Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

IL-Milied It-tajjeb

(Thanks Cappie)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Buona Notte!

The Heat is kicking in, I'm on holiday, but as with every holiday I find myself with less time on my hands. I am so excited about my upcoming trips. I just got back from Sydney yesterday and am settling back in Bendigo... tomorrow I get to spend the day in Melbourne to get some of my travel documents organized!!

Anyway... off to bed... tomorrow is going to be a busy day! Buona Notte!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Super Summer!

I am blogging here from Sydney after an amazing youth-leaders conference hosted by the Australian Bishops! It is such an exciting summer... with work, travelling, music. In less than a month I will be travelling to freezing Canada, New York and back to tropical Fiji.... I will keep this blog updated as I go...

I have also just began a new recording (not another Rob Galea CD)... more info soon!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Summer!

Exams are finally over and as of Sunday I will be on a 3-month break from the seminary. The first 2 months are packed with conferences, school visits, retreat, parish liturgies and concerts, as well as my work and travel commitments! All good, but all there help me realize that I stand and move by the grace of God!

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

It has been a short while since my previous post, but so much has been happening - including my admittance to the Candidacy - where the bishop and seminary have accepted me as an official candidate for the deaconate (next year) and Priesthood (2010)...

Apart from that I have been studying for next week's exams and preparing for some upcoming concerts and also a small retreat for the youth of Sandhurst. Check out this blog for more info >>>

Thursday, October 23, 2008

A couple of weeks until the semester is over... though there is the bridge of exams to cross! So much is lined up for this summer: work, concerts, conferences, and weekends. All good fun, though the best thing is that we get to reach out, hang out and just be with people! I love people;)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Candidacy and Coffee!

It has been a blessed few weeks… beginning with being accepted by the bishop and the seminary as a candidate to the diaconate and the priesthood. This makes me think… in a year or so I will be a deacon… It really has passed so fast, though I just can’t wait to get out there and serve the Church!

On a lighter note… I did a crazy… I bought a coffee machine – one of those small capsule ones!! Goodbye instant coffee!!!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Live Life!

Life is such a gift. It is so sad to see so many alive, but not living. It takes guts to live, and more so to live life to the full. This I believe is achieved by loving and letting others love us. (The latter is sometimes harder than the former). The thing is, if you seek to live life to the full you can not achieve it, but if you only seek to bless other people’s lives, as a consequence, your life will become a life worth living! I am far from perfect, far from holy, but every day I thank God for the gift of life!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Balanced Routine!!

I have been on holiday for the past week. It has been a good time of quiet and not-so quiet. After spending months in a strict routine it is always a challenge to find the right balance once out of that structure - trying to keep up with meeting people, visiting friends, rehearsing for gigs and getting to (having driven over 12 hours/900K's over the last week) and being on stage, whilst keeping my commitments to prayer, meditation, study and exercise!

Anyway... tonight I will be playing at a Baptist Church in Mitcham (Melbourne)... I am looking forward to it!! 

Saturday, September 13, 2008

"Performance"

Seminary mid-term break just began.... that means I have 2 weeks off; days which I will mostly spend in Bendigo trying to catch up on some essays. I have a few rehearsals and 'performances' in between. (Visit www.myspace.com/robgalea for 'performance' schedule).

"Performance"... I put this in inverted commas as I really do not my consider my concerts and so on to be performances. Its all about Jesus.... really >>> each time I appear in public I close my eyes and raise my heart to God and hope that the people in front of me will follow me there! 

Off to Echuca tomorrow to participate in a Youth Mass and then to play at a school there on Monday morning! CYA!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Finally!!


It has been a while since my last post... and this is for a number of reasons - primarily because of my studies, and a recent tendency to be a little more quiet (out of the public eye). But I have been very well.

It is so easy to lose the focus of things sometimes... a struggle to see the world through God's eyes; to get caught up with the daily storms and forget that we can simply lift our arms to our loving God and be raised above the storm. This is what I have been trying to do lately - to lift my arms and allow God to carry me to see the world, others and myself through His eyes!

Monday, August 04, 2008

WYD Videos!!!!

Hey...Back in seminary and back to studies!!
Fanatastic to be back!!

