AS Catholic mothers across Queensland were getting ready to watch their children fly out of Brisbane on August 4 for World Youth Day in Germany, one Brisbane mother was happier than most.
Kate Hobbs from Corinda Graceville Parish was set to join her 15 year-old son, Alec, on the plane for the pilgrimage of a lifetime.
Left behind was husband Keiran and four younger children in the capable hands of mother-in-law Sheila Hobbs.
The Hobbs had decided the pre-pilgrimage trip, Pathways of St Paul – Turkey and Greece, was too good an opportunity for Alec to miss.
She said Alec, a Year 10 student at Marist College, Rosalie, had been reading about St Paul’s travels since he was about 10.
“This was a safe, practical way for him to experience that same path,” she said.
Kate’s 16 year-old niece, Elise Le Feuvre, from Townsville, was also due to join them on the pilgrimage.
Kate, who turns 40 on the day the pilgrims arrive back in Brisbane, said she was looking forward to spending some quality time with her eldest son.