ASSISI

We began in the new town at San Angeles church where St Francis first had his church. The church today is quite large and it has been built over the original church from 12th century. Then off to where Francis wrote the rule and lived for his order like Angela also did. Once again the original church is intact and the larger one sits over it. Some amazing bronze statues are also there. Up the hill to Assisi and this place is amazing. San Francesco is 2 churches in one and holds the crypt of St Francis and above that is is the papal church built by the pope after Francis's death. Off to the Hermitage or place of contemplation to see where Francis prayed the grounds were beautiful. Back to St Damien's and the monastery of St Clare mass at San Chiara's and we came out to the most amazing sunset. The Francis and Angela link is that Angela was a Franciscan tertiary which is the lay movement that live by the rules of St Francis and some say this experience was instrumental for her as after that she wrote the rules for her own company and the Ursulines were born. Assisi is an amazing place, one of spirituality and peace. 

BRESCIA

It is believed Angela moved to Brescia to assist when asked to help the women rebuild their lives after a period of war. Here we visited the cathedral where she would have visited (the smaller round one with the new behind it). We also saw her tomb and church that is looked after by a lay group of women who are living out her initial company ideas today. We also saw the death mask and the painting of Ursula and her companions, Angela is thought to be in this painting. There was also time to explore the ancient Roman ruins from 1st to 3rd century BC. 

TREVISO 

On our way to Bresica we stopped at a smaller town called Treviso. Here in an old church that Napoleon took over and used as a store, were housed the final Life cycle of St Ursula. These were found in a collapsed church in the area that was going to be destroyed. They have been restored as far as they can the images were beautiful. Here are a couple.

DESENZANO

Wow what a beautiful part of the world this place is. The water a magnificent colour and the Dolomites visible in the back ground. This is the birth place of St Angela. A visit to the place she was born, a walk out to the light house that features in her writing, Seeing the statue of the pilgrim Angela in the main square and a visit to Le Grezze the farm house where she worked and lived with her brothers. Another amazing opportunity was seeing the relic of Angela in the Cathedral in her own side chapel and praying and singing there together. Above are some of the many photos one being the Ursuline sisters with us on this pilgrimage along with their sister who travelled all night from Poland to open Le Grezze for us. An amazing couple of days. 

FLORENCE

Florence a bustling place with lots of market stalls, cars, scooters and tourist. Here we visited the key art historical sites. These included the Ufizi Gallery and the Academia which is home to Michelangelo David.  We also visited the Duomo or cathedral and its Bapistry they were both amazing. A visit to the Ponte Vecchio to view the gold dealers, definitely not to buy and also a visit to San Marco a monastery housing the fresco works of Fra Angelico his work was amazing. The cloister here was beautiful. Having an amazing time off to Assisi.

Final photo as the group prepares to board the plane all agreeing they had a fantastic time.
Mrs Pawsey would like to send a huge thank you and congratulations to Mrs Aitchison & Ms Hill for their superb organisation of the trip.  Ms Hill skillfully navigated the group through the many platforms of many train stations, subways, tram stops, and organised their tickets - not an easy job with a complicated organisational structure!
Finally a huge thank you from the staff for their touring group.  A group of girls who were a credit to their parents, their school and themselves and never let the staff down.

Farewell to Host Sisters.

Final day in Hachinohe

Mrs Pawsey and Ms Hill catching up with Hachinohe student Hannah who visited St Ursula's College Toowoomba in August.

Mrs Pawsey and Ms Hill were taken on a canoeing and mountain adventure by their Japanese Hosts over the weekend!
Mrs Pawsey was looking forward to hearing the happy tales about the girls weekend when they met at school for their last morning before travelling back to Tokyo and onto the airport and home.  The staff have had a wonderful time with these outstanding young women.  Their co-operation, understanding and good work as a team have made everything much easier for the staff.

St Angela - in the foyer of the school

HACHINOHE
Second day at the school and although the girls arrived a little weary, they are all happy and looking forward to a varied schedule for the day.

Nikita and Sarah enjoy a game of basketball.

Nikita enjoys learning more about Japanese cooking from St Ursula's  Hachinohe students.  On the menu today - pancakes with a twist!

The girls enjoyed a music class practicing a song reflecting on the impact of the earthquake on the people and communities of Japan .  A very moving experience.

Ruby learns more about the fine art of calligraphy.

The girls then moved on to an introduction to the martial art of Kendo.

The Hachinohe teachers join the group for a final photo.  The girls now look forward to a weekend with host families.  For a few girls a morning at school - a new experience of Saturday school.

Principal Mr Satamura appeared happy with our gift of an indigenous painting for the school.