BRISBANE’S West Deanery is “proud” to be sponsoring 14 young people to attend World Youth Day in Spain next month even though the pilgrims will be “sleeping in a bull ring”.
Deanery projects officer Michael Doherty said their commitment was in response to “Pope Benedict’s invitation”.
Pilgrims from Brisbane’s west will be joining a larger group of Queenslanders accompanied by Bishop Joseph Oudeman.
They will depart on a 16-day pilgrimage to include four nights staying in Cordoba diocese, Spain, to experience Days in the Diocese.
It’s there they’ll be “spending the night sleeping in a bull ring”, Michael said.
“All across Spain, parishes and communities will welcome the youth of the world in an amazing expression of Christian hospitality,” he said.
“This will be an opportunity to experience the people of Spain with their deep traditions and spiritual heritage.
“It will be a time of cultural exchange, dialogue, worship and celebration as pilgrims gather and prepare for the great WYD week that will follow.”
Michael said the 14 were looking forward to being among daily catechesis and the estimated two million people at the concluding Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.
The group includes Larry Huynh and Mehere Maladina, from Corinda-Graceville parish; Dieu Tran, from Darra-Jindalee parish; Francis Hoang, Peter Nguyen and Tam Nguyen, from Inala parish; Patrick Brearley, from Indooroopilly parish; Kate Lambkin, Dave Nightingale and Anne Wilson, from Kenmore parish; Joe Blaney, Rachael Twigg and Brooke Walsh, from Toowong parish; and Matthew Cranston, from St Lucia parish.
In addition to the 14 deanery-sponsored pilgrims, there are another 10 young adults travelling to WYD from Brisbane West Deanery with other pilgrimage groups or independently.
In the lead-up to next month’s departure, the collective group have been involved in a series of monthly formation days as well as prayerful, liturgical and social events.
Yesterday (July 30) they were to join Brisbane West dean Fr Gerry Kalinowski for a retreat.
The day concluded with a commissioning at the Vigil Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Corinda.
See all their latest happenings at www.brisbanewestdeanery.com.au
