MORE than 40 Passionist pilgrims from the US and Jamaica attended a special mass at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island last Thursday.
Ending their pilgrimage to Australia for the World Youth Day event in Sydney, the young members of the Passionist community visited North Stradbroke Island in the steps of the Passionist Fathers who formed the first Catholic Mission to Australia’s Aborigines.
Island elder Aunty Rose Borey welcomed the pilgrims, her daughter Margaret Grenfell read a welcome message on behalf of island elder Aunty Joan Hendricks and Evelyn Parkin explained the place of Indigenous spirituality in the church.
Father Lee Havey CP, of New York, USA, led the mass, assisted by Father Paul Mercieca CP, of Papua New Guinea, and father Lucian Clark CP, of New Jersey, USA.
The day also marked the day of rememberance of 15 Passionist martyrs who were killed during the Spanish Civil War.
Pilgrim Tim Stokes, of Michigan, USA, said his time in Australia had been “wonderful”.
“Everyone is so friendly,” he said.
Redlands Tourism helped facilitate the pilgrims’ visit to the island.