Libera, a popular English singing group, has been staying at America's Keswick this week preparing for its performance Sunday before Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium.

Tucked along Route 530, America's Keswick is spread over 600 acres, offering an idyllic setting with a lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, church, softball field and bookstore.

In a quirk of fate, the musical group discovered America's Keswick during an Internet search as it was looking for a place to practice during its East Coast tour.

The group, comprised of 20 boys ages 7 to 16, gave a concert for 125 volunteers at the Christian retreat Tuesday night, which was very warmly received, said Executive Director Bill Welty.

"The kids are very, very gifted, and they got a standing ovation at the end of the concert," Welty said. "It is kind of a neat connection that they found us here because our founder (William Raws) was from England and founded this ministry in 1897.

"For the boys, our facility gave them a place to unwind. They used the swimming pool, the activity center and rode their bikes around, and I'm sure it was very refreshing for them."

The group has enjoyed worldwide fame. Its albums have risen to the top of both mainstream and classical charts in many countries, and the recordings have rivaled the popularity of the Italian tenors Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti overseas.

Pope Benedict will be the third pope to celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium, following Pope Paul VI in 1965 and Pope John Paul II in 1979. The Yankees clubhouse, the visitor's clubhouse, the auxiliary clubhouse and the umpire's room will be used for dignitaries at the Mass.

Source:Asbury Park Press