From Mess to Press!

A few months ago I got interviewed by an Australian Catholic magazine. They wanted to know about my conversion and why I chose to become a Catholic priest.

The article got published and before I knew it I got 'flooded' by emails and calls from local and even international journalists wanting to know more. In fact there are four magazines reporting the same story from a different angle this month alone (Contact Magazine, Kairos Magazine, Catholic Viewpoint and Osservatore Romano).

I am just amazed that God would choose to give people hope from my messed up past.

"If You can take and use it Lord... here it is... all of it!"

I will try to scan and post an article or two soon! Ohh... and HAPPY EASTER!!

// Chilax //

Ever lose sleep worrying about something, only to wake the next morning wondering why you made such a big 'fuss' over the issue? I do!! I recently got a MASSIVE telephone bill which I knew I could not have incurred. To cut a long story short, I lost some sleep and allowed anxiety to get the better of me.

But today (2 weeks later) I thank God for that incident because it helped me come to the realisation that my peace of mind is much more valuable than the few hundred dollars I may have to pay. Romans 8:28 says that God will use EVERY situation for the good of those who listen to, love and trust in Him. Allowing ourselves undue anxiety makes us unable to listen, to trust and to love!

Next time, instead of letting my tension rise I am going to chilax and face it with the understanding that all I have (including my money) is in God's hands, and if I have to pay the massive bill I do it trusting that life will go on and, if I am ready to listen to God speak through the situation, He will use it for my good!

Four Pillars

I'm at a point where I am enjoying my lifestyle more than ever. Not that life has become easier, or that I am more settled. Quite the contrary... my life is getting more busy, relationships and situations more complicated and I seem to be living out of a suitcase as much as I am in my own bedroom.

Despite all this I love the way my lifestyle is going... in all my movement, travels, music, studies, pastoral care and parish and seminary life there is a foundation of habits that keeps me sane and smiling:

• Prayer,
• Study,
• Maintaining and building friendships, and
• Exercise.

These 4 things are the pillars that keep my life constant in my not-so-regular lifestyle.

The thing is: we all live busy lives, and all need to have these four pillars in as part of our daily routine... even if it means praying as you wash the dishes, listening to an audiobook as you drive to work, calling, or meeting (not just on Facebook!!) one friend, and walking once around your block before your evening shower!

// Coming Up to Breathe //

I'm finally 'home' and have a decent few hours to think and breathe. It's been a hectic few weeks with parish work, visiting the sick, attempting to write some new songs, and travelling: I drove over 2,000Km's this week alone...

I will be working on four major projects this year and the long drives have given me the space to think them out. From a new album (and all that it entails - CD design, new website, recording, songwriting, etc) to planning and writing my academic thesis, to planning my ordination to the Priesthood and preparing for Stronger Camp 2010.

It's going to be a good, good year!

"What Do You Say?" - Live

Video Blog 1 2010 - Creativity!

Kerang Update...

I am writing this post from a small coffee shop, in the little country town of Kerang where I have been posted for 6 weeks. One month has passed and I am just loving this place... A town of 3,000 or so people (Catholics being about 25%).

Most of my time here is spent preparing homilies, preaching, visiting schools, singing, visiting the sick, preparing couples for marriage, weddings and baptisms... as well as a fair share of cooking (which was all delightful until I tried to cook rabbit)! I'm also required to do a decent amount of travelling, as I also preach at two other churches 60km's away from Kerang, so I average 200k's every weekend!

Anyway, life and ministry has been good here in Kerang... It has certainly shown me that I do not need a big city to be happy... All I need is people and to continually rely on God's grace!

Blessings!!

R

Advice and Accountability...

Accountability is a good thing: to be people who are ready to get advice when we need it. Too often, because of emotions, tiredness and bias we tend not to see things clearly. Those who keep to themselves, and are not open to asking for help are liable to getting advice from all the wrong places!

One of these "wrong places" is fear. Never take advice from your fears!! In other words: do not go back on a decision you made at a time of courage and clarity when you are fearful and confused!

We do get scared, but our "territory" (1 Chr 4:10 - Bible) is increased when we move forward on previous, positive decisions in spite of our fears!

Christmas Message!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Almost 5 days have passed since I was ordained a deacon and I am posting this blog from Tropical Cairns in Queensland where I am enjoying time with my parents. The ordination celebration was one that surpassed my expectations. It was such an honour to be surrounded by friends and my parents who came over from Malta for this special occasion.

