Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
17 May 2013
More than 600 people including students, teachers and parents gathered in St Mary's Cathedral this morning to be commissioned by His Eminence Cardinal Pell as pilgrims for the Catholic Education Office (CEO) WYD pilgrimage to Rio in 2013. The Mass was concelebrated by the official WYD chaplains who are accompanying the pilgrims through Santiago, Lima, Peru, Rio de Janeiro and Iguacu Falls.
His Eminence, who has always been a great WYD supporter, told the students that WYD is a great opportunity to strengthen their faith and continue to learn more about the church.
" However don't go expecting to be comfortable," he reminded them.. Sharing stories of his previous WYD experiences the Cardinal commented; "Patience is needed during WYD. Be prepared for anything, but always remember we are pilgrims, not tourists".
The Sydney CEO delegation will comprise over 350 pilgrims including students and teachers who will embark on a journey to WYD with a particular feature on mission.
The group will engage in mission work with the Christian Life Movement, a local Peruvian community working with the poor and marginalised.
At the end of Mass, Dr Dan White, Executive Director of the CEO said to everyone; "Pilgrimages have a unique opportunity to take you back to your past, bring you into the present and connect you with the future".
"You will also be experiencing poverty and situations which will challenge your faith and make you realise the comfort of our lives". He encouraged the pilgrims to not be scared of this because "you will come to believe in Christ, because you have seen the face of Christ in your travels".
The first reading of the Mass was spoken in Portuguese, and some of the hymns chosen also included verses sung in different languages.
"The Mass was a good beginning for me, and it helped me realise more of what we are about to undertake on our pilgrimage" said Ebony Taulaga, a Year 11 student from Mount St Joseph Milperra. Ebony is also looking forward to visiting Peru and experiencing the different lifestyle of the community she will be working with. "It will be challenging, but I think it will be a life changing experience for me" she commented.
At the conclusion of the Mass, all pilgrims received a special blessing from His Eminence as he commissioned them as pilgrims of their schools, but also of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
David Cloran, Archdiocesan Youth Ministry coordinator who has been working hard on organising the efforts of the CEO pilgrimages to WYD, announced after the Mass that due to the fundraising efforts of the CEO students and through private sponsorship, they were able to sponsor 18 young people from Iquitos in Peru to travel to Rio. "This is due to the generous effort of our students, and school communities who have supported our WYD efforts so generously" said David.
Fr John Andersen, an Archdiocese of Sydney priest permanently stationed in Iquitos on mission, will be accompanying the local young pilgrims to join with the Australian delegation.
Over the coming weeks, pilgrims will continue to receive formation before they depart for their pilgrimages in July. In his final remarks, Dr Dan White commented that he hopes that the pilgrims will "gain a strong belief in Christ, because you would have met the true face of Christ in your travels".
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
17 May 2013
Students, teachers and parents are attended the CEO - WYD pilgrim mass
His Eminence, who has always been a great WYD supporter, told the students that WYD is a great opportunity to strengthen their faith and continue to learn more about the church.
" However don't go expecting to be comfortable," he reminded them.. Sharing stories of his previous WYD experiences the Cardinal commented; "Patience is needed during WYD. Be prepared for anything, but always remember we are pilgrims, not tourists".
Fr Greg Morgan preaches the Gospel
The group will engage in mission work with the Christian Life Movement, a local Peruvian community working with the poor and marginalised.
At the end of Mass, Dr Dan White, Executive Director of the CEO said to everyone; "Pilgrimages have a unique opportunity to take you back to your past, bring you into the present and connect you with the future".
"You will also be experiencing poverty and situations which will challenge your faith and make you realise the comfort of our lives". He encouraged the pilgrims to not be scared of this because "you will come to believe in Christ, because you have seen the face of Christ in your travels".
David Cloran
"The Mass was a good beginning for me, and it helped me realise more of what we are about to undertake on our pilgrimage" said Ebony Taulaga, a Year 11 student from Mount St Joseph Milperra. Ebony is also looking forward to visiting Peru and experiencing the different lifestyle of the community she will be working with. "It will be challenging, but I think it will be a life changing experience for me" she commented.
At the conclusion of the Mass, all pilgrims received a special blessing from His Eminence as he commissioned them as pilgrims of their schools, but also of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Fr John Andersen baptizing in his parish
Fr John Andersen, an Archdiocese of Sydney priest permanently stationed in Iquitos on mission, will be accompanying the local young pilgrims to join with the Australian delegation.
Over the coming weeks, pilgrims will continue to receive formation before they depart for their pilgrimages in July. In his final remarks, Dr Dan White commented that he hopes that the pilgrims will "gain a strong belief in Christ, because you would have met the true face of Christ in your travels".
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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