This time last week the St Brigid’s Parish WYD contact was feeling nervous when there weren’t enough host families for pilgrims travelling to Dubbo from America, Germany, Venezuela and India.

“I was starting to get worried and asked ‘Please God, how can I find enough beds?’

“Then the Daily Liberal rang offering to run a story asking people to open their homes to the pilgrims. As soon as the story appeared the phones ran hot with offers to help.

“The response has been fantastic and WYD committee member Cathie McKenna is now busy matching pilgrims with host families.’’

Mrs Gilpin said the pilgrims - ranging from age 16 to adults and including a number of priests and religious workers - are due in Dubbo on Wednesday.

“They should arrive at St John’s College by 7.30pm and after a soup dinner will head off to host families,’’ she said.

“The next day two big red party buses will be transporting the pilgrims around Dubbo making stops at local tourist attractions, shopping centres, sporting facilities and Western Plains Cultural Centre.

“The pilgrims will spend Thursday evening with their host families and on Friday will take part in community service work - planting trees along the Mitchell Highway and cleaning up on the riverbank.

That night there will be a bush dance at St John’s College hall.

“On Saturday the pilgrims will spend time with their hosts then everyone will gather for a bonfire night on Mugga Hill.

“The pilgrims will gather for mass at St Brigid’s church on Sunday morning before departing for Bathurst.

They will be joined by Dubbo locals attending WYD celebrations.’’

Mrs Gilpin is looking forward to participating in the big event at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse from July 15 to 20.

WYD is the largest youth event in the world. It is expected to attract more than 125,000 international visitors.