Over 1,000 people packed the Bendigo Cathedral; a decent number of whom flew in from Sydney, Adelaide, and two bus-loads of people took the two-hour drive there and back from Melbourne. What an honour!

The service took the form of a mass, attended to by some 50 priests and presided by Bishop Joe Grech. It was a peaceful and prayerful experience, helped a lot by the magnificent choir and music present. After the mass there were drinks and some food offered, accompanied by some live music. I could not have imagined a clearer and fresher spring evening!

I have spent 7 years in formation and am more passionate about my vocation today than I have ever been. I am looking forward to work with and serve the people here in Australia over the next few years, and possibly returning to Malta after that. I will be working in a country parish over the summer (Kerang) and a more suburban parish after that (Benalla) while I finish off my last year at university.

My ordination to the priesthood is planned for October 2010 in Malta! I excitedly await to seeing you there!

I pray you are all well… thanks so much for your beautiful and encouraging emails. Wishing you were all here!

God bless!
(Rev. ;) Rob

Ordained!

Overwhelmed by the love of God and the amazing people in my life! Last Friday 20th November I was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Joe Grech at an amazing and peaceful ceremony, before 1,000 faithful at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo, Australia.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support!!
The best is yet to come!!!

Diaconate Ordination

Just 3 days until my Ordination to the Diaconate and I am lying in bed unable to sleep with excitement. I am excited about what is to come but just as excited about what God has done to bring me to this point!

Who would have thought?!? A rebellious teenager picked out from a crowd to serve a great God in and through ordained ministry!? I could have thought of 'better' things to do with my life; my family and friends too could have given a few sugestions... but a Deacon? A priest?!

Humbled and honoured I am excited because if God has the ability to bring me to this point, with a life lived in His grace, I know that the best is yet to come!

Stronger 2009 Promo Video!

"More of You" Re-Release!!

It's official... the re-release of my 2004 EP "More of You" is NOW OUT on iTunes and CDBaby.com. This is the digital release of my very first recording project which went out of print in 2006! To celebrate the re-release we are including a never-before released song "Reign in Glory"!

iTunes >>>>

CD Baby >>>>

New Song

"GOD DOES NOT MAKE RUBBISH"

Download it from iTunes!

LISTEN TO SONG (Free) >>>

DOWNLOAD SONG (iTunes) >>>

IF YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE SONG PLEASE RATE SONG AND LEAVE A REVIEW

DOWNLOAD LYRICS & GUITAR CHORDS >>>

This is a song written by Seminarian Rob Galea and Bishop Joe Grech, using the words that Bishop Joe loves to use during his passionate preaching!

"God Does Not Make Rubbish" features Bishop Joe Grech.

Also e available from

Napster, Rhapsody and other digital music stores...

NEW SONG... Coming Very Soon!

Download Guitar Chords Here...

//Loved//

30-days of silence and prayer are over and now the new Seminary semester begins. I am so excited about this semester - Ordination to Diaconate (God willing), new subjects to study, a few concerts (www.ThatsWorship.com for more info), recording and just enjoying and digging deeper into the mind and heart of God!

A small note: It is such an amazing gift to feel loved, accepted and liked!! But so many of us walk through life feeling that we need to prove ourselves; that we need to win the love and acceptance of others. My prayer for you is that you would realise, even for just a moment, just how loved and treasured you are by the One who made you!! You ARE loved... "Lord, teach me to let You love me!!"

Thank God For Music!

Thank God for the gift of music!!! The right music helps us turn our hearts to the right place... here are some New Christian Releases I recommend:

1. Life Light Up - Christy Nockels

Available from Amazon.com and iTunes

2. The Power of One - Israel Houghton

Available from Amazon.com

(iTunes Australia and Europe don't seem to have it.)

3. Faith+Hope+Love - Hillsong

Available from Amazon.com and iTunes.

All of these CD's have been a real blessing for me over the last few weeks!! Get a hold of at least one and let me know what you think!!

// AWAY //

Hey... This is a quick "public notice" letting u know that I will me on silent retreat until the 20th of July! Ill try to leave some of my thoughts on Twitter every few days (twitter.com/robgalea) but will not be able to respond to emails, comments, etc!

Please say a small prayer for me... Silence and I don't get on too well!! ;)

Singing before 200,000!