Shire schools walk together in faith
More than 350 students from four Sydney Catholic Schools walked with parishioners through Cronulla on Friday 18 September for an inaugural Eucharistic Procession.
The event brought together school and parish communities from the Sutherland Shire as they began their local preparation for the Eucharistic Congress 2028 in Sydney.
Students from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware, St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla and St Aloysius College Cronulla gathered at Shelley Park, before walking along the Cronulla Esplanade to St Aloysius Church, where the four school communities came together with parishioners for a prayer service and Benediction.
Along the way, the procession paused at several points to pray for different intentions, including students' families, local lifeguards and marine animals. Students also carried a specially prepared prayer booklet for the day, with reflection questions exploring how Jesus has helped them make good choices, their own worries and feelings, and the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
Fr James McCarthy, Parish Priest of St Aloysius Cronulla, led the procession, providing an opportunity for students, staff and parishioners to walk together with the Blessed Sacrament and publicly witness to their faith.
Fr James said processions have a long history in the life of the Church and provide an opportunity to bring Christ beyond the walls of the church, "where we walk together with the body of Christ".
"Sometimes we can be insular in faith within the boundaries of the church building, but the blessings of Christ shouldn't just be limited to the building of the church."
"The blessings of Christ should be extended everywhere."
The procession included a special connection with residents of Stella Maris Aged Care Facility, which is run by the Sisters of Mercy.
A small group of students and Fr James gathered with residents in the facility's chapel before joining the wider procession, allowing those unable to participate to pray with the students and parishioners at the beginning of the walk.
For Christine Harding, Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, the opportunity to walk alongside other local Sydney Catholic Schools made the occasion particularly meaningful.
“Taking part in this inaugural Eucharistic Procession is a milestone. It provides our College community with a great opportunity to gather and bear witness to our faith, but what makes this event exceptionally exciting is the chance to walk side by side with our fellow Catholic schools and Fr James McCarthy.
“As a continuation of our Catholic education, we are bringing our core Mercy values into the wider community and creating the beginning of our local journey towards Eucharist 2028.”
Fr James said the procession was also an opportunity for young people to see that faith is part of every aspect of life.
“Faith encapsulates the entirety of our life, and it shouldn’t be narrowed down to a little pocket.
“And it’s good for young people to know that the church is not just this little building, but the blessings of Christ include every element of life.
“God is part of all of those experiences, and we want Christ to be part of that, and we want God’s blessings.”
The procession highlighted the opportunities created by being part of Sydney Catholic Schools, bringing students from different schools together to build connections, share experiences and see themselves as part of a wider Catholic education community.
