WYD Sydney Day 3

I have lots of new photos, but unfortunately I left my camera last night at a church across Sydney so today I'll have to retrieve it. Pat and Margaret started us off with a tremendous breakfast (I have a picture of that as well) and then we were off to catechesis with the bishop of Dublin, Ireland. Bishop Fields was very pleasant and Bishop Finn from Kansas City, MO also came by to say hi to his pilgrims and to concelebrate the Mass. Once again, the Mass was very interesting, with many remarkable deviations from what we are used to, but we were glad to start the day together. Lunch was canned tuna (ugh!) and after that we headed into the city for another perfect day. We saw the boat carrying the Pope into Sydney Harbour and then his popemobile came pretty close to our assigned section for the official welcome. Probably the most fun was just walking to the welcome through the streets of Sydney. All the business people of Sydney are coming out with their cameras because they just can't believe the vibrancy of all the pilgrims. We walked with a group from Angola that was really loud and who never stop singing and dancing and banging on the drums. What spirit! The Pope's welcome homily was good but honestly, the pilgrims are more interested in his hearing them rather than in their hearing him! They want to sing and dance and chant for him - to show their Spirit! It is really funny actually to watch the excitement die down once he starts talking, even though you know people are trying to listen. After the official welcome we began a torturous walk along Darling Harbour because they wouldn't let us enter the streets of downtown Sydney during rush hour. Eventually, we made it to St. Mary's Cathedral but the lines were too long again there, so we prayed the rosary and evening prayer and invited others to join us, then we headed to a 'street party' hosted by the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (both from NYC) and that was a blast! When we arrived there was a great Irish band from Washington DC playing, but the best part was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and praying with all the American pilgrims who are there. We met so many spirit filled and faithful people during our two hours there - maybe the best part of the day!