Italian Visitors

On 20th January 2008 the congregation of Holy Trinity were pleased to welcome two visitors from Italy to our Sunday morning worship.  The visitors, Don Mario Florio from the Theological Institute in Ancona and Carla Pandolfi from Calpino, Urbino Diocese, and a member of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism, were visiting St Albans Diocese as part of a 22-strong delegation from our link parishes in Italy.

The visit, led by the Archbishop of Pesaro, Monsignor Piero Coccia was timed to coincide with the week of prayer for Christian Unity.  They arrived at Stansted Airport on Saturday, so the Bishop’s Stortford churches, including Holy Trinity, were well placed to offer them transport and hospitality on their arrival. 

As part of the service on Sunday, John asked our readers, Michael and Hazel, our Honorary Assistant Priest Marion, Don Mario and Carla to speak about their ecumenical walk and experiences of worship with diverse cultures and traditions.  Carla spoke in Italian, with Don Mario translating for those of us not able to follow.

At the end of the service our visitors were presented with framed pictures of our church in the snow to remember their visit (even though it hadn’t snowed).

 

Not to be left out, the children during Sunday school also discussed Italy and created a colourful work of art based on themes from that country.