CLICK HERE
to watch video of the 13th Station at WYD where I sang....I sing 15 minutes into the video!

and

CLICK HERE for the Papal Mass Song Video... I sing 28 minutes into the video!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

WOW!!!!!

Home at last... after over 2 weeks traveling, having driven over 2,500 Km's to Sydney, Ballarat, Canberra, and Melbourne! This was such an unbelievable few days... having had over 10 performances - three of which were in front of 200,000; 180,000 and 500,000 people respectively... "wow"... that is all I can say! It will take me months to take in all God has done over the last few days!!

Tomorrow I head back to the seminary!

Here are some pics...

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Surreal WYD!

Hey...just a quick post from Sydney! All going great here...just had the wonderful opportununity of singing in front of 200,000 people last night .... twice!! It was just a surreal experience! God is too Good! I'll also be singing at tomorrow's Papal mass. This has been such an AWESOME week!

Click Here for some WYD pics >>>

Friday, July 11, 2008

Off to Sydney for WYD....
PLEASE keep the pilgrims and myself in prayer!

www.myspace.com/robgalea

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Sheet Music Released!


OUT NOW!! The Sheet Music for Piano, Guitar and Vocals, as well as lyric sheets and more. Ideal for Churches, schools and for home playing. Includes 13 songs from the What A Day project. Over 60 pages of music. Available exclusively online from www.ThatsWorship.com >>>

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Back from the Alps!

I'm back in Bendigo after spending 2 packed days in Myrtleford... Over three hours drive away. It was 2 days spent with a fantastic group of inspirational teenagers. The two-day event focused on Youth Leadership.

My busy schedule begins... with over 10 performances within the next three weeks... all this ending with the much anticipated World Youth Day! I will be resting tomorrow before all the travel begins around Victoria, the Capital Territory and New South Wales. May God be glorified!

Here is a pic of the school I spent the last two days in.... just beneath the freezing and beautiful Australian Alps.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Receive the Power Concert!

I will now also be performing at the main World Youth Day concert (over 150,000 people)... I'm so exciiiiited!!!;)

Click on Pic >

Sunday, June 22, 2008

After 8 days on silent retreat I am now in Bendigo on a short break. I feel so refreshed and ready for the upcoming World Youth Day. There is soooooo much ahead. Tonight I drive back to Melbourne for a 2 day first aid course, then a week of seminars and after that the pre-World Youth Day Days in the Diocese begin - Concerts, talks, and so much more.... I am so excited I can barely wait!! Another great thing is that my brother will be here in Australia for a few weeks!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Sheet Music on PRE-ORDER!


The WHAT A DAY sheet music for piano, guitar and vocals is soon out and can be pre-ordered at a super-low introductory price. Ideal for prayer meetings, churches and just playing at home. All proceeds go to evangelisation projects.
Order Here >>>

Monday, June 09, 2008

Press Release and Studies!

We're in the middle of exam week here... Seminaries tend to be an exciting place to be during exam time - everyone seems become hyperactive and all-round more fun!!;)

A press release about my involvement with World Youth Day has been published so I can now mention some of the events I will be a part of. I will be involved in 4 events. 3 of these events will be in front of more than 150,000 people, and one of those 3 will be at the final Papal Mass which will be attended by an estimated 1/2 a million people. Before that I will be singing at the Stations of the Cross in Barangaroo (Darling Harbour, Sydney) and also a 40 minute acoustic set on the Thursday night...

I'll tell you more about the rest soon enough!! Back to my studies!!!

Monday, June 02, 2008

Exam Week!

Exam Week!!! This is the last push - exams next week then retreat and finally...Days in the Diocese(the week leading up to WYD... a week of concerts, events and fun!!) where I will be packed with stuff to do (gigs, traveling, etc) ...ooh man...I'm so excited!

On another note... I was instituted as Acolyte yesterday by the Archbishop of Melbourne. This means that I have been accepted by the Church to be an official minister of the Eucharist.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Death?

A few days before I am to attend a funeral of a 15 year old girl and there are many questions I would like answered. There is something shocking in the death of a young person, who has not had a chance to live out her life. A story with an infinite number of possibilities… cut short. We are right to be angry about death, and anger is an important part of our grieving process. And we are also right to be angry with God, to ask God why, why did she die? Why her?

