Saturday
A rest day which I spent getting to know my Sydney relatives better. Time to reflect on what was going on at WYD and what I was taking away from it . . .
Sunday
Up early to the train and then picked up with my school friends to go to Wollahara, just near Randwick Race Course, for breakfast before the Papal Final mass.We decided against going to Randwick, as one of our team was not really up for the walk, and we wanted to stay together.WE joined a few thousand and watched the mass on a large screen, It was an intimate view and allowed us to join in regardless of our location.
And what a Mass it was. 400 000 gathered to worship Our Lord. Thousands of Bishops and Priests. The confirmations. The silence after communion. The smiles on the faces. The togetherness in diversity- of being the universal church in truth rather than just as a spoken ideal. Riches in Music, in word, in dance. An overpowering experience!
The announcement of Madrid was greeted very enthusiastically by the crowds. and by us too! Bring on 2011!
After being dropped in the city I shopped a bit more for family gifts and then returned home weary and exhausted from an amazing week - more enriching and rewarding than I could have imagined!
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