Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Note from Katie Smith

Monday, July 14, 2008


I’m not quite sure where to begin considering I’m almost speechless about my experience this past week in Australia. After surviving that fourteen hour plane ride, we arrived in Brisbane and headed to the Youth Arise Festival at Nudgee College. Although we slept on hard classroom floors and showered in gross cold showers, the Youth Arise Festival and our time in Brisbane was awesome!

The week included seeing many unique and beautiful animals at the Steve Irwin zoo, singing praise & worship lead by Matt Maher two feet away from me and praising our Lord from all over the world. The highlight of my time in Brisbane was probably personally meeting Matt Maher and celebrating Mass with youth from so many different cultures. I have met teens from Ireland, India, the Philippines, Italy and France. The girls also had the opportunity to get to know our Australian roommates and really learn about their culture.

We arrived in Sydney this morning and I don’t believe any of us have ever been so thankful for a hot shower and a warm bed! I am anxious for the Pope’s arrival here and I am extremely excited to discover what God has in store for all of us during the next week and a half.

To all friends and family, we love and miss you and will continue to keep all of you in our prayers!

With peace and love in Him,
Katie Smith

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like y'all are having a blast! Keep on living it up and being imitators of Christ!

As you experience the Mass in different languages or with different races keep in mind this bible verse of Pentecost as you see the Universal Church.

Acts 2: 1-8
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?

Though you may not understand others languages at World Youth Day, Christ is in us all and therefore we are connected through Him in the Eucharist. We can understand eachother through the scriptures and the Tradition of the Church that is practiced across the world! Praise God!

Praying for y'all at the Pines Camp,

Chris Smith

P.S. Katie Smith that looks like a posed sleeping picture :)

Kellie said...

Howdy! I have been lifting you up in prayer daily and have enjoyed reading about all of your travels. I miss you Katie and can't wait to see you SOON!

God is definitely showering His blessings upon your safe and spritiual travels, and I pray that He continues to bless each of you as you grow in your faith your last week in Austrailia!

Thanks for all of your prayers for us in Aggieland!

Love and prayers,
Kellie Smith

Anita Kapchinski said...

Thanks so much for taking time to share your experiences with us, Katie. What an amazing experience to sing P & W songs with Matt Maher! He is such an gifted Catholic musician doing such important work in the Catholic church right now. We love and miss you all, too, and will continue to pray for you all during this blessed time of conversion and deepening of faith in your lives!

Sarah said...

Katie, We finally got through to you. Everyone has been having trouble blogging! But anyways, it seems like you are having a wonderful time and I wish I could be there! I've been keeping you in my prayers and I love you.
~Cousin Sarah

Sarah said...

Katie, This is my fourth time to send a note so know I have tried to be in touch. We are heading to our WYDay in Houston to celebrate with Cardinal DiNardo and the youth of Houston-Galveston Dio. We will pray for all our youths hearts to be set on fire for Christ and his church and please do the same. You have been in our daily prayers and thoughts. I read where you saw relics of Pier Giorgio. Did you remember that is the name and saint Aaron took for his confirmation!! One more amazing experience of the dozens I know you are having. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you." Love you mucho!!! Aunt Mary

Anonymous said...

Ohhh, Katie, sounds like you're having such a cool experience! i'm so glad that you guys have this totally awesome opportunity to experience you faith in a whole new way.

That picture of you and marta makes me miss both of you so so so much.

i love you guys!

love,
Johanna :-)

Kathy and Brien said...

Katie,

Looks like you are having a great spiritual pilgramage ! Glad you are soaking in the Holy Spirit.

I miss you and am looking forward to welcoming you home Tuesday.

Love and Blessings,
Dad

Kathy and Brien said...

Katie-
Wow! What an amazing way to experience our Universal Church! I am glad you are having an experience that is beyond words to describe it- You all are in my daily thoughts and prayers- We are staying close to EWTN which is providing great coverage of all the actvities with the Pope. God Bless- I miss you and love you! Mom