Croatian youth in Australia to gather for 10th CroCatholic Retrea​t

(CroCatholic Retreat)

Croatian youth from around the world will come together Australia to celebrate faith, friendships and the rich Croatian culture for the 10th annual CroCatholic Retreat. 

The 10th Annual CroCatholic Retreat will take place from 22nd – 24th of March 2019 in Sydney, Australia. 

“It’s for 18-35-year-olds who have an interest in faith, friendship and enjoying the great Croatian culture we have. This event attracts attention from the Croatian diaspora internationally. Being our 10th one this will be extra special and we anticipate many young adults from around Australia and the world will attend. It is great to keep this Croatian community of ours together and learn more about our faith,” Antonia Lisica says. 

The event is aimed at bringing the wider Croatian community together and learning more about faith.

CroCatholic Retreat

“Whether you speak fluent Croatian or know little to none, this retreat has both Croatian and English masses and activities so it is great for all of our youth to get together and engage with our faith,” Antonia adds.

Special guest this year will be Croatian Franciscan fra Matej Jovanovac from Israel. 

Spaces are limited. More details on the poster below or on the official Facebook page here. 

10th CroCatholic Retreat

The Croatian Catholic community in Sydney has been making an impact on the diaspora 

This weekend the 50th Anniversary celebration for St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Summer Hill where the Archbishop of Sydney attended. 

“This was a big event because when the Croatians first came to settle in Sydney this was our rock. This church was the foundation of the faith, community and friendships that would unfold ahead.

(Photo credit: Giovanni Portelli)

“I had the great pleasure of celebrating a Mass to mark the 50th anniversary of St Anthony of Padua Croatian Church in Summer Hill. The parish is a great credit to the hard work of the Franciscan Fathers and members of the local Croatian community who have drawn upon the inspiration of the great preacher St Anthony to establish thriving youth groups. This pioneering church laid the foundation for other Croatian parishes across Sydney, in Blacktown and St John’s Park. It was wonderful to meet all the committed members of the Croatian Catholic community at this very special celebration,” said Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP (Photo credit: Giovanni Portelli)

A Theology of the Body course for teens also took place with over 30 youngsters meeting on Sunday evening with overwhelming feedback from those who took part.

“The Croatian Catholic community has been trying to get the youth more involved, try to give them a deeper understanding of the beauty of the faith, so they have an interest in coming along to church, and that’s exactly what’s happened here.

We want to help create that spiritual independence, so they are here not because their parents wanted them to come but because they have a desire to.

A lot of them have had light bulb moments through this course, especially on the issue of contraception and said ‘I can finally understand why the Church has that point of view that it does,” Youth group facilitator Sarah Šimić, 24, told Catholic Weekly.