Fr Rob Galea

// On The Road – LA //
15
Mar

I’m sitting in a hotel room 13,000 kilometres (8,000 miles) away from home, reflecting on where my heart is. I spend so much time on the road ministering to hundreds of thousands of people around the world each year, but no matter where this ministry takes me, my heart often yearns to be home.

Celebrating Mass with over 8,000 in attendance.

I love doing what I do; I love seeing the universal Church encouraged and see people inspired to serve the Lord Jesus, but travelling, constantly being surrounded by new faces, living out of a suitcase for a good chunk of the year is far from glamorous. There are times I wish my life was simple – living in a remote country parish, attending my small but faithful flock; I would love that, but soon get restless I’m sure.

A selfie at one of my Youth Day workshops.

I have spent the last few days in Los Angeles at a Catholic conference (LA RE Congress) attended by over 40,000 people. I get invited each year to this conference by my record company (GIA) to speak and sing to the multitudes as well as connect with some inspirational Kingdom-Builders. It is so encouraging to see the Church in America so alive and well.

With Mark Hard (Bible Geek) Director of LifeTeen USA.

From here I head back to Australia where I serve on weekends in a parish, act also as the director to our diocesan youth ministry as well as chaplain to over 8,000 students in Bendigo.

It’s a busy ministry, but when all’s been said and done, I probably couldn’t have it any other way!

Please consider praying for me and this ministry (click here to see how) and follow my journey on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat (FrRobGalea) and Facebook.

// Alive //
2
Mar

This February Fr Rob recorded a remix of his song ‘Alive’ with DJ G Wizard (Ministry of Sound). This is to be released on radio around Australia and Malta. Below is a blurb about the song by John Arnold, one of the co-writers:

Sometimes when a song it written, its full significance is not quite understood at the time. Gary Pinto and I wrote ALIVE during a songwriting weekend at the end of 2013. The song was birthed quickly as we sat around talking and singing out some of the things God has done in and for us.

The song is based around 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul is encouraging the followers of Jesus in Corinth that though trials and tribulations may come our way, our faith in Jesus is not to be moved. This is because of the simple truth of the Gospel, that Jesus died and rose again – and that we died to our sins with Him, and are now ALIVE in Him. As we crafted the song, it became an anthem or sorts, with an assured declaration of our position as Sons and Daughters alive in Jesus. Our intent was in creating a song that would call out and affirm the assurance we have in Jesus, regardless of our life situations.

Although we do not always feel it, those who have called on Jesus for salvation move from Darkness to Light in a simple, supernatural transaction!! We no longer need to try and improve that which was nailed to the Cross with Jesus – our rebellious, flesh nature.It is dead and done! To become and stay ALIVE in Jesus, which only happens through the infilling of Holy Spirit, who changes us from the inside out. We then naturally bear the fruit of our being planted in the source of Righteousness, Jesus Himself. We break away from religion and move into a day by day, minute by minute relationship and reliance on God Himself for life, and life abundant He gives! We walk in the Faith of the finished work of Jesus, because He truly has gone above and beyond to draw humanity to perfect relationship with Himself.

My prayer is that ALIVE, which captures the heart and passion of Father Rob and his ministry, will call to life many who may not be living fully awake and alive in the goodness of Jesus.

The remix is an exciting addition to this song, with thanks to DJ G-Wizard for the production. Personally, I know that this song has been a prophetic word into the life that I am called to in Jesus – a life of Freedom, Authority, Overflowing Love, Joy and Passion. As the St. Paul said, “For I no longer live, but Messiah Jesus lives in me”!! (Galatians 2:20 ). We are ALIVE in Him.

Download the song ALIVE here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/alive-remix-single/id964664943

// To be ‘uncomfortable’ //
27
Jan

I am writing this from my new room in Bendigo. I just finished unboxing some of my stuff and building some new shelves!

It’s good to be back here. Bendigo was the city where I did my pastoral year when I was a seminarian in Malta. Bishop Joe Grech brought me here few years ago and certainly this town has a lot of memories for me.

Farewell is never easy. As I moved from Shepparton, I left so many memories; especially the amazing friends that I’ve made. My concert recently was a sign of gratitude especially for the people in Shepparton for being so loving and so supportive.

Moving is quite tiring! I haven’t done it for a while. A new place also gives me some new challenges. I have to adapt, to make new friends and to work in different environment and circumstances. My dog Gozo has to do the same too!

This reminds me of something. I often say that we should pray to God to make us ‘uncomfortable.’ To move outside our comfort zone is not easy. We are comfortable enough to stay in our own shell without knowing so many great things that await us. To be uncomfortable is to grow! And I guess this is the time for me to ‘walk the talk’.

Oh, just in case you haven’t heard, I am so excited that my documentary is finally launched! I would like to share with you my story about the love of God that has ‘ruined’ me forever. God wants us all to accept that love! You can watch the video here.

Let us continue to pray for each other. I just opened up a new social media channel, Snapchat to give you more behind the scenes of the stuff that I and my ministry team are doing, follow me @frrobgalea.

