Days in the Diocese Reflection – Christ Church
As I start to write this, we are all on a plane headed to Sydney and all the excitement of World Youth Day is in the air. But there is also a bit of sadness in my heart having just left beautiful New Zealand. Our ‘Days in the Diocese’ were amazing. The parishes in Christ Church and all our host families were so incredibly kind. They invited us into their homes and treated us like family. The hospitality we received was wonderful.
We were able to get a lot done in our short four day s there. We fed baby lambs at a local sheep farm and saw penguins at the Antarctic Center. We visited a Maori Cultural Center where we learned traditional songs and chants. We ate (really, really good) fish and chips and got to spend some time giving back by visiting local retirement homes to visit some of the seniors of Christ Church. And yesterday, one of the hosting parishes gave us a wonderful send-off. They served us a delicious lunch and had some of their children perform for us. We really got to know the people and the true Spirit of New Zealand.
It was hard to say our goodbyes this morning, but I think all of us have special memories we shared with our Kiwi families that we will forever treasure.
~ Teresita Santiago
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