A warm welcome in Sao Paulo!

Greetings! I can finally say that after a ten hour plane ride, nothing can beat the wondrous feeling that comes into ones mind when the plane finally (and of course safely) landed! It is very nice to say that Immaculate Conception Parish as well as St. Patrick Parish, St. Bernadette Parish and Star of the Sea Parish have arrived safely in Sao Paulo, Brazil!

Today was filled with many events! After a wait at the airport, we, West Coast Canadians left to go to a lovely parish known as Saoroque. There we were greeted with food, friendliness and DANCING! Smiling faces and encouragement were always sent our way even though we lacked much hand-eye coordination. Father Saju was great! He was the MVP of our dance group! 

We then took a bus through Guarulhos to our home stay parish - Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. Here we had the opportunity to shower (which made the whole group cheer in happiness after nineteen total hours of travelling). After some deee-li-cious Brazilian lunch (which included Brazilian style fried potatoes and corn beef in mash potato), we headed to the shopping strip. Purchases ranged from chocolate and candy to styling priest sunglasses to sim cards for phones. 

The day ended with a fantastic Brazilian Mass filled with complex harmonies and motions. To end with a bang, a big surprise was prepared by the parish for its pilgrims. Special lights were set up to provide a dancing mood for the crowd. Spectacular laser beams and colour images were brought to life. Dinner followed after with delicious Brazilian soups and your choice of tasty toppings! Thank you to the host families and the parish for such a warm welcome! 

Signing off Stephanie Nguyen and the IC Delta Pilgrims. 

P.S I would like to give a shout out to Youth Day presenter, Pavel, who we saw at the YVR airport yesterday. May he have a safe trip!