ACU National welcomes Cross, Icon and Message Stick to Melbourne
The Cross, Icon and Message Stick visited the University’s Melbourne campus on Friday 2nd May as part of it's journey around Australia.
Highlights of the event included performances by Gary Pinto, writer of the official Cross and Icon Journey song ‘Behold the Cross’ and co-writer with Guy Sebastian of the official World Youth Day song ‘Receive the Power’.
The event, held in the University’s newly refurbished Central Hall, was be opened by Professor Gabrielle McMullen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), who was both excited and honoured to welcome the Cross, Icon and Message Stick to the University’s Melbourne campus.
‘As a Catholic University with a major commitment to providing opportunities for Australian youth, we welcome World Youth Day 2008 as a chance for young people to develop their understanding of their faith and commitment. Hosting the Cross, Icon and Message Stick during its pilgrimage across the Archdiocese of Melbourne is a great honour. It provides an occasion for staff, students and the public to reflect on the significance of World Youth Day in the presence of the Cross and Icon as we prepare ourselves for this extraordinary event in Australian history,’ said Professor McMullen.
Speakers included Student Association President James Wood and student member of Senate Sarah Rose. James spoke at the event of his excitement about World Youth Day. ‘World Youth day will come with its challenges but also with great joys and reasons to celebrate. I cannot wait to share with over half a million young and like-minded people what we all have in common: our Christian faith’ said James.
Sarah Rose and James Wood with the World Youth Day Cross
