With thousands of interstate and overseas WYD pilgrims currently staying at the RAS Showgrounds at Homebush, the site has been transformed into a temporary suburb, known as 'Pilgrim Park'.

Since late last week, thousands of pilgrims have been arriving at Homebush and will base themselves on the site for a week or more. On some days, as many as 12,000 pilgrims will be residents of 'Pilgrim Park'.

A team from the Catholic Education Office (CEO), Sydney, led by Paul Smith, Troy Moran, Charlotte Succar, Nancy Albatti and Paul Gibson, is co-ordinating the management of this huge undertaking. Many more CEO staff members have been on hand to provide the pilgrims with the support they need to ensure their WYD week goes without a hitch.

Paul Smith, one of the Accommodation Managers on the site, says that, while there have been challenges along the way; the commitment of the staff has been phenomenal.

"It is inspiring to be part of this huge project. The commitment of the team out here has been extraordinary."

Br Kelvin Canavan, Executive Director of Schools for the CEO, Sydney, says that he immensely proud of the work being done by the team. "This is a very significant and complex operation being handled with great skill by our staff. It is yet another example of the spirit of WYD alive and active everywhere."

The first few days following the Papal Mass at Randwick are expected to be the busiest, with numbers progressively dropping as the week continues.

Come the end of next week, the large halls of the RAS, currently sheltering thousands of WYD visitors, will be quiet again, with the joyful sounds of singing and music replaced by weekend echoes of cheering football crowds and ticket spruikers.

The pilgrims will be gone - but the memory of this extraordinary time in the history of the Catholic Church in Australia will not be easily forgotten.