Pilgrims flying the WYD flag

Wollongong was invigorated with a holiday-like feeling recently, as Catholic pilgrims from around the world poured into the city for World Youth Day.

The pilgrims are currently in Sydney enjoying the World Youth Day celebrations there, but made a big impression on the local community during their short stay in the Illawarra last week.

Thousands of the pilgrims, from as far away as Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Scotland stayed in the homes of Illawarra residents last week, and according to one of their local hosts their enthusiasm for Australia, Wollongong and their faith was infectious.

St John Vianney’s parish in Fairy Meadow played host to about 30 Syrians from Thursday last week until they left for Sydney on Monday.

Homestay co-ordinator for the parish and Fairy Meadow resident Dianne Hukins spoke to the Wollongong and Northern Leader from Wollongong’s Flagstaff Hill just hours after the group arrived, but said she was already caught up in the fun and excitement of the WYD festival.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” she said.

“They just feel like part of the family already.

“All they want to do is meet the other people, just to hear about their lives in other countries.

“It’s a wonderful journey of faith, that’s what it is.”

Leader of the Syrian group, Father Joseph Bazouzou, said his ensemble of pilgrims were most struck by the region’s natural beauty.

“In Syria we just have a little place like this but the majority of places are just desert,” he said.

Ms Hukins said the Syrian pilgrims kept commenting on how green everything was.

Tourism Minister and Member for Kiama Matt Brown and local Catholic clergy, including Wollongong’s Bishop Peter Ingham, met at Flagstaff Hill last Thursday to officially welcome the pilgrims to the region.