Prayer of generosity
Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not count the cost;
To fight and not heed the wounds;
To toil and not seek for rest;
To labor and not ask for reward, except
To know that I am doing your will. Amen.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
The real meaning of peace
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The kind looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not like peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built he nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bide on her nest—in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize?
The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?
“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”
God, Our Father, you ever accompanied Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through their journey of life; and guided Your People, Israelite to the Promised Land to which you showed them and led them up to there. Thanks you, Lord for having accompanied me to go through even the “dark valley” over these years as you did to Your People in ancient time. Lord, as you know, I am about to leave the present parish for chaplain in St. Jude Catholic Chinese School. I beseech you, hence, to help me whenever I need, and follow your will always, to seek your will always and your glory above all things. Amen.
天主,我们的父亲,你曾陪伴亚巴郎、依撒格和雅各伯走完人生的旅程；你也曾引导你的子民——以色列迈向福地，并给他们指出到达那里的方向。主，感谢你这些年来陪伴我走过“阴森的幽谷” 如同你曾在过去对你的子民所做的一样。主，你知道我将离开现在所驻的堂区，到圣犹达天主教中文学校工作，牧养你的子民。因此，我恳求你，请帮助我的所需，帮助我随从你的旨意；寻求你的旨意并寻求你的光荣超越一切之上。阿们！
道明神父
St. Augustine of Hippolytus once said that God is everything for the human beings. If a person is hungry, God is bread; if one is thirsty; God is water; if in darkness, God is light; if naked, God is a robe of immortality.
A newly ordained priest says Mass on one Sunday, the liturgy is so beautiful and impressive that the participants, attendees are moved by his very first homily. Everything goes well, yet at the end, just prior to the concluding rite, he says: “Go to Mass, peace is ended” because of nervousness instead of Mass is ended, go in peace. people are extremely perplexed.
Proud of you, China
Some time ago, a Salesian priest read one message received from his confrere during lunchtime to me, saying: God created something, the rest were made in China. I burst out laughing.
On returning from the trip to Australia, I totally believe it is true. Each participant of WYD received a special backbag in which there are some gadgets. To my great surprise, they were made in China. The Compendium of the CCC was also printed in China; I was so proud of it whenever they mentioned it.
What were incredible were kangaroos that are made in China too. Do you believe that? One day, I was accompanied by Father John entering a shop just for looking, window shopping. What astounded me were the kangaroos made in China. Unthinkable!
Ever since, when I offer something to somebody, the very first thing I say to the person is that “I bought XX, but it was made in China.”
Recently, the rector of Mary help of Christians Shrine with whom I have been staying has spoken to me smilingly: “There is no more Olympics because of China. The host-country can not imitate what China has done for the Olympics, such as Bird’s nest, the opening ceremony etc." I am proud of you, China on hearing this.
During the class break today, a liturgical professor was saying: “nobody can not do that, only can China do it”—referring to the ceremony of the Olympics. Almost every one I have met says so. Indeed, it was really impressive and amazing.
China, I am very proud of you. I am far prouder of being Chinese!
It is a fact that death can come to us at any time, every minite,second etc.,whether old or young.We do not understand why it sometimes is so sudden to a person from a mere perspective of the world.
It only can be understood from the viewpoint of our faith. The sacred Scripture tells that " He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported–snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceited beguile his soul…(Wis. 4:10-13). St paul says in his epislte to philippians: for to me life is Christ, death is gain. The author of Hebrews points out that Christian home is in heaven, which is far more beautiful than the one we possess now on earth. (11:31-33) What a solace the passages are. However, for our part, still alive, we should keep in mind the words of Jesus: prepare yourself because, the Son of Man will come at an hour that you do not expect.
In addition, it is advisable to bear in mind too: that tomorrow is not in our hands , not in our reach, hence, it is prudent to consider today as the last day of my life.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
Let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace, Amen.
