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Catholic Life
Publication of the Diocese of Sale
Headline award to Cath Life Page 3
ISSUE 154
Reflections from Madrid Pages 10-12
September 2011
Pakenham dad is Father of the Year - Page 20
Madrid pilgrims return
WORLD Youth Day pilgrims from Sale Diocese surround Bishop Christopher Prowse for a group shot before going their separate ways.
OUR World Youth Day pilgrims have all returned home safely. much enthused by their experiences in Madrid. For one of our travellers the trip home was delayed when air sickness forced her off the plane, but she arrived home the day after everyone else. More than 50 pilgrims from our diocese made the trip with
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the majority travelling as a group, although some joined other groups. Our pilgrims were hosted in Toledo during the Days in the Diocese which preceded the WYD activities in Madrid. The experience of being paired with a religious sister who prayed for them individually is one which many have spoken of as being a highlight of the trip.
Of course the activities in Madrid with the sleep-out for the final events with Pope Benedict XVI were also highlights, especially the storm which swept over the location, scattering tents and belongings. The main adoration tent collapsed at the height of the storm and so many pilgrims were denied the opportunity to take the eucharist as many hosts were damaged.
Oppressive heat and competing with two million other pilgrims vying to occupy the same space will be talked about for years to come. Fire cannons spraying a cooling mist of water above pilgrims in an effort to provide relief from the heat will also be remembered. Most of our pilgrims were fortunate enough to see Pope Benedict at a close distance
When you donate to the Bishop’s Family Foundation you can be assured that the money will be assisting families in need for many years to come. Donated funds are held in a trust account to go on earning interest year after year. It is the income from these investments which have led to more than $700,000 being to organisations running programs to assist families in Sale Diocese.
Send tax deductible donations to Bishop’s Family Foundation, PO Box 508, Sale, 3853 Phone 5144 6132 for more information
as he drove by, but in such a large crowd had to be content with looking at the large video screens during the Mass. After World Youth Day our pilgrims travelled on a group to Javier Castle, the birthplace of St Francis Xavier.
• World Youth Day photos and reflections Pages 10-12