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The MacKillop Cross
Friday, 13 August 2010 |
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RUSHWORTH
Fr. Owen Doyle and a Church full of children greeted the pilgrimage. The children escorted the Cross into the church. The Liturgy that the School had prepared was terrific - a credit to the teachers!
The children sang with great joy with their voices filling the church with sound. I must say at every Church or School the teachers and the Liturgy Teams had prepared a wonderful Liturgy for Blessed Mary MacKillop.
In the congregation were Josephite Associates and a Josephite Nun.
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BENDIGO CATHEDERAL
Once again, the children from the surrounding Colleges and Schools filled the Cathedral.
Bishop Joe Grech welcomed us with a warm handshake, monster smile and a big "thank you" to the Knights. The Liturgy for the Receiving of the Cross was conducted with the professionalism one comes to expect from our Bendigo Brothers
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EAGLEHAWK
After the conclusion at the Cathedral, the Cross proceeded to Eaglehawk to the Church of St Liborius. The children from the Primary school had formed a Guard of Honour from the gate to the door of the Church where Fr. Joven Lustre was waiting to welcome the Cross. Spontaneous applause started, it was the children clapping as the Cross made its way up to the Church door.
There was time to spare until the evening liturgy at 7pm, so the Cross was taken to the Sisters of Saint Clare (The Poor Clares, a cloistered Order of nuns) who had expressed a desire to see the Cross. Their viewing was simple and at the same time lovely. They had prepared an area in the yard with a picture of Blessed Mary MacKillop surrounded by fresh wattle. These six nuns from Sri Lanka in their brown habits tied with a white cord made a delightful sight. I did not wish to intrude on their reverence so I was unable to take a photo. I felt sure that Blessed Mary thought it was nice as well, that these nuns, far from their homeland wanted to pay their tribute and respects to Mary of the Cross.
The evening Liturgy was well attended by the parishioners of St. Liborius as well as the Anglican Minister and visitors. After the Cross entered the church, the Liturgy was conducted by Fr. Peter John (as Fr. Joven was ill).
At the conclusion of the Liturgy the parish's hospitality was extended by way of a delightful supper.
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