Sydney Days 8, 9, 10

Sydney Day 8, 9, 10

Thursday, some of our group experienced adoration at the Sydney Opera House and met up with the rest of us at St. Benedict’s parish again. Archbishop Niederauer and Msgr. Harry have arrived and met us at St. Benedict’s parish for catechesis. After our lunch, we split into two groups: one group traveling with our guide, Ethel, to Barangaroo for our designated location to welcome Pope Benedict; the other group getting a spot on the traveling “pope mobile” route. After welcoming the Pope, the Sacramento, San Francisco and a few pilgrims from Reno went to dinner with Archbishop Niederauer and Bishop Soto (from Sacramento) in The Rocks in downtown Sydney. We taste kangaroo and crocodile skewers. Delicious!

Friday, we again attended St. Benedict Parish and then went to Barangaroo for Stations of the Cross. A few of us went for a tour of the Sydney Opera House. When our tour was over, the Stations were at the Opera House and we witnessed Jesus’ crowning of the thorns and moving on the water to Barangaroo. We followed in a ferry and viewed the three crossed set up at Barangaroo against the colored cliffs and full moon. The stations of the cross were a very moving sight to behold. The vocations expo was held for the final night and had a lot of information on all vocations (single, married, religious and ordained).

Saturday saw us awaking early for morning prayer at 6am and leaving for our 7:00am appointment to walk across the Sydney Bridge. From the bridge, we walked to The Domain by St. Mary’s Cathedral, for the mass with all the United States’ pilgrims. Both bishops met us afterward for photos and blessings. We walked to Randwick racecourse after the mass and found spots on the grass for our overnight sleep out. Donna celebrated her birthday today and we had some cake and candles for her. We danced, played cards, traded with pilgrims. Many of us traded our yellow California/Nevada sweatshirts for the New Zealand “all black” sweatshirts. Our evening vigil with the pope was beautiful, including adoration and benediction.