(Have to thank a keen observer from Johannesburg South Africa, for this one! Oh well, same hemisphere, I guess).
The Cardinal rules the stage and rocks the saxophone
This charismatic man, who is fluent in eight languages, hit the ground running upon arrival in Sydney, attending the Caritas Youth Justice Gathering at Hunters Hill. He spoke of his life in Honduras and his ministry in a country that continues to struggle with its poor economic condition and crippling foreign debt. He also described the dangerous realities of life in a country subjected to political instability and corruption.
As a Salesian, and someone who has spent many years as a teacher, the Cardinal enjoyed spending time with the Sydney youth before leaving for Melbourne, where he visited and encouraged young people to become involved in Melbourne’s ‘Days In the Dioceses’ and the World Youth Day celebrations.
Cardinal Rodriguez's music skills came to the fore when he helped Aquinas College in Ringwood launch its World Youth Day initiative. He gave an impromptu saxophone duet with the school's music coordinator, which gained rapturous applause from the students!
The Cardinal also participated in the National Conference for Church Administrators while in Melbourne, addressing the gathering as one of the keynote speakers. The conference was completed with a closing Mass celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral, while the MCG’s Long Room was the venue for lunch where Cardinal Rodriguez again entertained the delegates with his saxophone.
Cardinal Rodriguez’s visit to Australia concluded with Mass and a public lecture at Newman College. He promised that he would return with some young people from his diocese for the ‘Days In the Dioceses’ celebrations in Melbourne next 10-14 July – no doubt with his saxophone in tow.
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