Our first stop was St Peter’s and the surrounding schools in Tuggerah. Many of the students shared how they were getting excited about WYD. They all participated in a liturgy and had an opportunity to venerate the Cross and Icon.
Next up was Wyong High School. It was so wonderful to be able to take our specials symbols into this school. The students who came participated because they wanted to be a part of such a special event, not because of any obligation. There was a real sense of inclusion and unity.
We took the Cross and Icon to Wadalba Community school. Again we had an opportunity to specifically include the youth in our government schools. We had a special liturgy where we considered how Jesus fits in to our lives and what he is calling us to.
The next event was at MacKillop
Catholic College in Warnervale with some other local students present as well. We processed the Cross, Icon and Message stick in, lead by 4 horses. This liturgy focused on the great work of Mary MacKillop, one of World Youth Day’s patrons. 
The Cross and Icon went to the Edmund Rice Centre in East Gosford. The school had a large gathering and I was really touched by the testimonies of a few of the students who talked about their faith stories. Pretty brave in front of their whole year school! One Student spoke of all the great things he was doing to live a Christian life and how his motivation for this was “to be like Jesus”. So simple, yet what we are all called to strive for.
The Cross continued on to St John the Baptist Church however our day ended here – so if you were at that event and want to add some comments – please do!
Annaliese Wursthorn.
Annaliese Wursthorn.
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