Cross sets young hearts on fire in Mudgee and Lithgow

The Cross & Icon had an exciting start to the day at St Matthew’s Central School in Mudgee. As well as a liturgy around the symbols, the creative school students greeted the Cross & Icon in a unique Mexican wave style.

At the next stop the Cross & Icon were met by a sea of maroon blazers by the students at La Salle Academy, Lithgow.

The students formed a guard of honour as the symbols were processed into a liturgy attended by hundreds of secondary and primary school students from Lithgow.

I was really struck by the reverence of the young children at the front of the assembly and by their enthusiasm and the way their eyes lit up when told that they would each get to come up and touch the Cross.

The next event for Lithgow was a mass and procession to the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park.

Again, I was amazed at the swarm of young bodies that crowded the Cross & Icon as we left the Church and the keenness of the many young people who helped in the procession to the park.

Fr Greg shared with us how powerful his experience of the Cross & Icon had been over the recent days and it was easy to see why.

The community spirit present at mass and in the picnic in the park afterwards was really something special and goes to show that while the Cross symbolises Christ, his presence is really felt in the coming together of a community. Thanks for a great day, Lithgow!

Berna :)