already sensed
that this was on my mind and captured the idea that to do something this special on World Youth Day
would just be a life-changing experience.
That one bridging hand given by Father Nicholas Pearce, I will always be thankful for. It gave me the
opportunity to do something that I thought I was never really going to get the opportunity to do. Not
only did he give me this opportunity, but he gave me the opportunity to do my sacraments in the
middle of Europe, in the midst of what was one of the most amazing experiences I will have in my
lifetime.
I did my first confession just prior to the vigil with 2.5 million people, I received my First Holy
Communion at the Final Mass which was celebrated by the Pope and, best of all, I got confirmed in
a beautiful small church in the middle of the Polish mountains with 350 loving, caring and amazing
people right behind me the whole way.
It means so much to be not only a part of something like this, but be the centre of it and I think a lot of
the credit needs to be given to Bishop Mark Edwards (Bishop of Melbourne) for confirming me and of
course to one of the most influential people I have ever met, Father Nicholas Pearce.
Overall, the journey that we 2.5 million pilgrims took was more than just eye-opening; it has quite
seriously changed my life. The life that I lead from this journey onwards will be one that is quite
different from the one I led before. I never thought you could get this much out of pilgrimage and I
am ever thankful to each and every person who helped make it a trip that will stick with me forever!
WORSHIP & PRAYER