St Joseph's Nudgee College

July 5, 2007

The World Youth Day (WYD) cross and icon arrived at Sydney Airport on July 1, welcomed by hundreds of clergy and other representatives from Australia and New Zealand's Catholic and indigenous communities. It will arrive at Nudgee College on August 23.

Prime Minister John Howard, New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma and hundreds of Australian youth, clergy and laity welcomed the 3.8m cross and the 15kg icon, portraying Jesus and his mother Mary, which arrived from New Zealand aboard a Qantas aircraft.

These symbols will be accompanied by an Aboriginal message stick inviting indigenous Australians to become World Youth Day pilgrims.

The goal of the journey of the WYD cross and icon is to proclaim the news of God's love to young people and prepare them for World Youth Day in Sydney July 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI is expected to make his first visit to Australia.

It was Pope John Paul II who gave the cross to the youth of the world in 1984.

The WYD cross and icon have invited a wide variety of religious, cultural and civic events on its journey through countries around the world. Its 12-month pilgrimage to more than 400 communities across Australia has formally begun.

The cross and icon will be in Brisbane Archdiocese from Friday, 17 August until Wednesday, 29 August, 2007.

Regions of schools will gather together around the cross and participate in other events such as pilgrimage walks and prayer vigils. Events are designed to allow as many young people as possible to touch the WYD cross.

St Joseph's Nudgee College will host the event in the McKennairey Centre, inviting nearby schools St Rita's, St Patrick's, St Flannan's and leaders from Nudgee Junior from 11.15am until 12.15pm on August 23.

The Christian Brothers and Edmund Rice dignitaries will also attend.

A moving passion mime will be staged by both St Rita's and Nudgee students with an outstanding solo voice performance by a St Rita's pupil.