Wednesday 23 April 2008

Students follow Cross & Icon from Sunrise to Sunset

Todays events began with another magical morning with the Cross & Icon.








About 100 people, including students from MacKillop College, gathered on one side of the bridge that joins Phillip Island with San Remo. As we processed over the bridge towards San Remo, God smiled on us with a spectacular sunrise, creating a stunning reflection off the flat water below.








We then took part in a liturgy on the grounds in front of the Church before sharing breakfast as a community. Reflecting on the Cross in such beautiful surrounds this morning gave me a deeper sense of God’s limitless love and presence in my life. I think this feeling was shared by many this morning who appeared to be touched through the visit of the Cross & Icon.








Next stop was St Joseph’s Church Wonthaggi where parishioners and students gathered to pray with the Cross & Icon, before the journey moved on to St Peter’s Anglican Church in Leongatha. Here an ecumenical group gathered with students to meet the Cross & Icon, then processed through town and down to MacKillop College. We passed by a few schools on the way who joyfully greeted us as we walked by, and by the end many people had joined the procession!









Mary MacKillop College hosted a large mass which included students from other local schools, and then had an extended time for veneration in their chapel.









The final event of the day was at Foster, a small country town surrounded by incredibly beautiful landscape. Tonight’s event felt really ‘homely’. Locals came together in the Church, each bringing a plate for dinner in which we all shared after a short liturgy. As I attempted to eat my way through the many multicultural culinary delights on offer, I was reminded of how incredibly diverse our universal church is…and how hospitable!
The dinner was also a time of great sharing – particularly with students from MacKillop & Newhaven College. I was touched to hear how they had experienced and been changed by God’s presence as they journeyed with the Cross & Icon today. One student was particularly struck by the way different communities came together and expressed their faith and hope in Jesus. She was greatly strengthened by this.
All were excited about continuing their walk with God during the next 83 or so days leading up to WYD in Sydney.

Dan

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow i wish i was there, that would of been amazing though i am only young otherwise i would have asked my parents if i could see the cross and icon.

I hope you have a wonderful time along your awesome journey

Anonymous said...

The cross came to my school as well. That was a day I'll never forget. It had such a great spiritual meaning to it, I felt so warm inside, I can't really explain it.

Anonymous said...

i find wyd08 sydney is very inspiring. it will be a great event for christians and everyone should come and witness it

Anonymous said...

WYD08 IS THE BEST I LOVE IT

ONLY 77 DAYS TO GO I CANT WAIT

FROM GLEN

Anonymous said...

I LOVE WYD I LOVVVVVVVVVVE IT
I LIKE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

LOVE FROM GLEn

Anonymous said...

Rodney, That photo of the sunset is absolutely magnificent!
Keep firing team 2, you continue to do an amazing job as your spread the fire of the holy spirit throughout our great south land.
You and the Photographer from the first team should show a gallery at WYD, i think it would be well visited. :)

Anonymous said...

Realised your photo is from Sunrise! Even more spectacular

 
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