From Australia: Maria’s Diary - Catechesis and Barbeques in Sydney

16 July 2008

Maria Brennan is a parishioner at Clifton Cathedral and she’s just began a memorable trip to Australia for World Youth Day (WYD). Maria’s keeping a diary for cliftondiocese.com and this is her seventh entry.

Out early today (7.45 am) to travel by train to the leafy western suburb of Strathfield and the parish of St Martha's. We will be there for the next three days to learn more about our Catholic faith.

Today our teaching was given by a bishop from Nebraska who spoke about the influences of the modern world which can lead us astray without us realising it.  He told us how fortunate he had been in having caring brothers and sisters and friends to look after him when both his father and mother died when he was 10 years old. After his talk he answered lots of questions.

After Mass the parishioners laid on a tasty barbeque!

We were then free to return to the city and take part in one or more of the many WYD activities but first we went to se the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge and I’ve sent you the pictures on me there.  I also had a photograph with some policemen who travel around on bicycles.

Then my Dad and I went to St Aloysius Catholic College which is run by Jesuits in North Sydney where we heard a pro-life talk, went to a concert given by the dads of students at the college.  I took some pictures there and then went to another concert called Worship in the City and finally a talk about women in Africa.

A very busy day and very tiring!

More from Australia.

Maria’s previous diary entry.

Meet more of our WYD pilgrims.

This week’s Clifton Diocese event for young people who couldn’t make it to Sydney.

Keep with cliftondiocese.com for regular WYD reports from our young pilgrims direct from Australia and Maria’s diary