A HUGE wooden cross which began its journey in Parramatta on August 8 will reach the Hawkesbury this week.
The cross’s journey, called the Way of Mercy, began with a launch mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral conducted by Bishop of Parramatta, the Most Reverend Vincent Long.
It is travelling with an actual relic of the only Australian saint, St Mary MacKillop – a strand of her hair - and of Mother Teresa – a card and letter she wrote to students in Castle Hill in 1986.
A Diocese of Parramatta spokesman said Pope Francis has called for a more merciful and inclusive church in “which we are all called to give consolation to each man and each woman of our time”.
The 3.7m cross and relics are journeying around western Sydney and the Blue Mountains on a truck in response to the Pope’s exhortation, to make people think about the issues involved.
The journey will take three months. The cross will arrive at Hawkesbury Hospital, run by St John of God Health Care, on Friday, August 26 where a special liturgy will be said as part of a celebratory ceremony.
The cross will then go to St Monica’s in Richmond, where another celebratory ceremony will be held, including the parishes of Windsor and Riverstone.
Representatives from 47 Catholic parishes across western Sydney and the Blue Mountains attended the launch mass at Parramatta and took the cross in procession to the square opposite the Cathedral.
The procession included 500 students from Catholic schools.
