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Christchurch help New Caledonia Pilgrims

The Diocese of Christchurch is organising the journey of a group of ten pilgrims from two islands off the coast of New Caledonia, through the Pilgrim Partnership Scheme.

The aim is to enable young pilgrims from poorer Pacific nations to attend the World Youth Day happening in Sydney this July - likely to be their only chance to experience such an event.

Links were established between the Christchurch diocese and the community in New Caledonia through the presence of the religious communities of The Beatitudes and a mission trip by 11 Kiwis to New Caledonia in 2007. To consolidate this connection, a handful of Christchurch pilgrims will accompany them to Sydney, where they will meet up with their French-speaking catechesis group.

Not only will attending World Youth Day be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these young people, their journey to New Zealand and Australia will be one of few opportunities they will have to meet other young Catholics from different countries and cultures.

The New Caledonia pilgrims will be billeted with French-speaking hosts, attend a youth rally with a local youth group, take a trip to the snow, and be involved with the Masses of the local parishes in Christchurch.

Written By: Peter
Date Posted: 17/05/2008
Number of Views: 192

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