Italian Pilgrims Make Detour On Way Home

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday July 23, 2008

John Shearman

CIVIC Park echoed to the sounds of praise yesterday after 115 Italian Catholic revellers, fresh from World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney, dropped in.

The visitors from Padua are members of the Neocatechumenal Community within the church and have been in Australia since July 10. They have commuted daily between their camping grounds in Toukley and the Sydney celebrations.

A handful of members were invited to join the Catholic clergy during last week's celebrations.

The group said its whirlwind visit to Newcastle was prompted by an invitation from Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell and was squeezed into an already-packed itinerary before members leave for home tomorrow.

The group is already planning to attend the 2011 World Youth Day in Spain.

John Shearman

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home