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意大利咖啡
一天，Fr Frank 请我们吃午餐。之后，我们逛了一会儿街路过一家意大利教友的咖啡店。福神父与她们很熟悉，所以就进去了。我们各自都要了咖啡，其中有神父说，喝了意大利咖啡，保证晚上工作清醒，并无法入睡。姑妄听之吧！ 没过多久，我们便离开咖啡店返回堂区，在途中，我却睡着了，睡得好香。是我附有“睡魔，” 还是咖啡不奏效呢？
赛马场
为了准备教宗的闭幕弥撒，主教们想尽了办法。因为考虑到人的安全，参与者的团体过多、庞大等。所以需要一个地方既安全又可以容纳所有参与者的地方。他们想到是一个赛马场，于是他们与有关人员协商场地的事宜。但是，他们不愿意为弥撒提供场地，主教们也无奈作罢。不久，赛马场所有的马都得了感冒，主人花了非常多的钱才控制了感冒。于是他信主动提出来，他们可以为弥撒提供场地。当地人认为，这感冒是来自天主。
下大雨
据天气预报说，世青期间一定下大雨。不少人开始担心，要是下雨，怎么办呢？那么多的人，简直无法想像！可是人们的担心被证实是多余的。根本就没有雨，连毛毛雨多没有。因此，当地人认为是教宗与青年的临在感动了天主，才……
一个星期内两次看见主
据当地的报纸报道，一个身患绝症的教友与教宗握手亲吻后，第二天就离开了人世。报纸称，他真有福气。 因为，看到了在世的基督——教宗，也看到了天上的基督。
很早就离开了“避难所，”到了门口，突然被一位修女叫住了，我还…….还好，原来她要给我一些填饱肚子的食物。She said to me： “Father， you can have some snacks if you want.” 接着就返回小组休息睡觉的地方，我原打算与若望神父一起去参加共祭，他已不在那里呢，于是匆匆忙忙用冷水梳洗了一个，留了一张纸条给若望神父：神父，你在哪？我去找共祭的地方。之所以要早点去，是因为我们没有特殊的证件，为教宗的安全，参与共祭的需要特殊的证件，而我们没有拿到。一方面，我们去得太迟了，另一方面，是因为准备的证件太少了，只有两千，而神父们远远超过五六千。不过，还好我们还是进去了，特别高兴。在加大拿与意大利神父中间坐下来了，当与前者聊到证件时，他说花了六小时才搞到。我们聊了不少的话题，从堂区的牧灵到堂区的青年，之后，我转向旁边的神父，没有太多的交流，由于语言的障碍，他用意语当英文讲，所以…..不过我们还是非常愉快、高兴坐在一起，相互拍照，作为留念。大概过了两年小时，教宗的专车徐徐地向我们驶来，在群众的欢呼声中，他来到了我们中间。十点多弥撒开始了，教宗拿着牧杖在枢机们——陈日君主教也亲临现场的陪同下迈向祭台。教宗目睹五六百主教已在祭台共祭处等候多时，他终于露出了灿烂的笑容。神父们在离祭台较远的祭台前。不知教宗留给主教的纪念品是什么，留给神父们是一条绣有五个五角星的领带。虽然不是每个神父都有，不够；不过我比较幸运。弥撒中，教宗亲自为二十多位教友施行坚振圣事，稍后只给他/她送圣体。她们中有来自不同的国家，其中地人居多。以当地原著民特有的方式举行了福音游行。讲道中，教宗重申了前几天提到的：你们回家的 “作业”就是带一个青年人进堂。在弥撒礼成前，教宗宣布下届世青节将会在西班牙马德里举行，See you in Madrid，Spain. 这就成了青年人道别时的用语。弥撒在神圣、快乐的的气氛中结束了。
星期六一大早，我们就出发前往赛马场。今天路上的行人格外多。火车站、汽车站都挤满了年青年人，他/她们穿着不同的制服，背着同样的背包，不必问就知道他们也是前往同一的目的地，为的是明天由教宗亲自主持的闭幕弥撒。我们差不多中午时分就到了目的地。地方太多了，无法形容；人大多无法计算，从早上开始一直到下午六时，络绎不绝。用了午餐后，我和几个同伴还当一回自愿者帮助发送午餐。到了晚上七晚，由教宗亲自烛光晚祷，并亲自圣体降福。烛光晚祷非常吸引人，当唱天主经时，在场的青年挥动手中的蜡烛，熠熠生辉，给宁静的夜晚增添了几分色彩。之后，全体诵念玫瑰经，值得一提的是，其中有一端是用中文念的。非常自豪，中文在世青中也点有一席之地。活动还在继续着，到了晚上十点，主持人才对大家说晚安。他们打开睡袋，有的席地而睡，有的还在going around，尽管气温非常低，天气很冷。由于，我自己一无所有，就在“避难所”—明供圣体小堂度过了难忘的夜晚。
那是一个阴沉，颇有冷意的下午。一群又一群的青年赶往St. Mary Cathedral, Domain, Sydney Opera House , Darling Harbour, and Barangroo，为参加下午由教宗亲自主持的苦路礼仪。这礼仪与传统的大相径庭，是通过真人演出耶稣当时所做的，为人类所受的苦难。先读出圣经的片段，然后，“耶稣”在晚餐厅为宗徒们举行最后晚餐开始，一直到耶稣被钉死等。场面逼真感人，印象深刻。不少青年人黯然神伤，泣不成声。无数的观众通过电视或网络直播观看了这神圣的礼仪。他们均表示深深地体会到耶稣当时的情景，可谓触景生情。非常遗憾，我们由于其他原因未能参与，只在外围默默参与，错过了良机。
