Last Updated: Wednesday - 01/05/2011

Yellowknife students pray with cross

YELLOWKNIFE, N.W.T. — "It was like having the world come together."

This is how one St. Patrick High School student described the double celebration that occurred in the St. Patrick High School/Weledeh Catholic School twin gyms on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

The World Youth Cross Day event celebrated the once in a lifetime experience of having the cross visit Yellowknife as well as kicking off the 50th anniversary of Catholic education in Yellowknife.

The pope wasn't here, but his cross was, the cross that he gave to all youth in the world, the cross that has been touched by millions of hands, big and small.

On Tuesday, this cross made its way to Yellowknife. Eighty candle bearers led the cross into the dark twin gyms. This demonstrated the effect of light shining through the darkness.

This also marked the first time in a long time that students from all three schools — École St. Joseph School, St. Patrick High School, Weledeh Catholic School — in Yellowknife Catholic Schools were in one venue.

"That was the biggest cross I ever saw and I was very surprised," said one Grade 1 student from Weledeh Catholic School.

What a wonderful way to begin our 50th anniversary celebrations - Catholic education in Yellowknife is entering its 50th year. Our founders, Father Frances Ebner and Norman Byrne, would be proud.

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