There are many links between Meath Diocese and Bathurst. The first priest buried in Bathurst, Fr. Luke Hand, from Oldcastle, was a brother of Fr. John Hand who founded All Hallows College, Dublin. All Hallows went on to send over 1000 priests as missionaries to Australia. The third Bishop of Bathurst was Bishop O’ Farrell from Rathcondrath, Co. Westmeath. Some of the priests had the opportunity of praying at his tomb in the Cathedral. The parishioners hosted barbeques, meals and many activities for the young people from several diocese, including a concert of music and dance from the different countries hosted in Bathurst. The liturgies in the Cathedral were beautiful. Many of the Meath pilgrims assisted with the music, readings and prayers. Bishop Smith presented a beautiful Mullingar pewter chalice to Bishop Dougherty as a token of gratitude and a reminder of the great links between our dioceses. Then the young people went to Sydney where they were accommodated at a Marist College in Randwick very close to the Racecourse where the concluding Papal Mass was celebrated. Among the highlights were the Opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Pell of Sydney followed by a concert and fireworks over Sydney Harbour, catechesis led by Bishop Frank Caggiano, visits to Bondi and Manly Beach and a most beautiful and moving Stations of the Cross which moved around all the different sites of the city. The vigil on Saturday night and Papal Mass on Sunday morning at which Pope Benedict confirmed 24 young adults from around the world was the climax. The pilgrims concluded with several days of rest in Cairns in Queensland where they visited the Great Barrier Reef and had the opportunity for white water rafting, sky diving and other adventure sports.