Last Updated: Wednesday - 01/05/2011

East Country pleased to receive Pilgrim Cross

The WYD cross is erected near the War Memorial in Killam.

WAINWRIGHT — Rev. Jim Kenney, pastor of Grace United Church here, received an invitation from Blessed Sacrament Parish to attend the visit of the pilgrim World Youth Day cross.

He squeezed into his schedule a time to visit the Catholic church and celebrate with more than 50 people who came to venerate the cross.

"Although we couldn't see it, the (WYD cross) exudes an aura, that speaks of the faith, hope and love of the people who have seen and touched it," Kenney told the WCR Nov. 16.

Kenney believes that the cross connects people to each other and bonds them in the common faith in Christ.

"I personally appreciate the effort of trying to involve the whole Christian community," Kenney said.

In a short homily, Father Josef Wroblewski, pastor of Blessed Sacrament, said, "the cross is a symbol of faith that journeys with us through life."

"It is not only a symbol of resurrection but also of the pilgrimage that we take."

The roles of Christians in the journey of life may change but the cross will stay the same for what it symbolizes, said Wroblewski.

"We have to open our eyes and see that Christ is with us in this journey and that the cross is always a reminder of Christ's presence."

A low attendance was marked at Wainwright because the day that the cross visited, there were no classes at Blessed Sacrament School due to an in-service training the teachers had to attend.

From Wainwright, the cross was brought to nearby Hardisty, where it was received by Father Larry Pederson.

Students from Allen Johnston School carried the cross around the block, where St. Joseph's Church was located before Pederson led them in a short prayer.

Colleen Munn of Hardisty was jubilant that the cross visited their village.

"I think it helps us recognize where our roots are and remember that even though our church is closed here, there is still faith and hope within the Catholic community."

"We have to pull together as a community and remember our kids and remember what's important to them too."

Ashlyn Munn, Grade 5 at Allen Johnston School, felt blessed by the visit of the cross. She knew that the cross had been all over the world. "It's just awesome that it visited our small town and we can touch and venerate it."

Ashlyn thinks that the cross is important because "when Jesus died on the cross, he died for us and that's why we have life."

From Hardisty the cross moved to Killam, where it was stationed at the War Memorial by the Killam AgriPlex.

People prayed for soldiers, alive and dead, before it was processed to St. Joseph Church.

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