God gives, and God takes away, but there are two stories to be told of death: as terrible and as homecoming; as our end or as the beginning of our true liberty.

There may be no answers to the questions we ask when facing matters such as death, but it is at times like this that I am so glad I know a God who loves and is ready to welcome this precious teen, a child he has now called to be his own.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Festival Performance Announced!

One of my World Youth Day (WYD) performances has finally been confirmed and announced! I will be performing for a 40 minute set on Thursday 17th July from 7:30pm till 8:10 pm. This will be an unplugged set (guitar, piano and vocals) where I will be talking about my conversion and my vocation to the priesthood through some of the songs I have written. It will be a fantastic evening! See you there!

It will be at the Sydney Harbourside Amphetheatre on Thursday 17th July during the WYD Music Festival!

More WYD performancesto be announced soon!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Almost Livable!

It's amazing... I've been working hard on assignments and other studies and now, the most hectic time in the seminary, I am so relaxed! Most of my work is done, with just one assignment to hand in. After class today I spent the day cleaning and tidying my room.... it's almost livable!!;)

Last Saturday I went to a youth group to give my testimony and sing a few songs... yet another wonderful opportunity to be around youth on fire for God!


Just another reminder that my songs are now available on itunes!! Just log in to itunes and type in "Robert Galea"!

Monday, May 12, 2008

ITunes

Both of my albums are now available from iTunes!!

Enjoy!!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Some News!

What a fantastic week. It's been quite ordinary, but there is so much excitement in the air. I've been attending lectures, busy at seminary, gym and writing assignments. Apart from all this I've been fighting for time to practice for the World Youth Day (WYD) performances.

Apart from some major, mind blowing 'performances' at WYD I have been asked to take one of the main stages during the Music Festival (during the Thursday night) at WYD for a 40 minute concert. I'll be doing an acoustic set there - just piano, vocals and guitar! It's going to be awesome...to say the least!! Wohoo!!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Getting Cold!

It's getting cold here! it hailed and thundered a little in Melbourne today. Though I prefer summer on the whole, I must admit that it is nice to be coming into winter.

I found the time to begin another assignment today... this time I am writing about "Listening". Something we should do more often!! It is going to be interesting - I have also been learning a little about listening during my weekly hospital pastoral visits!!

Anyway...I'm now off to do some vocal exercises... Oh... by the way... I also got more news about my playing at World Youth Day... I can't waith to share all I will be doing!! Will keep u posted!!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Books and Bangles

Whilst still buried under my books alot has been happening with the upcoming Sydney World Youth Day in July, my songs on an American compilation, new Music Video release, and many other exciting things.

Its been so good in the seminary too... the overall silence here has really been a great opportunity for me to deepen my relationship with God and reflect on my vocation to the priesthood!! ... On another note:

I also just wanted to let you know that you can get 'bangles' from http://www.thatsworship.com/store.html.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Life!!! Love it!

It's so wonderful to be alive! It's been a while since my last post, though I have my studies to blame for that! So many essays to write and so many errands to catch up on. World Youth Day is round the corner and I can't wait for some press releases so I can share what I will be doing there. Some other great news... one of my songs made it on an international compilation CD... more news later! Back to relaxing... tomorrow I'll be buried in books once again! Lovin' it though!!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Off to Shep!

This weekend the Chuch is celebrating the Good Shepherd so I have been sent to Shepparton (2 1/2 hours from Melbourne) to share about my vocation during the Masses there!! Its so nice to be able to do that after an intense time at my desk finishing off essays. So far 3 assignments have been completed (over 8,000 words in total), and on Monday I begin yet another on the Gospel of Matthew!
Lake view in Shepparton above!

A reminder to check out my newly updated website on www.ThatsWorship.com!!


God bless!!!!

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Incredibamazing?!?!

I just got back from an incredibamazing (??!!?) week away. Starting off with a Jars of Clay and PlanetShakers concert, followed by a road-trip to Adelaide where I hung out with friends, spoke and sang at a fantastic youth meeting and just relaxed!! It was a 14-plus hour drive back to Melbourne as we took the Great Ocean Drive. Now back to work... and looking forward to it too!

