THE World Youth Day Cross and Icon visit to the Gold Coast last month included a morning at BoysTown in Kingston south of Brisbane on November 23.
Matthew Ross, a past BoysTown volunteer, is journeying with the legendary symbols of the faith and said he was proud to take them to where “it all started” for him.
“BoysTown and the cross are about making life better for young people and giving them some hope,” he said.
“I look at this cross and I realise that there is something bigger than myself.”
BoysTown general manager John Perry said he wanted those associated with BoysTown to experience the cross, icon and indigenous message stick, that is travelling with them, firsthand.
“BoysTown works with and employs hundreds of young people and we wanted to give them a chance to be part of the journey which has been going from Africa, Asia, through the islands of the Pacific and now through Australia, promoting peace and tolerance,” he said.
The message stick is an invitation to the indigenous youth of Australia to come to World Youth Day to be held in Sydney next July.
The WYD Cross and Icon was at the Gold Coast from November 21-23 for Schoolies Week.
BoysTown is a youth welfare and advocacy agency that provides a range of services including counselling, education and training, social development, life skills training and employment.
They visited Schoolies’ Week especially to see the Cross and Icon “up close” but also to offer support to various school leavers.
Other celebrations held during the course of the week included Mass and personal prayer opportunities as well as a visit to BoysTown and Robina Hospital.