Blessings,

Fr Rob

// The Farewell Concert //
27
Dec

To celebrate the launch of my new album, Something About You, I and the band will perform in Shepparton on Thursday, 22^nd January 2015 at 8pm in Eastbank Centre, Shepparton. It will be our first full-band Australian concert, tickets are selling out fast, so you don’t want to miss out.

This concert is also a farewell concert to Shepparton, as the bishop of Sandhurst has moved me to a new parish in Bendigo.

Click here for ticketing and more information.

Hope to see many of you there!

Fr Rob

// The Media //
4
Dec

I just wanted to share a few words in the light of all the media attention I have been getting in Australia. There has been a lot of good that has come out of it, no doubt, and with that emails and tweets about ‘praying for my bad soul’. In spite of all of this I want to clarify where my heart stands.

First of all I am grateful for the positive press about what God is doing, especially in all of the negative press about Jesus and His Church; but let this be very clear: I have NO desire for fame or attention, my ONLY desire is to make Jesus famous.

Having said that I do understand that we often are the instruments God uses to glorify His Son. People do not see Jesus walking and talking as they did just over two thousand years ago, but they do see you and me. They see not that I am another personified Jesus, but they can see my love for Jesus in my human state – with all my joys, sorrows, strengths and weaknesses. People look to us as Christians to see Christ; it is our job therefore to point at Jesus when they do.

I spend my time and energy pointing to Jesus, but the reality is that many, and with particular help of the media, look at what they can see and understand in a way that the world knows to see and understand: they see the looks, the muscles, the talent, the influence and all things somewhat superficial. These are all good things, as God does desire health, for us to excel in our gifts and to be people of influence, but the reality is it may take a while for people to look beyond the physical and ultimately see the ‘Whom’ and not ‘what’ I am all about, and it will be only a few who do.

In conclusion I ask that you be patient, and you be understanding in the midst of misquotes and sensationalism for the sake of the few who may eventually see beyond the portrayed masquerade and eventually come to see Jesus and love Jesus who alone I desire to make famous.

// What is Stronger Retreat all about? //
19
Nov

Stronger Retreat has always been my favourite weekend of the year. I love meeting and serving young people from all different parts of Australia and to journey with them as they encounter Jesus.

Youth ministry is something that is very close to my heart because of my own experience when I was a teenager. I was rebellious, lost and broken-hearted, and one day experienced this powerful encounter that changed me for good. God embraces us and accepts us as who we are; and I want more and more people to get to know Him and His love.

I would like to invite all young people who are reading this message to consider coming to the Stronger Retreat. If you are at the age of 16 up to 26, come and join us on 5-7 December 2014 in Harrietville, Victoria. Getting in touch with our faith does not have to be boring or intimidating. Again, I believe that God meets us where we are and he loves us no matter what. All we need to do is just to be open!

This year’s theme is “The Truth Will Set You Free”. We will discuss about the truth that God wants us to know so we can live our lives to the full, to be truly free, and not just a ‘quick fix’. Join me, Paul Ninnes and Kym Keady from RealTalk Australia, who have been sharing their stories to many young people regarding their true dignity as children of God.

Apart from engaging talks and discussions, there will be opportunities to pray, to praise and worship God, and of course to journey with other young people to get in touch with our faith in a fun and relevant way.

Ok, that’s it from me. What are you waiting for? Register now at stronger.org.au/register and come and see for yourselves. Oh, subsidies are available too, contact Darcy (email: darcy.delosa@sandhurst.catholic.org.au, phone: 03 5445 3616) for details.

Hope to see you at the Retreat!

Fr Rob

// Behind The Artwork //
3
Nov

Being part of Something About You album has definitely been a big blessing!

Fr Rob and I started our brainstorming last year, having produced different concepts and ideas. It was not as easy as we thought! We spent the whole year before we arrived at our final design concept. I almost gave up; it was a long and tiring process.

It seemed that God had really encouraged us to be ever more creative and artistic.

There were (a lot of) exchanges of emails saying something like;

“I don’t think this is the one.” or “I like it, but…” and “It doesn’t really connect with the album, does it?” and so on…

We ended up with about twenty different concepts, ranging from different colour palettes, typefaces, photographs.

Fr Rob kept saying to the team that his music has changed and matured, therefore this album and its artwork had to be quite distinct from his previous music projects, to represent that change.

It also has to (somehow…) display the elements of the songs in the album. There are aspects of simplicity, intensity, calmness and contemplation. It also needs to highlight that “something” about God; his mystery that draws us to himself.

During the year, when I asked Fr Rob how he wanted the artwork to be, my favourite response from him is, “I don’t know, I want you to make the design to be… ‘something about You’!”

Thanks, Fr Rob! That really helps… not!

However, after a long process of praying, brainstorming and research (and some sleepless nights), we came up with something that eventually became the final artwork. #hallelujah

Fr Rob had the opportunity to work with Tonio Lombardi, a photographer in Malta and they came up with many great shots. However, there was one image that struck us and we think this shot displayed those elements that we were looking for. It represents prayer and contemplation of God; with the focus being God and not the person.

