Thank you tumas oloketa

Dear Pittwater Parish


On behalf of the 6 of us from the Diocese of Gizo, especially Rose, Cecilia,  Dennis, Joseph and Cletus, we would like to forward our biggest thanks to Pittwater Parish especially to Simon Hyland and his family and Michael and Christine Shanahan for nice accommodation, food and the medications for our health.  Their nursing was like a really Mother to us (Better than public Doc's  here).  Also to Adam Ahern and other members of the Soul Group who provided us  support and liaison. Adam who was absent during the farewell night he was sick but after he managed to got up and said goodbye to us.

Not forgetting Father Rex Curry, the Parish Priest of Pittwater plus the Parish Council who were most supportive of the project and Bishop Bernard
O'Grady who helped make us welcome. Big Wan tumas long- The "Fund Raising  Committee" Susan Berg the Chair of the Parish Council, Simon, Adam, David and Penny Kerr who organized the fundraising for us.

During arrival and when departing we were treated equally and we really feel  like at home. Your help will never forgotten. We have much to tell to our
parents, Friends, School Mates and Youths.

Lastly thanks for the Gifts from Pittwater and they will be our souvenir from Australia.

God bless you

Thank you

On behalf of Solomon 6

John Sotiava

The Pittwater Pilgrims Return

On Tuesday, the six joined with 17 pilgrims from Tennessee in the United States for a cruise on Pittwater. They went onshore for lunch at the Basin, a popular picnic spot, where they were greeted by kangaroos and native birds, quite tame because they are so used to people.

Tuesday night saw the final farewell, an Italian Night in the Parish. See the photos- click here. About 200 people enjoyed great food, good company and even some dancing, though this was limited by the crowded quarters.

WYD08 Update

By Penny Kerr with updates

from David Kerr

Overall

The photos here are from the truly wonderful Stations of the Cross held in three locations on Friday.

The biggest group of Solomon Islanders is located at Oak Hill, to the West of Sydney. It is quite cold out there but people have been provided with warm clothing. Unfortunately, lots of youth caught flu and about 50 people were kept isolated there so it would not spread to everyone. This was unfortunate because they missed activities. However, the good news now is that they are all much better.

The group sponsored by the Dominican Sisters is staying a little closer to the city and things are going well. They have been amazed by the huge shops, vast crowds of people (sometimes as many pilgrims as the total population of the Solomon Islands! Sr Teresa has been heard to say "FEARFUL" several times!

Solomon 6 to Pittwater for WYD08

We know the parents are wondering about how the youth are going here in Australia. They are spread all over Sydney and most of them will probably not meet other groups unless they happen to see each other at the big Papal Mass or some other event. There could be as many as 500,000 at the Papal Mass. This is the same as the population of the whole Solomon Islands, all in one place!

We can tell you about the six pilgrims sponsored by Pittwater Parish on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Preparation for WYD08

About 50 youths from our diocese gathered here in Gizo for world youth day preparation. The preparation was facilitated by Fr. Gerome Pelagio and was programmed by Joseph Lalaubatu, Br.Johnson and Sister Teresa. The program is for Spiritual preparation, it is a recollection activity mainly to discover their relationship between or within themselves.

Youths are selected from, Gizo, Noro, Kavata, Moli, Nila. And Wagina and Canaan who are expected to join the Group at Honiara. The youths left Gizo on Monday, the 30th June.