Year eight St John's students met us excitedly on our arrival, ready to take possesion of their gifts from the Pope. Eagerly they helped unpack and put in the final bolts to form the cross. As they patiently waited for the liturgy to be organised, the young men and women sat with the Cross and Icon of Our Lady between them, explaining to each other aspects to do with these gifts that they found important. The drama students danced around the Cross, to a song from the musical ‘God Spell’ as the large symbols were processed in by the entire grade of year 12’s. Creating a celebratory entrance, the performers wore brightly colored masks, vests and skirts, reminiscent of fashion from the eighties. 
At O’Loughlin College, the Cross and Icon of Our Lady were walked amongst the students and brought to within two rows of each student in their place, as the school band played Great Southern Land. Here we were also joined by surrounding Catholic primary schools, to share this unique occasion as a bigger community. Special mention must also be given to the team of young people from around 
Darwin that have taken time off from work and other schools to help each event on the Darwin itinerary run as they have envisiged.
Darwin that have taken time off from work and other schools to help each event on the Darwin itinerary run as they have envisiged.As today is the feast of St Vincent De Paul, it was very appropriate that the first Eucharist for Darwin’s hosting would be held outdoors at one of his society’s centres. Members of young St Vinnies, who comprise mainly of year nine to twelves from St John’s College brought these items of our faith to their starting place in the liturgy. These young students have been working for the last year to fundraise and create awareness of St Vinnies. Recently they held a very successful can sculpture competition which doubled as a way of collecting non-perishable foods to be shared with those in need.
During the liturgy, the Cross and Icon of Our Lady were taken to ‘the workshop’ outside the accommodation facilities. This enabled the congregation to stand present in support appreciation at these places where a true working of Christ is undertaken. St Vincent De Paul centre’s form a strong and important part of our society caring for those that everyone else may have put in the ‘too hard basket’. Often, these centres may be one of the only places where someone struggling with the harshness of life, with addictions, or with long-term illnesses can really see the actions of Christ’s love, and feel the effect of these actions being performed.
Jacs :)
1 comment:
Hi Jacs, I was there at the St Vincent de Paul Society Feast Day mass. It was very special for us to be able to take the WYD Cross and Icon around our works. We, the young volunteers of the Society, prayed for all of the works of the Society throughout the territory, those we assist and those that volunteer and work for the Society, in which there are so many. It was amazing, because normally we have about 50 people come to the Feast Day mass every year (its a small community in Darwin!) But this year we counted about 200 people!! And there were so many of the younger volunteers from the schools and the many young adults that volunteer with Vinnies. It was great for the young and older volunteers of Vinnies to be carrying the cross and icon together and celebrating the faith that binds us all as one.
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