Above: Telstra was producing photos and videos for pilgrims in Hyde Park and net service.
Not only our own piety but social justice for God's kingdom on earth in the here and now.
Messages left at an NGO Aid and development work for all countries information exhibit at Circular Quay

'The Coathanger' (Sydney Harbour Bridge) this morning was the start of the Pilgrimage to the Southern Cross destination for the next stage and World Youth Day with major events to finish the week. The distance is about 7 kilometres or so and the weather is perfect. Everyone carried all their belongings. The transport and trains services and the organization of the crowds was safe and excellent.
The photos were taken from a train and the glass windows were not clear enough to take photos well and then some better images could not be rotated and published.

Click the archives to see previous days photos.

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!

The Cunard line presented us with their stunts on Sydney Harbour but that cannot compare with the arrival of Pope Benedict, by boat, on Thursday 17 July, for World Youth Day! The harbour has seen legendary events and this should be another memorable occasion.
A walk over Sydney Harbour bridge is planned for Pilgrims on Saturday, 19th July, from the north. The photo shows the northern side opposite Circular Quay.
Apart from that, the bridge can be crossed in several ways, by the usual car or train or by walking but the most spectacular way is the bridge climb up to the very top of the arch.
Meet a happy Captain Cook look-alike promoting Captain Cook Cruises which will take you from Circular Quay to the best points to join the scene on Sydney Harbour . (Cook discovered this land.)
The regular ferry services, to many parts of the harbour, will offer some views. The ferry to Manly takes half and hour or more to reach the northern end of the harbour passing waterfront suburbs, bays and headlands and the entrance to the harbour at which point it can be a roller coaster ride in rough seas.

Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay.

Signs and wonders!
Just for World Youth Day some city streets will be the domain of people not cars. The planned walk over the Sydney Harbour bridge and through the streets means that the city will be shared with young visitors in strength. Woe betide the motorists!
The yellow sign: Pitt street Closed. 2am to 5pm Saturday 19 July. World Youth Day 2008!

Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, North Sydney.
World Youth Day folk can don their joggers on Saturday, 19th July, and begin a walk near this point and then take on the Sydney Harbour Bridge with vistas over the harbour and hike through the city to the Southern Cross precinct. The traffic will be stopped to make way.
Blessed Mary MacKillop followed her dreams in a big way and formed the first religious order founded by an Australian, the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Australia was first settled over 200 years ago as a British colony and Christians are relatively new to this ancient land. We relate to the saints of the church in far off lands.
Now there is hope that the holiness of an Australian, Mary MacKillop will be acknowledged by the universal Church.
Like Mary we can respond to the big challenges in our own societies, rich and poor alike. The Josephite sisters largly work in education and welfare. Mary MacKillop struggled with 'the establishment' and with church politics to achieve change.
We are all called to be saints!

School boys in straw boater hats, suits and ties mean we could be in the North Shore.
Over the Sydney Harbour Bridge (or the tunnel) and a short distance brings you to the Mary MacKillop Centre in North Sydney.
(Those blue buses can be used to take you anywhere in Sydney.)

The underground in central Sydney is fast and handy and Town Hall stop has a number of levels making it a bit tricky for the visitor to find their way but public transport is recommended. Access is improved on most stations by escalators and lifts.

Above us is a famous bridge and one you can walk over (car free) during World Youth Day 2008.
Sydney Harbour will be much busier than this when the Pope arrives at east Darling Harbour by boat. This is from a road that links the city side with Darling Harbour by way of a longer drive or walk under the bridge.

Darling Harbour, Sydney, where, for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict will arrive, by boat, on Thursday 17 July 2008. A colourful boat-a-cade will accompany the Pope who will step ashore at Barangaroo just around the corner from Sydney Harbour Bridge.