Sunday 3 February 2008

Cross of hope heads towards Warialda & Moree

Today’s events began with a handover of the Cross & Icon from the young people of Barraba to a car load of cheerful young people from nearby Warialda. In Warialda a procession took place through town to several other churches, as well as stopping at the hospital and nursing home, where the young people took the Cross right up to the sick and elderly.

A highlight of the procession for me was chatting to some of the young people about what life’s like in Warialda and learning all about droving cattle and breaking and spelling horses!

The procession concluded with a service at the recreation grounds. A really special part of the service was the memorial to remember the one year anniversary of three local teenagers who died in a car accident this time last year. Members of each of the teenagers’ families read a reflection and released a bunch of colourful balloons into the sky.














I felt really privileged to share in this event with the community of Warialda, to get to know a bit about the young people who had died and to pray with their families in their time of grief. The Cross & Icon have brought healing to many places throughout the world and we hope that today the people present may have experienced this same sense of healing and peace through the presence of these powerful symbols in Warialda.


The Cross, Icon & Message Stick were then driven to Moree where they were warmly greeted by a large assembly and processed throughout the town. The prayers and celebrations continued into the night, with the people of Moree having their chance to witness the pyrotechnic prowess of Fr Holy Smoke in the fireworks display that ended the evening.

Thanks to the bright and friendly young people we met today. Your enthusiasm and energy was a real blessing on our team - we’ll be looking out for you in Sydney!

Berna :)

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