Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden will welcome nearly 150 pilgrims from the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, led by their Bishop and the executive director of the Diocese of Gary’s Catholic Charities agency to Southern New Jersey Friday in anticipation of the Papal weekend in Philadelphia.
Bishop Donald J. Hying of the Catholic Diocese of Gary will celebrate Mass with the pilgrims at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 25 at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church, 3 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville, NJ, and then lead them in a period of theological reflection and discussion.
A welcome barbecue prepared by the staff of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall.
The pilgrims of all ages, from young children to college students to seniors, will have travelled in three tour buses nearly 770 miles to get to Philadelphia for the Papal events on Saturday and Sunday. The group includes a large Spanish-speaking population, representing the diversity of the Diocese of Gary. Bishop Hying is fluent in Spanish.
The pilgrimage, organized by the Diocese of Gary, Indiana and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, is meant to be a time of spiritual renewal for participants.
“Pilgrimages are deeply significant moments in Catholic spirituality,” said Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden. “We are honored to welcome the pilgrims from Gary in the spirit of fraternity that exists between Catholic Charities agencies around the country and among our fellow Catholics around the world, which will be amplified by the presence of the Holy Father in Philadelphia this weekend.”
The pilgrims from Gary will stay in Mount Holly for the duration of their pilgrimage, travelling to the Philadelphia events by bus.