Cathedral Parish
The Cathedral Parish hosted 27 pilgrims from Alabama, USA, for a very lively week. As well as the usual “tourist things” they were always conscious of being on a pilgrimage. Some spent time at Bethlehem House (men’s shelter) and went to the streets with Loui’s Van. Others helped at a centre for disabled adults. They also had Mass and/or reflection each day and joined RE classes at several schools. Sacred Heart students guided the Alabamans on a tour of Hobart while Guilford Young College generously provided a base for the pilgrims. Highlights of a trip to Mt Field were the open air Mass, magnificent rainforest and Russell Falls, and playing Aussie Rules with a group of St Virgil’s boys. Four Tanzanian pilgrims joined us on this trip.
The Cartela cruise enabled the Alabamans to meet our Tasmanian pilgrims as well as Californians, Germans and Filipinos who were hosted by other parishes. At our Saturday Mass we had a farewell for our local pilgrims, then a communal meal and celebration. Amongst other things, the visitors had a tour of Parliament House, met Australian fauna at Bonorong Wildlife Park, stocked up on beanies and scarves at Salamanca Markets, and many went to Port Arthur on the weekend with their host families. One of them even endured a trip to the dentist! Many friendships sprang up between the visitors, other pilgrims, students from our colleges, host families and parishioners generally.