Clydesdales Lead The Way Through Ballarat

Friday began outside the Eureka centre at Ballarat (Photo:- Top Left). It was a significant place for the Cross to stand, remembering the site of the first tent church during the Goldrush, and also those who first came to Ballarat in search of finding that ultimate wealth.

The Cross and Icon of Our Lady were then drawn to McKenzie reserve in a cart by two beautiful large Clydesdales. A second horse-drawn cart followed with around 20 students from Damascus, Loreto and St Pat’s Colleges who would accompany these large symbols for the entire day.

At McKenzie Reserve, and later at City Oval, students from the Catholic primary schools participated in a liturgy, which included a combined schools choir singing ‘Receive the Power’ and Andrew Chin leading all the students in many worship style songs. Andrew played "the wood of the cross", as students at both events had the cross surfed over their heads so they could touch that precious wood. Our Cross and Icon Crew from the three high schools helped add to the excitement and celebration during these liturgy’s through energetic dancing and singing setting an example of fun.

City Oval was then home for a final schools liturgy, which involved the secondary colleges; Damascus College, Loreto College, and St Pat’s College. The sea of almost 3000 first passed the Cross around the oval, before each school presented a drama based on a ‘station of the cross’. These stations held strong meaning, especially as all the students had felt the weight and strength of the same cross they witnessed in the drama’s.

The message stick was presented to a family with three generations of women present, who then gave the welcome to country and spoke of the message and invitation to take up of that message and fully participate within the church as called for by Pope John Paul 2.

A lot of behind the scenes work was done today by the students of the secondary colleges, and they created and ran their event seamlessly. Students acted as marshals, captured footage of the entire day with video and photography, accompanied the Cross, Icon of Our Lady and Message Stick, presented dramatic stations, sung as a well rehearsed choir, and shared in the readings throughout the day. Thankyou to each of you for your participation and ability to show Christ’s love through your actions of being involved to make this day happen. From the first welcome and hello received first thing in the morning, your enthusiasm shone through the entire day; a true example of ‘youth for youth’ ministry, caring for each other in Christ, as you know how.

Jacs :)