Archdiocesan pilgrims a hit in Australia

- CNS photo/Paul Haring Archbishop Richard Smith and World Youth Day pilgrims from the Edmonton Archdiocese enjoy their time waiting in line to enter St. Mary's Cathedral in Sidney on July 16.

We have just hosted 73 pilgrims from parishes in and around Edmonton (Holy Family, Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart in Wetaskiwin, St. Vital in Beaumont, St. Anthony in Lloydminster and a group from the Archdiocese of Edmonton), including your Archbishop Richard Smith.

You should be very proud of the young people who are representing your parishes at WYD in Sydney. From the time they arrived here in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, till the time they left, they were true examples of how young Christian adults should behave.

They were respectful and grateful for what we were able to do for them, but above all they came to our parish full of enthusiasm, energy and vitality. If these young people are the future of your Church in Edmonton then you have a very promising future together.

The highlight for us was the closing Mass, which was concelebrated by Archbishop Smith, Father Stan Griffiths, our acting parish priest, and Father Lawrence Aguchukwu. It really was uplifting to see the way in which we all celebrated Mass together.

Our families who hosted your pilgrims also spoke very highly of them. The only complaint I had was that there was not enough time to spend with the pilgrims. They are welcome back at any time.

Your pilgrims have had a profound effect on our parish and even though their visit with us was short, they have motivated us to look beyond our current situation to look at ways in which we too can encourage our youth to be as active in our Church as your pilgrims so obviously are.

Congratulations on a fine group of young adults.

Mark Skippington
Manager, parish services
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish
Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

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