Waiuku hosts Texans

Franklin County News

WELCOME: Father Nettilaus Sinharajan, back left, welcomes the group from San Andreas, Texas who stopped off in Waiuku on their way to Sydney to see the Pope at World Youth Day next week.

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Twenty Texan Catholic pilgrims were welcomed at Waiuku's St Anthony's Church on Monday as they visited the area on the way to World Youth Day in Sydney.

The group was given a tour of the district and stayed with host families before flying out today in time to see the Pope, who is attending World Youth Day next week.

Nine Waiuku members of the St Anthony Church parish fly out tomorrow to join the expected 125,000 international pilgrims in Sydney for the big event.

The parish's Father Nettilaus Sinharajan, who is also attending, says he is grateful the event is so close to home so more New Zealanders have an opportunity to see the Pope.

Joseph Resendez, 19, from San Andreas says he was excited to be in New Zealand.

Leaving summer temperatures in the US, Joseph says it is "very different here", noting the green surroundings.

Annette Egbers organised the group along with church members in San Andreas and says the visit was a rare and positive occasion.

"It's an awesome experience, especially for the parish and for the youth."

This was the first time St Anthony's parish has hosted international pilgrims.

In total, 1000 pilgrims from San Andreas arrived in New Zealand on Monday and stayed throughout the country.

Visiting bishop Oscar Cantu thanked the church and noted that both groups came from places which shared the name Saint Anthony, the patron saint of things lost.

He told the church how appropriate this was in their search for the Holy Father.

"We hope to find the Holy Father, not that he is lost, but we hope to encounter him," he said.

Homestay host Casey Robertson says the visit is a good chance for her family to learn about different cultures and people.

Dominika White is an AUT journalism student

- © Fairfax NZ News