Being an acoustic album, we chose the off-white and grey colour palette to represent its simplicity. We also use the elements of “open hands” – to represent our longing and thirst for God. The blue and green-ish tint was added as the final touch to make the album more “alive” without neglecting the serenity and contemplative elements.

After all, this album is all about Jesus. For me personally, this whole creative process is in itself a spiritual journey. We really hope that the album, through both the songs and the artwork, will help us think, pray and reflect and eventually will draw us closer to Him. Amen!

In Christ,

Adi

Adi Indra is the designer of Something About You album artwork. He is also a second year seminarian studying for the Diocese of Sandhurst in Victoria, Australia.

// SOMETHING ABOUT YOU //
22
Oct

This October 25^th I will be releasing what I consider to be my best music project yet. Four years in the making and we finally have something beautiful to show for it. This acoustic album is the fruit of the first four years of my priestly ministry – the trials, pains, joys and successes. These songs are the stories behind the encounters with God and those moments desperately seeking His face when He is nowhere to be found. These songs are testimonies of my experience attempting to serve and be served by the people of God.

‘Something About You’ is the fruit of my journey as a new Catholic priest. There are songs about the unconditional love of Jesus, the struggle to pray and ‘say something about God’. There are also songs for Communion and the Liturgy as well as a song titled ‘Bring Us To Our Knees’ which seeks to deal with the issue of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The late Bishop Joe Grech’s voice also features in one of the songs. This record bears my soul and my passion for the Church to come alive in the love of the Lord.

This album will help you think, pray and reflect. It will be a resource for school prayer, liturgy and meditation as well as be good company on your long drives to and from work.

The 11 tracks in the ‘Something About You’ album are suitable for all ages and walks of life and involve the work of Boris Cezek (Eurovision) and Gary Pinto (XFactor Australia).

‘Something About You’ is my eighth music project (Closer [2008], What A Day [2010], Divine Mercy Chaplet [2010], Reach Out [2012], Reach Out DVD/CD [2012], Sheet Music Collection [2013], Glorify Mass Setting [2013]) and will be released and available for order from the 25^th of October 2014.

Order your copy or any other past project now from www.FrRobGalea.com or by sending a cheque of $22 per item (including postage) to Robert Galea, 121 Knight Str, Shepparton, Vic.

// Prayer Warriors //
29
Sep

This year has been a crazy one so far. Crazy in its busyness but also ‘crazy’ in how I have witnessed God’s grace working in my life and in the life of the people that I have had the privilege to minister to.

I have, for instance, just come back from Brisbane where I Spoke and sang at Ignite Conference. This is Australia’s largest annual youth conference, gathering over 1,200 teenagers from around the country. Over and over again I was brought to tears watching young people surrender their hearts and lives to Jesus as His Holy Spirit encountered them. This is what it is all about… this is why I do what I do; to see this generation find hope in Jesus.

Over the last few weeks I have been planning and organising my next two years of itinerant ministry with the help of my event manager, Jason and my parish priest. It is overwhelming to see where this ministry is going. Invitations are flooding in from all around the world including India, Malaysia, America, Canada, Africa, Europe and Australia, and it takes a lot of prayer, planning and discernment as to where to invest my limited time and energy.

My heart is restless and desires so much to reach out to a God-thirsty world, one soul at a time. But I know too well that I can not do it in my own strength. This is why I need your prayer support as we go about this ministry. We am looking for people who are willing to become ‘prayer warriors’ for the ministry; people who would commit to praying each day for us as we travel Australia and the world reaching out to tens-of-thousands of teenagers and adults each year.

If you are interested and able to become a ‘prayer warrior’ please visit the PRAYER WARRIORS page to learn how to get involved.

// Angel //
23
Aug

Hey, it’s Jason from the Fr Rob Galea Band here. I’m so excited to be involved in the release of our new single ‘Angel’!

The song was written shortly after the birth of my first child, Lily. Fr Rob and I were on tour in Tasmania and while waiting for a taxi I decided to grab my guitar. Fr Rob heard this bluegrass style guitar riff that I was playing and started singing. By the time the taxi arrived so had the the song ‘Angel’!

Download/listen to the song from iTunes, Amazon, or Spotify.

I’m still amazed by the precious miracle and blessing of the arrival of my little angel! The desire to just be with your child, the hours spent just gazing at this little gift from God. The love I was feeling towards Lily was overwhelming and the desire to want to protect her and make her happy was almost too much, I knew I couldn’t do it alone.

I would often visualise Lily in her bassinet with little angels dancing above her head having a great time together. I knew she was blessed. This had to be put into words!

‘Angel’ is a prayer for the hopes and dreams that you hold in your heart for the child that you love and treasure. The desire to see that person live with the light and freedom that comes from a love that never ends.

Jason

Catholic Priest | Singer | Songwriter | Youth Worker