Foot Of The Cross music video is being launched today in Sydney and should be online very soon. My new website will also be up very soon I hope!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Jars of Clay and Adelaide

Happy Easter!! A last post before I leave bendigo to Melbourne for a "Jars of Clay" Concert and then a road-trip to Adelaide!! Wohoooo!!! Easter ceremonies were incredible and so uplifting!
God bless!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Update!?!

I have been busy essay writing lately - I am 1/3rd of the way through my 1st one!! The rest of my day is spent at the bishop's house in Bendigo learning from his inspirational teachings on St Paul!!

Also of worthy note (or is it worthy of note!!?):
  • New (ThatsWorship.com) Website Soon Up!!
  • Tomorrow I become a lector!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Heat, Writing, Lector and Road-Trip to Adelaide!

Autumn is a few days away and it is a whopping 38 decrees Celsius here in Melbourne! I have been keeping very busy with lectures, essay writing (in the middle of a 6,000 word essay at the moment), and preparing for Holy Week. I will be spending a week at the Bishop Joe’s house for some intense teaching, and will also be receiving the minor order of Lector on Holy Thursday!!

Then, after celebrating Resurrection Sunday I drive off to Adelaide (10 hour drive) for a few days holidays with 3 other friends!!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Week of Adventure!!

It has been a few days since my lat post, as Internet is not so accessible here! Apart from that my time has been so taken up with studies, prayer... (and gym;)! I have been having such a blessed time here, learning so much through my studies, and through the many wonderful people I am living with!

On another note, I had a poisonous spider in my room the other day... managed to get rid of it, though I am a little paranoid at the moment, feeling spiders on me that are not there;)

Today is my 'day off' where I get to catch up with some academic stuff, emails and meet some friends - tonight I am off to meet a friend of mine who is a Spanish singer (also sings in the WYD song with me)!

Anyway... praying for you guys in Malta!! Election day!! God bless!!

Friday, February 29, 2008

Finally…time to sit down before the computer and post something! It’s been a rewarding week. Lectures have begun and I have also actually started studying. I have to get as much covered as possible before World Youth Day. There is a real atmosphere of study and reflection here and it has been so nice building new friendships. It’s amazing how God gives the grace to enjoy life and feel at home even so far away from family and friends.

On another note, I will soon have a new website on ThatsWorship.com or RobertGalea.com and my music video is ready and almost ready to be launched. I will put up a clip of it shortly and will be launching it towards the end of March in collaboration with FaithTrip.net (a new Catholic personal and community space).

Friday, February 22, 2008

Update from Melbourne!

One week has passed since moving into the seminary right in the city of Melbourne to continue my studies. It’s been an interesting week where I have been doing a lot of thinking though I must admit I have not quite settled down yet. The guys here (almost 50 of us) are fantastic – coming from all over the world – Korea, India, Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Malta, Africa and more… It’s a wonderful multi-cultural community. I begin my studies next Monday and will also be working in a local hospital once a week. It is going to be an exciting few years!!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Heading off to Seminary!

I'm off!!! Just a few minutes before I drive to Melbourne towards the seminary... exciting, but I need all the prayers I can get! I still have no idea of internet access in there... I will keep you posted!

By the way...I got a scanned copy of the article...thanks so much!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Scan me a copy??

I am in the city of Melbourne for a few days working on some cover version recordings for an upcoming event! I love it! On another note... the music video of Foot Of The Cross is soon out - filming is completed and it should be released by March 2008. So exciting! Also... yesterday there was an interview/article about me released on the Times Of Malta apparently - if anyone has a scanner and can send me the article please do so at info@thatsworship.com - thanks a MILLION!!!

Saturday, February 09, 2008

I am sitting back by my computer listening to music and thinking how great it is to be alive! I know life is full of ups and downs, and the thing is in 'down times' we forget the ups, but life is good when lived for a higher cause than ourselves!! True!

My entry date to the Melbourne seminary is approaching... 1 week to go and I am excited and scared at the same time! Went to some horse races today - fantastic experience!!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Just got back from Sydney yesterday and what an fruitful time it was. We began the filming of a new music video with an amazing team - including an award winning film director, fantastic actress and more...more to be revealed soon. I also had some very good meetings for upcoming BIG concerts and performances.

