We've been fortunate enough to walk with the cross and the icon around some of the most beautiful places in Melbourne and this morning we've taken the cross from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, over to Port Philip Bay where unfortunately it's going to board the "Spirit of Tasmania" and head across to Hobart so it's the last chance to see the cross in Melbourne this morning. Why don't you join us for a walk for another Days in the Diocese .
Now the significance of the cross actually heading over to Hobart , there are a bit of mixed emotions I guess.
"Yeah -- I think for every diocese when they say goodbye to the cross and icon it's a sad moment, and then, of course, there's a new diocese that's getting excited about Welcoming the Cross and Icon so for the Archdiocese of Melbourne it's coming to a close but we're doing something exciting by taking the cross from the state of Victoria to a whole other state to go to Tassie -- Particularly on 'The Spirit of Tassie' leading up on the Pentecost Sunday to go in the spirit of Tessie which ties well into the theme of the WYD with 'Receiving the Spirit and the Power that the spirit gives us".
Now this a bit of an emotional part of the journey for the cross and the icon and it has been very busy over the last couple of weeks here with the Days in the Diocese of Melbourne. It's a bit sad but I guess the people of Hobart are extremely excited to touching the cross and have a pray...
"It's been a very exciting time from the time that we took the cross from the Sale Diocese, right through to parishes, schools, the prison, historic sites, first settlements ... people have engaged with it and I think it's really been wonderful to see as the cross goes through each city, people would reach out and wanted to touch it. And to me it's a sign of the goodness in people, the way in which they know that God loves them, and it's brought people of all ages together. As you saw today for the farewell-- there were people from all over the world and there were young and old and the hope that's there in our young people and the enthusiasm in Tasmania is just tremendous and I hope it will be a very encouraging moment for people to know that there's goodness in everyone and, to let that come to the fore".
As the cross and icon end their epic journey around Victoria, it's a very emotional and exciting time as they board the Spirit of Tasmania and head across the seas towards Hobart.
I'm Logan and I'll look forward to seeing more of you at World Youth Day. May the Lord be with you.
