Sacred Coast & Country

Theme: Abundance of Blessings
Proposed Mass: Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy

• Anzac Day Dawn Service  – Optional visit for April 2023 departure
• Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy – Penrose Park 

Sutton Forest Overnight (BD)

Theme: Healing & Restoration
Proposed Mass: Jamberoo Abbey

• Visit Jamberoo Abbey (Mass with the Benedictine Sisters).
• Visit Berry. Maybe have a leisurely lunch or do a bit of shopping.
• Travel via Milton & Mollymook for an encounter with the local church community on the way to Batemans Bay.

Batemans Bay Overnight (BD)

Theme: Food for the Journey
Proposed Mass: Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church, Bateman’s Bay

• Visit Mogo Wildlife Park
• Explore the Eurobodalla Shire.
• Afternoon at leisure

Overnight Batemans Bay (BD)

Theme: Food for the Journey
Proposed Mass: TBA

• Stop by the historic town of Braidwood.
• Visit Clonakilla Winery (Murrumbateman) – It has been a remarkable journey for Clonakilla. When Irishman John Kirk planted the first vines in 1971 he had no idea that his vineyard would one day be celebrated as one of the best in the country. Meet his son Tim Kirk, a prominent Catholic and world celebrated Winemaker who will share the Clonakilla story with us and maybe sing us a song or two on one of his precious guitars!
• Continue onto Young for our two-night stay.

Young overnight (BD)

Theme: Peace & Reconciliation
Proposed Mass: St Clement’s Retreat Centre Chapel

The historic St Clement’s Retreat Centre is a mission of the Redemptorists, and has a rich and colourful history dating back to the 1830’s. Set in more than 300 hectares of rural land, the centre’s peaceful location is conducive to reflection and prayer. Spend a guided retreat day here, reflecting on the pilgrimage so far and allowing God’s presence to bless your life.

Young overnight (BLD)

Theme: Identity & Purpose
Proposed Mass: St Mary’s Catholic Church

• Visit the old gold rush town of Young and stop by for Mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church (1876).
• Visit the classic wool store in town or indulge at Poppa’s Fudge & Jam factory shop.
• Continue north to Cowra (Aboriginal for ‘eagle on the rocks’) where the largest prisoner breakout occurred during WWII of nearly 400 Japanese who were held captive in barbed-wire compounds along with Koreans, Chinese and Italians.
• While here we will visit the POW camp to pray for peace in our world.
• Visit the popular and scenic Japanese Gardens.
• Visit St Raphael’s Church (1939) once serviced by priests travelling on horseback from far and wide.

Bathurst Overnight. (BD)

Proposed Mass: St Joseph’s Heritage Retreat Centre Chapel, Perthville

• Tour Bathurst, home of the famous car race held every year in October.
• Visit the heritage listed and recently renovated Bathurst Cathedral of St Michael and St John.
• Visit Perthville and the St Joseph’s Convent visited on two occasions by Mary MacKillop and now housed within a beautiful Heritage Retreat Centre run by the Sisters of St Joseph.
• Travel to Katoomba via the beautiful Mayfield Gardens near Oberon, and the historic town of Hartley.

Katoomba Overnight (BLD)

Theme: Joyful Summits
Proposed Mass: St Canice’s Catholic Church

• Mass at St Canice’s Catholic Church, Katoomba
• Scenic Skyway & Echo point (The Three Sisters)
• Blackheath and Govetts Leap lookout
• Enjoy a High Tea lunch at the historic Hydro Majestic Hotel
• Remainder of the afternoon at leisure

Overnight Katoomba (BLD)

Theme: Empowered to Shine
Proposed Mass: Mt Schoenstatt Shrine, Mulgoa

• Explore Leura village
• Visit Mt Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa. Take the opportunity to visit, pray and walk the grounds of this beautiful national shrine to Our Lady, a spiritual oasis for people from all walks of life.
• Return travel to Sydney