ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY RELEASE
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
4 Jun 2012
An Australian delegation of around 60 people were among the estimated 850,000 pilgrims gathered at Bresso Airport in Milan for the final World Meeting of Families mass with Pope Benedict XVI yesterday.
With flags flying from the 154 countries represented at the 7th World Meeting of Families the Pope arrived for the open air mass to a rousing reception which was the culmination of a three day Pastoral and Theological Congress on "Work and Celebration".
Those attending the various talks from prelates and professors included the Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell and the Director of the Life, Marriage and Family Centre of the archdiocese, Chris Meney.
"The importance of family time together around the meal table and in prayer, especially the rosary, was a common theme during the Congress," Chris Meney said.
"The complementary and reciprocal relationships which exist within the natural family were also explored at some depth.
"It was revealed how all family members have a mutual responsibility to one another and how each parent, son or daughter is defined by their relationships with others in the family, " he said.
At a media conference during the week Cardinal Pell said the church is always ready to defend and work with the family and to resist those secular forces which seek to reduce it to an economic unit.
Ron and Mavis Pirola coordinated the Australian pilgrim group - mostly families with about 20 children under the age of ten. Cardinal Pell or Bishop Brady provided Mass each day at one of the local churches in Milan however one of the highlights was a special Mass for the Australian pilgrims and friends on Saturday in the historic church of St Maria St Satrio built in the 15th century but which is attached to a chapel that was built in the 9th century.
On Saturday evening at the Vigil celebration with families, the Pope shared his own childhood experiences of family life. He told how there was always music in the family with his brother, a noted musicians, and much singing. The Holy Father said despite the challenges of the time he always felt that he was surrounded by love.
During the final Mass yesterday the Pope expanded this theme saying the traditional family values and Sunday rest were key to escaping the ills of modern society.
He said;" Dear families, despite the relentless rhythms of the modern world, do not lose a sense of the Lord's day." Describing the tradition of resting on Sunday as an "oasis in which to pause....and celebrate the family."
He said especially in times of economic crisis and social unease, families should celebrate Sunday as "the day of man and his values: conviviality, friendship, solidarity, culture, closeness to nature, play and sport".
The Pope also spoke to divorced believers saying the Church still loved them and supports them.
The Pope's words were also not lost on the politicians gathered in the financial and fashion centre of Italy when he recognised the struggles of many families as a result of the economic crisis, chiding and calling on politicians to keep their promises and asking businesses to take a genuine interest in their employees and families. The Pope also suggested those who are not struggling financially and are living in countries that are better off economically could sponsor a family who is facing financial difficulties in a poorer country.
Following the final Mass a small group of families were fortunate to share lunch with Pope Benedict XVI and a handful of Cardinals including Cardinal Pell.
The Green family, Parramatta Diocese delegates to the Conference represented Oceania joined the group of 15 families when they were driven under police escort to the Cardinal of Milan's residence near the Cathedral.
For Donna, Stuart, Anna and Jack is was an especially privileged moment - and possibly more so for Jack who is a young Parramatta seminarian. In fact when the Holy Father was told Jack was in the seminary he referred to his sister as "Sister Anna".
"Of course no pressure!, " Ann O'Brien, the senior manager of CatholicCare Social Services with the Diocese of Parramatta said.
Chris Meney said those who were able to attend the conference benefited from a "wonderful, prayerful and rich experience".
The pontiff also announced the next World Meeting of Families will take place in Philadelphia in the United States in 2015.
And in a surprise comment the Pope said he hoped to meet with Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia in 2015 - "God willing".
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
4 Jun 2012
Families gather at World Meeting of Families in Milan
With flags flying from the 154 countries represented at the 7th World Meeting of Families the Pope arrived for the open air mass to a rousing reception which was the culmination of a three day Pastoral and Theological Congress on "Work and Celebration".
Those attending the various talks from prelates and professors included the Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell and the Director of the Life, Marriage and Family Centre of the archdiocese, Chris Meney.
"The importance of family time together around the meal table and in prayer, especially the rosary, was a common theme during the Congress," Chris Meney said.
Many families attended the conference in Milan, Italy
"It was revealed how all family members have a mutual responsibility to one another and how each parent, son or daughter is defined by their relationships with others in the family, " he said.
At a media conference during the week Cardinal Pell said the church is always ready to defend and work with the family and to resist those secular forces which seek to reduce it to an economic unit.
Ron and Mavis Pirola coordinated the Australian pilgrim group - mostly families with about 20 children under the age of ten. Cardinal Pell or Bishop Brady provided Mass each day at one of the local churches in Milan however one of the highlights was a special Mass for the Australian pilgrims and friends on Saturday in the historic church of St Maria St Satrio built in the 15th century but which is attached to a chapel that was built in the 9th century.
Green Family - Jack, Stuart, Donna and Anna
During the final Mass yesterday the Pope expanded this theme saying the traditional family values and Sunday rest were key to escaping the ills of modern society.
He said;" Dear families, despite the relentless rhythms of the modern world, do not lose a sense of the Lord's day." Describing the tradition of resting on Sunday as an "oasis in which to pause....and celebrate the family."
He said especially in times of economic crisis and social unease, families should celebrate Sunday as "the day of man and his values: conviviality, friendship, solidarity, culture, closeness to nature, play and sport".
Seminarian Jack Green
with the menu from his lunch
with Pope Benedict XVI in Milan.
with the menu from his lunch
with Pope Benedict XVI in Milan.
The Pope's words were also not lost on the politicians gathered in the financial and fashion centre of Italy when he recognised the struggles of many families as a result of the economic crisis, chiding and calling on politicians to keep their promises and asking businesses to take a genuine interest in their employees and families. The Pope also suggested those who are not struggling financially and are living in countries that are better off economically could sponsor a family who is facing financial difficulties in a poorer country.
Following the final Mass a small group of families were fortunate to share lunch with Pope Benedict XVI and a handful of Cardinals including Cardinal Pell.
The Green family, Parramatta Diocese delegates to the Conference represented Oceania joined the group of 15 families when they were driven under police escort to the Cardinal of Milan's residence near the Cathedral.
For Donna, Stuart, Anna and Jack is was an especially privileged moment - and possibly more so for Jack who is a young Parramatta seminarian. In fact when the Holy Father was told Jack was in the seminary he referred to his sister as "Sister Anna".
"Of course no pressure!, " Ann O'Brien, the senior manager of CatholicCare Social Services with the Diocese of Parramatta said.
The Pope speaking of his own family
while a 7-year old Vietnamese girl listens intently
while a 7-year old Vietnamese girl listens intently
The pontiff also announced the next World Meeting of Families will take place in Philadelphia in the United States in 2015.
And in a surprise comment the Pope said he hoped to meet with Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia in 2015 - "God willing".
Pope Benedict XVI with one of
the younger conference
attendees
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY WEBSITE
| 
The faithful gather for Mass in Milan
| 
The Holy Father
|
Comments