I had 24 talks and music videos in one week in three different states – all delivered in ridiculous temperatures – often reaching 40 degrees celsius. In spite of the packed schedule and the heat I can not wait to visit there again next year; hopefully taking with me a group of Australians!

Below is a short video of some of my trip:

I sometimes wish I could work on an outreach mission (Stronger Youth Program, Music and Public Speaking) on a full time basis, though it is the Parish that inspires me to do all this. It is the relationships that I build on a day-in-day-out basis in the schools, hospitals, parish church and aged care centres that become the foundation of my passion to reach out.

Who knows what the future holds? Who knows what my ministry will be like in a couple of years? All I know now, as I sit waiting for my flight to Brisbane (speaking engagement) is that my mind and heart are about to explode with ideas and excitement for what lies ahead!

It has taken me 5 days to recover from our tour of Northern Queensland. The band and I ministered to thousands of students and teachers around Cairns (Innisfail), Townsville and Mackay.

Poster for Mackay Concert

 Ticket for Townsville Concert

What an absolute honour it is to be a means of transmitting Christ’s hope and grace in the lives of so many. I feel so blessed too to be able to enhance the message of peace and love that the local priests are so faithfully conveying, through music and preaching.

Surveying the Venue for Townsville Concert and Workshop (over 1000 teachers at each event)

This trip was different to any other trip I have done before because I had the opportunity to travel with all the band members and their families. Wives and children in particular. This was a wonderful experience for me as a priest because I don’t often get the opportunity to hold a sleeping child, get sneezed on and calm a frantic child (in mid concert). I could really say that this was a real learning experience and through this an opportunity to appreciate young family life more than ever.

Mum and Dad in Hollywood

We witnessed the World Premier of the upcoming Disney film Oz. It was such a thrill (and chill) waiting three hours in the cold to see the stars walk up the yellow brick carpet and greet the fans and press. I must admit, I did not know who most of the stars were, but it was fun nonetheless.

Launch of Disney’s Oz in Hollywood

Below are some of the stars I spotted and managed to photograph:

Rachel Weisz

Mila Kunis

Michelle Williams

Otis Winston
(I think!!)

Jams Franco
Crowd went wild when he showed up

From here we head to Anaheim, then to Las Vegas to record some music with a world-renound producer and then back to Anaheim to the LA Catholic Education (over 50,000 people in attendance) Congress to speak and sing.

Tara – A Pilgrim at Lake Galilee

It has been a busy but extraordinary few days. Walking where Jesus walked with 14 awesome young pilgrims from around Australia. I am overwhelmed and am truly blessed to be here writing this blog post by lake Galilee – where Jesus calmed the storm, walked on the water and cooked a BBQ for His disciples after he rose from the dead. WOW!

Rosa – Pilgrim in Galilee

While here I discovered a new hobby; and that is taking photos – not necessarily of sites, but of people’s faces and expressions. I thought I would share some photos here. Enjoy!

A dress-maker from Nazareth

Joseph the Carpenter from Nazareth

We met some locals in Nazareth living a first-century lifestyle. The place feels and looks like at the time of Jesus.

Anita – A Pilgrim on Lake Galilee

A Cat on the Mount of Transfiguration

Our bus driver up to the Mount of Transfiguration

It is such a blessing to meet and mingle with the locals. Jews, Muslims and Christians get on very well together.

Melissa – A Pilgrim in Taybeh

Lauren – A Pilgrim at the Church of Visitation

This trip to the Holy Land has also provided us with the opportunity of working with some of the locals in a Bethlehem school and Orphanage as well as meeting bereaved mothers – one in particular who lost her son in a suicide bombing.

A Selfless Worker at Bethlehem Orphanage

Usama our Guide and Friend

I have learned so much about Jesus, Mary and the Apostles whilst here in Palestine and Israel. The way they lived, thought; the things they ate and saw; the customs they lived by and more. It puts things into a good perspective.

Young Boy from Bethlehem

Chrissy – Pilgrim from New Zealand

We are pilgrims, not tourists. Every place we visit we get the time and opportunity to pray and reflect.

Rosa – A Pilgrim on Mount of Transfiguration

Anthony – A Pilgrim on Mount of Transfiguration

Chrissy – Pilgrim at Jacob’s Well

Nothing tells a story like a face. Some thoughts are revealed through facial expression. This pilgrimage has been an intense and emotional one; one in which we have been challenged in our understanding and faith in Jesus Christ.

Tara – Reflecting in Galilee

There are 14 of us on this trip (aged between 18 and 33). This has given us the opportunity to grow to appreciate each other, and our individual relationship with the risen Jesus.

Kathryn – Pilgrim in Samaria

Nazareth Farmer Tending His Sheep

Chrissy keeping warm Palestine style

Sarah enjoying the Israeli Culture

Animals prowl the grounds at many of the holy sites. A reminder to me to keep things simple in the sometimes complex and extravegant coating over the places where Jesus walked.

A Cat at ‘Pater Noster’ Church in Jerusalem – where Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. 

 Photos by Fr Rob Galea – Not to be used without permission.

Here is a short plea on Fr Rob gives to keep trusting Jesus with our future.

On another note, ‘Glorify’ (A Contemporary Mass Setting For Young People – by Fr Rob Galea, Gary Pinto and Natasha Pinto) is now on YouTube. You can get the CD which included the instrumental versions from iTunes and from the store page above.

See Videos Here >>>

Watch and share our short promo video and register now at www.stronger.org.au

I have had songs in the top 10 before but never a whole album. On the 18^th of September 2012 my co-written (Fr. Rob Galea, Gary Pinto and Natasha Pinto) Mass Setting ‘Glorify’ reached number 4 on the iTunes Inspirational charts. This is an amazing landmark for me and I am very grateful to all who have supported the project by downloading it.

This project was released by Willow Publishing in July 2012 in Sheet Music and CD format and then released on iTunes.

You can download the album from iTunes here >>>

Or

Buy the Songbook (including 28-track CD) here >>>

I just spent the last four days working in Darwin and Wadeye. I feel so humbled to be able to do what I do – be an instrument of God’s hope through Sacrament and Music. The more I travel and minister to people the more I realise the power these two things have to reach to the hearts in spite of background, race, age and culture. Wow!

I now fly back to Melbourne and drive to Shepparton in time for the weekend Masses and a packed week consisting of meetings, funerals, Sacraments, house blessings, ecumenical services, school visits and other appointments! Love it! So blessed to be where I am!