7、16午餐后，我们回到主人家里稍作休息。之后，我们便出发，赶往奥林匹克中心。因为，今晚亚洲二十五个国家的青年在聚在一起，用他们各自的民族特色表达对世青的庆祝，并使青年相互了解各自的文化、风俗等。首先出场的有马来西亚、新加坡、柬埔寨、斯里兰卡等，后来的有中国、香港、台湾和澳门、印度、越南、韩国等等。节目个个精采，赢来陈阵掌声。不过最好的在后头，就是菲律宾的“帽子舞。”当主持人读出菲律宾代表队的名字时，全场异口同声地大声喊叫道：Filipino，Filipino……他们的表演把今晚的聚会带向了高潮。整个场面非常感人，现场的青年也随着他们的调子、节奏翩翩起舞。天下没有不散的宴席，将近差不多四个小时的精采表演，这次聚会终于划上了圆满的句号。
据说，本次的亚洲青年聚会是由菲律宾主教团发起的。
从7月16日至18日，上午的安排稍有不同。教理讲授、提问、告解与感恩祭。每个小组都由一位主教给予既定主题的教理讲授，一共有两百多个小组在不同的地方。每个小组人数不一，我们的小组Mary Immaculate堂区举行，的青年有菲律宾、澳大利亚、新加坡共七、八百来人。三天教理的主题都是关于圣神，圣神的的使命、是教会的灵魂等。我们小组第一和第三天是由菲律宾的主教讲授的，第二天则由加拿大的一位主教讲授，他去过中国上海。大概差不多半小时后，听众可以自由地向主教提问，最后以感恩祭结束。难能可贵的是，从讲授要理开始至弥撒前，都有神父在不同的角落听告解，听告者络绎不绝。第一天我也充当听告司铎的角色，由于错过主教的要理讲授，后来两天，我选择做主教要理讲授的听众。午餐后，各小小组可以安排到不同的地方参与活动。
第二天，我们起得很早。天刚蒙蒙亮。七点多钟，我们就来到了堂区等候其他的朝圣者一齐前往Barangroo参与由悉尼总主教主持的开幕弥撒。我们转了好几次的火车，并徒步疾走了不知多少公里，我们一路上欢呼喝彩，彼此用微笑向来自不同国家的青年打招呼，不知不觉就到达目的地。之后，我们准备到柜台领取午餐。可以想象这么多的人，等了两三个小时才拿到午餐，没有什么希奇。用了午餐后，我们私自与不同国家的青年交流、谈等。当地下午四时三十分，弥撒正式开始了。总主教佩尔在众多共祭的枢机、主教中徐徐迈向祭始台。当唱响主题曲时，似乎把在场的十几万青年带向礼仪庆典的高潮，参与者兴奋不已。弥撒的读经分别以西班牙和法语两种语言宣读。福音则由意大利语宣读，信友祷词亦是由不同的语言宣读。主教在讲道中欢迎前来参加该次的各国青年，并指出青年负有使命及其挑战。我们不大清楚圣体是如何分送的，我们只知道有圣体员送到我们手中。我们也不知道送圣体花了多少时间。当弥撒接近尾声时，已是晚上七、八点了。有些带着晚餐陆续返回各自的住处，有的则在原地就餐，稍后离开。我们便是其中的一群。不管怎么样，大家都带着同一的礼物——圣体/耶稣一路唱，一路跳结束了有意义的一天。
7月14日，我们天还黑虽已七点钟了，告别了主人，我们就动身前往集合的地方，准备到机场坐飞机赴悉尼。在我们出发之前，我们一齐在菲律宾的一个女教友家里用了早餐，她丈夫是马耳他人。他们非常热情周到，其实我们好多次都在她家里用餐，可是她的热情好客仍旧不减。之后，我们便离开前往机场，难能可贵的是他夫妻俩相送我们到车站，送上车后才挥手告别。一小时后，我们就到了机场。
我们乘坐的航班是天主教专门为世青的QUATAS Flight。机场高科技的设施令人难忘。我们自己可以在电脑拿到登机卡和座位号，而且可以自由地选择要窗口的还是走道旁边的座位。速度非常快，非常方便。
大概下午三时，我们就到了悉尼机场。经过协调之后，一位菲律宾的主教亲自作我们的向导，带我们到负责接待我们的堂区。我们均感到荣幸，前几天由福神父作我们的车夫，今天主教作我们的向导。负责接待我们的堂区相当远，要转好几次，先坐火车，相当于地铁，由这条线转到那条线，由那个线再转坐另一个线，我一下子就没有了方向感。我们国内可能每坐一条线都要买票，可是那边一天只要买一张票就够了，当天有效，而且所买的地铁票也可以用来坐汽车。
出了地铁站，我们还要转坐公交车前往堂区。半小时后，我们才到达所在的Mary Immaculate堂区。晚餐后，我们八人被安排在一个菲律宾的家庭。主人已在堂区等候我们已多时了，寒喧之后，主人专车就把我们带到家里。之后，我们有一个非正式的party，介绍自己的情况等。差不多快到午，我们才熄灯休息。
道明的共享空间 