austraLasia #1905
(Have to thank a keen observer from Johannesburg South Africa, for this one! Oh well, same hemisphere, I guess).
(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
MELBOURNE: 16th July 2007 -- One of Latin America's leading advocates of social justice and a strong supporter of World Youth Day, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez of Honduras, visited Australia in April (but read on...he's been back since!)
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.
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.
Yet amongst this somewhat despairing situation, the Cardinal spoke of hope: a hope that is alive in the living Church, the Gospel stories and the young. He inspired those present with the confidence that everyone has the ability to make a difference - beginning with their own lives by being witnesses to the Gospel message.
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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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org
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.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org
