Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield was the first school in Australia to welcome the World Youth Day Cross last Monday ahead of its week-long pilgrimage throughout Sydney's Catholic schools and parishes to mark the beginning of its 12-month journey across Australia and countdown to the biggest youth gathering in Sydney next year.

School Principal Wayne Marshall said it was a moving experience for the students and local parishioners to have the opportunity to touch the Cross and feel its power and all it stands for.

"It really strengthens our beliefs and challenges us to bear witness to our faith," he said.

 "It's been two years since I last saw the Cross and Icon of Our Lady after attending the 2005 World Youth Day gathering in Cologne in Germany, and the genuine effect it has is very uplifting."

The familiar Catholic icons made their way through the College grounds with Stations of the Cross, attracting hundreds of those gathered to spend time in reverence, reflection and prayer before the simple 3.8m wooden Cross that has travelled the globe since 1984.

Later it was escorted by students from the Western Sydney Deanery to the Bonnyrigg mosque to be welcomed by Muslim clerics and followers.

Father Michael Smith, parish priest of Bossley Park, and one of two dozen people who escorted the Cross, thanked the mixed Catholic and Islamic congregation for welcoming the icons which he said were symbols of peace, hope and reconciliation for all.

Mosque president Alf Coruhlu said he was delighted to welcome it to the Islamic place of worship in south western Sydney.

During the brief service, the Imam chanted a verse from the Koran and Fr Michael read a passage from the Bible, expressing a common theme that the similarities between the faiths far outweighed the differences.

Earlier that morning, during a live telecast on Channel 9's Today program from Sacred Heart Parish, Cabramatta, Fr Chris Ryan, Head of the Journey team of the Cross and Icon said that there would be "great moments of interfaith dialogue happening throughout the journey."

"There is a chance here with our symbol of faith to unite with people of other faiths to talk about the things we all have in common, and one of those things for young people is a desire for a peaceful world; for a place where reconciliation and unity take place," he said.

Yesterday, it was Bankstown's St Brendan's Primary school's turn to host the icons.

At midday, a group of students, teachers, parents and parishioners carried the Cross and Icon in a procession through Bankstown's streets.

The parade ended at St Felix's some kilometres away, followed by a picnic lunch in the church grounds.

The Cross began its Australian journey at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour on 1 July, where more than 6,000 people gathered, including 3,000 Catholic secondary school students, to celebrate its official handover from the New Zealand delegation.

At the handover, Marijana Ticinovic, the Pastoral Preparation Officer WYD Sydney 2008, says she was one of the many to be moved by its presence and power.

"I didn't expect to start crying," she said. "The tears just kept flowing and I was surprised at the emotion I felt. The New Zealand delegation had such a love for the Cross that you could see it on their faces. Their gratitude for the encounter with the Cross really overwhelmed me."

This week the Cross will continue to travel through the Sydney Deaneries of Concord, Ryde, Ashfield-Canterbury, St George and the Eastern suburbs until Sunday 8 July, after which it will be handed over to the Diocese of Broken Bay at Manly.

For Further Information
Bernadette Zebec, Catholic Education Office, Leichhardt Tel: 9568 8223