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.

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!

Returning to North Sydney to the Mary MacKillop Place Museum we see a carefree number from a trio, members of the first Religious Order, founded by an Australian, in early colonial times: the Sisters of Saint Joseph. (We are seeing Statues here)