Seminary begins in 11 days - it will be a little hard settling down in such a hard routine after a year and a half away from seminary life, but I must admit I am somewhat excited!!

Tomorrow we will be having a parish Adoration here in Kennington, and on Friday I go back to Catholic College to play a few songs! Wohooo!! Hi Five!!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Off to Sydney!

Just a quick post before I head off to the airport. I'm going to Sydney for 4 days to record a music video and have a few important meetings. An article came out on Zenit about me... read here>>>

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Ok, so its been a few days since my last post. I've had yet another eventful week, from playing at a Jesus Youth conference in Melbourne - amazing group of teenagers - to spending time with Bishop Joe to preparing to enter the Melbourne seminary (in 2 weeks), to sitting through interviews and more...

I am also off to Sydney this weekend for some meetings and to work on a new video project! All exciting, though... it's strange as I stand in a very "unknown" place at the moment, knowing very little of what the near and far future holds in store - with seminary, studies, music and so on! My consolation is that God stands by my side!!! (sniff, sniff..ref to pic above;) Anyway... pls pray for me!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Feeding the Possum!


It's been a week since I arrived here and so much has happened since. I have been missing my family and friends, though at the same time I am so happy to be here. My CD's (What A Day) have just arrived in Australia and I can launch them here soon.

As time goes by I am realising more and more how happy I am to be called to possibly serve others through the priesthood, though I do feel so incapable and unworthy...anyway!!

Last night I went out with some wonderful people tor an Italian meal followed by a walk in the park to feed some possums (picture) , then to a banquet of desserts!! I have been eating so much since I arrived!!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Computer Blues!

It's been a good few days. I have been waking up earlier than usual (5 am to be precise) and begin my day with a good, relaxed time of prayer. Yesterday I drove nearly 2 hours for a few interviews, and today I had lunch with the bishop and some other Maltese people (we ate timpana!!!) after giving the Sunday mass homilies in 2 churches.

My computer is drivving me crazy...it is as slow as... I have no idea what is possessing it, though I will have to format my whole computer if it persists! Aaaaghhhhhhhhh!!!

Tomorrow... my diary is packed... but my day includes going to try and get a car, going to the gym (hopefully), and planning a short trip to Sydney.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

An early morning ... A great man!

It's been almost 4 days since I arrived here in Australia and I have still not got into the right sleeping patterns. You see, there are 10 hours difference between here and Malta and so I find myself wide awake by 3 am. This morning I managed to prolong my sleep till 5am after which I had some time to pray, wash the dishes, go to mass, then to the gym and then some catching up with emails and friends;)

This afternoon and tomorrow morning we have the vigil and funeral of a holy man. Mons John Duffus was my spiritual director and confessor all last year while I was here. He will be greatly missed!

Below... The house where I am living & Church... and Mons John Duffus ->

Monday, January 14, 2008

In Sunny Australia

After over 24 hours of traveling I am back in Bendigo Australia. I feel as though I never left, though I had the most amazing 4 months in Malta working with Y4J, recording and releasing a new album and the launch concert. I begin the seminary here in a month and will be settling here in the same parish I was last year for the coming month!

I'm going out to do some errands, among which is to buy a wire to connect my camera to my computer (I left it in Malta).

Friday, January 11, 2008

New Myspace Up!


My new Myspace is up! Check it out!!

I leave for Australia tomorrow!!! Please keep me in your prayers!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Soon Leaving!

Just a couple of days before I leave for Australia and I am full of mixed feelings. I so want to serve God and go wherever He seems to be leading me, but it is so hard sometimes. It's hard for family and friends too... though I go to Australia with a glad heart, I do!

I began packing my bags today and had a few farewell parties which I so cherish. I also have one last interview tomorrow and a meal with all the Maltese seminarians...after that family time before I leave on Saturday!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Some Photos of the concert!





1st Launch Concer Night!

Lats night's concert went very well I think. I was super nervous to start off with but managed to relax half way through! Tonight will be great!

If anyone has any pics or videos of the night please send them (or their links) here!