Pilgrims stay on Peninsula

Members of St John the Baptist Woy Woy parish opened their homes to more than 100 international pilgrims during World Youth Day celebrations last month.

Parish priest Father John Hill said pilgrims from as far as Peru, Brazil, Croatia and Bosnia stayed with members of the parish community and in the parish hall.

"Members of the Woy Woy parish had the opportunity to meet and host Catholics from all around the world, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Fr Hill said.

"They had a fantastic time showing the pilgrims around the Peninsula and what their day-to-day lives entail."

Fr Hill said more than 20 members of the parish youth group travelled to Sydney to attend World Youth Day celebrations.

"I think one of the greatest highlights for them would have been seeing Pope Benedict XVI," Fr Hill said.

"World Youth Day is such an important event for young Catholics because it gives them support and shows they are not alone in their belief of God.

"Sometimes youth find it hard to stand up for their beliefs, because others think God is not cool or popular.

"World Youth Day and the attendance of hundreds of thousands of people only proves that God is in fact popular."

Clare Graham, 31 Jul 2008 Interview: Father John Hill, St John the Baptist Church, Woy Woy