Image from the Domus Australia website
---
The rooftop of the new Domus Australia pilgrimage centre in Rome will be a great place to "throw another steak on the barbie", said Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd.
Mr Rudd visited the site of the centre a day before he attended Mary MacKillop's canonisation, said The Catholic Weekly.
The Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, also used the occasion to show the progress of the project to the other major stakeholders, Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, Archbishop Bede Hickey from Perth and Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore.
Other guests included clergy from Australia, including Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Mons Kerry Bayada, Mons Brian Rayner, Fr Peter Brack, Fr John Knight and Fr Mark Podesta.
The visitors were introduced to the architect of the project, Santiago Hernandez. His work has involved extensive renovation to the building which dates to the 19th century. Excavation has revealed ancients foundations which have been preserved.
Business manager of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Danny Casey, showed the guests detailed plans and explained how the centre will function before escorting the group on a tour of the building.
Mr Rudd said he was interested to hear that the site was previously owned by the Marist Fathers.
"I was educated by the Marist Brothers for two years at Ashgrove and the Marist Fathers were our spiritual directors ... so it's good to know that we have a strong Australian connection with them here," he said.
"Pilgrimages offer an enormous opportunity for reflection and it is good when going through these moments at day's end there is a place you can call home ... and this is why Domus Australia is such a good idea."
FULL STORY
Domus Australia – it's a Roman home away from home ... with a barbie (The Catholic Weekly)
PHOTO CREDIT
Image from the Domus Australia website