Yesterday Pope Benedict took up residence near Saint Marys in the city. Today, he will be at the Mary MacKillop centre in North Sydney, across the Harbour Bridge, then return again to travel by boat to a public welcome on the shores of Sydney Harbour - Super Thursday!



Shrine for Blessed Mary MacKillop at Corpus Chrisiti Church, Waratah. A rose is named after her!

Morning Prayers for World Youth Day Pilgrims and others at Corpus Christi Church, Waratah on the feast of Saint Benedict.
(Saint Benedict's Rule is considered a powerful force in building the civilization of Christian Europe. He would have been an abbot and his significant work related to monastic life - the Benedictines. He died in the sixth century.
Trivia: Benedictine liqueur was made famous by a monk. Is this an occasion for strawberries and cream laced with the liqueur!)

Update: I believe this is incorrect in that it was really the feast day of another different Saint Benedict.
Community service by the Pilgrims. This drab area will be improved by tree plantings made close to Warabrook Station (which serves the University of Newcastle in the distance on the other side of the rail line) Another sunny, chilly, windy day.

It would'nt be Newcastle without its coal trains and one is in the background. Newcastle has one of the largest coal ports there is and it is juxtaposed with greening activities.
The city council has equipment and seedlings and works with volunteer group who join in tree planting and greening the city.

Ceremonial Tapa Mat from the Pacific Islands gracing Corpus Christi Church for a special occasion. Several Communities from the Pacific make Newcastle their home.
The Tongan Catholic community of Newcastle and the Hunter have given generous donations to support Days in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

A local theme with Australian Flowers in stained glass.
From Corpus Christi Church, Waratah in Maitland-Newcastle Diocese.