Thoughts

I have learnt so much on this trip, having stayed with Marian Fathers, plain clothed Nuns and Sisters in Kielce! I have sung in a variety of churches (mostly under freezing temperatures) and schools or culture centres! We have covered a lot of Poland and played to around 3,000 people. And a lot of those have been young people!

The Polish web site for the tour has received many emails saying very nice things about the concerts, but especially commenting on how they have been prompted to think again about their faith and committment to God! Many things are changing here in Poland. Increasing travel, flourishing european involvement, strengthening economy, wider consumer choice, greater media influence, it could be that in a few years time, church attendance and loyalty to catholic values will decrease amongst the younger generations! It's already happening, where the values their parents held are not so important or relevant! Like the UK, the younger generations may get dis-enchanted with 'organised religion'.

So..the challenge looks lively! The Church may need to adjust, change shape, find other ways to communicate, yet still retain it's depth of faith with so many riches. The Catholic system is pretty well organised here, very traditional too. My prayer is that there will be a new wave of radical revolutionaries (of all ages and vocations) who sense the signs of the times and become salt and light to Poland! Not entrenched behind church buildings, but out where the people are!! and for 'Emerging Churches'...fresh expressions to grow.

That will be exciting...and challenging...and country changing!

Day 12/13

The final concert in Kielce was in a school based at a convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. A very new, clean building with around 400 students. We performed concerts all morning to cover the whole school. The older age group was especially attentive,but overall, another great opportunity. The Sister Direktor had her 'Names day' - so it was an extra special occasion for everyone! Lots of sponge cake!

Day 9/10/11

We have travelled hundreds of kilometres these past few days. From Warsaw we headed up to Gdansk to the seaside, and played in Sopot which is renowned for its very long pier! Yes you learnt it here first!!

Warsaw on Sunday was busy! I didn't know, but the city is divided in 2 by a river and so we played in the east which is called Praga in a small chapel of a BIG church! It was great. The ambience cool (in the best sense of the word) and the people very, very warm and touched by the concert. I was given flowers!! We packed down amazingly quickly and sped over to the west to set up and play in another church! This was the least attended concert, maybe due to the saturation of big cities or the organisation...but those that came enjoyed it!

Then to Gdansk, to play in a large church in Sopot. Again an amazing building with stained glass windows that added to the evening aura. About 300 attended and it was a great night. Many young people came and joined in with enthusiasm especially the songs that have travelled, like 'Open The Eyes' and 'I Could Sing Of Your Love'. Some shared afterwards that they have been feeling far away from God, but tonight really spoke to them and helped them. We have also had many emails giving positive feedback from varous concerts on the tour.

So. Onwards to Kielce today, for 2 more concerts for teenagers. The first one at 9am in the morning! Who organised that?????

The climate here in Poland is changing...economically, spiritually...and I will write my thoughts later tomorrow. So tune in...

Day 6/7/8

A little bit of time to write before heading to Warsaw. Had a good time in PUSZCZA MARIANSKA...2 concerts for school students and an evening concert. A small village, so it feels good to input into a location not saturated with visiting singers, especially english ones! Then onto GORA KALWARI ( and yes I can pronounce both places perfectly!). The small church, (which houses the founding Bishop in the crypt) was a great venue, atmospheric and great for our lights and video screen. The church seemed pretty packed and the people receptive.

I have noticed an increasing number of young people at these events...which is exciting. Now onto Warsaw. for a concert pre-mass, and then post-mass in another venue! So this is really the mass and monastry tour!!! Will post some pictures later.

Day 3/4/5

Back in Czeschohowa, which is where I am based for this tour and waiting to drive to a place near Warsaw. Have had a day free and went to see 'Miss Potter' - a great and charming movie - and had 2 concerts in a school for English - and today I am working on an article and driving to Puszcza Marianska! Pronounce that!!
Tomorrow I am setting up in a culture centre with concerts for schools during the day, and an open concert in the evening!
There is a lot of interest from the young people, who are very open to 'english' people - the Poles are apparently the 3rd largest minority in the UK!

DAY 2 - NOWA SOL

Concerts en masse...in fact, concerts after Mass.
Had a great evening concert in a large church last night. Many were there, young and old. Usually we set up before mass, then move everything out of their way for evening mass, and then we hurry like mad to set it all up again as people watch in silence!! Always a little embarassing, but even more so for me yesterday, as I tripped very athletically off stage after getting caught up in some of my leads...I managed very daintily to NOT fall over as people watched in hushed tones. Realising the drama of the situation, I simply bowed and said thankyou, to a still silent audience! Good start eh?
This morning I gave 3 consecutive 45 minute concerts to teenagers, as schools sent them over to my place (the church)...It was a great morning...what opportunity to sing and speak about life and God to about 1500 teenagers! Even though Poland is a Catholic country, a lot is changing, and perhaps with each generation the reality of Jesus is diminishing...and distance and rejection to church is increasing..
And...here's a picture of me with a Capuchin Monk...they hosted the concerts....(I'm the one on the left!!!) We spent the night in the Monastry...don't think they usually have many girls stay over...It was a really interesting time...and the concerts were very well received...
and I learnt that the cappuchino connection is in the colour of the habits only...

Poland 2007 Day 1

This is the first day of a 13 day tour in Poland...and my 8th time visiting this country. The weather is great, the schedule is busy! Today we travel to the west of Poland to Nowa Sol (New Salt)..named as such because of the salt mines..and I perform a concert in a church run by Capuchin Monks. They are a reformed order of Franciscan monks...and practice austerity, simplicity, poverty and a contemplative lifestyle!!

So I will be staying overnight in a very old monastry and am preparing myself for....simplicity!! Rumour has it that the Capuchin monks invented capucchino! I am holding onto that thought and hoping!!! Then tomorrow, I do a concert for a local school...in Nowa Sol.

Always many adventures, so I will keep u updated. Maybe a few pictures too...But it's an interesting country to visit, especially as it finds its feet in the EU and faces the usual consumer and societal trends and challenges amidst a changing catholic culture.