SUNDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2007 - Sunday evening Mass at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, was attended by the WYD Cross and Icon. After a long day of visiting civilian communities throughout Darwin, the Cross and Icon arrived at one of Australia's largest military bases and were processed by Australian Army soldiers, Army chaplains and members of St Michael's Catholic Community at Palmerston through the base to Lone Pine Chapel.

A humble, yet appreciative, congregation welcomed the Cross and Icon in true Darwin style. In the absence of Bishop Max Davis, Holy Mass at Lone Pine Chapel was celebrated by the Bishop of Darwin, Bishop Eugene Hurley (who was a military chaplain during the Vietnam Era) and concelebrated by Fr Paul Webb (the local priest at Palmerston who celebrates Sunday Mass at Robertson Barracks in the absence of the Army's Fr Morgan Batt) and Fr Chris Ryan MGL of the WYD Cross and Icon Team.

Local organiser, Captain Matthew Cain, expressed the significance of the Cross and Icon visiting the Robertson Community, "As ADF members based here are often deployed overseas and their families often make sacrifices, it was important that these items that represent hope through the love of Christ touch the Christian community and families here". He added, "It was lovely to have young people of the local Palmerston Community join us as this reflects the strong relationship between civilian community and this base, and in the absence of Fr Morgan Batt who is on overseas deployment, there was a true spirit of ecumenical cooperation from the other denominational chaplains in supporting this Roman Catholic event."

The generosity of the support provided by Headquarters 1st Brigade is also greatly appreciated by the Military Diocese.

CONTACT

For further information about the WYD Cross and Icon's visit to Robertson Barracks, Darwin, please contact:

CAPTAIN Matthew Cain
WYD Cross and Icon Local Military Diocese Organiser
Robertson Barracks
Email: matthew.cain@defence.gov.au

For general information about the WYD Cross and Icon's journey around Australia, visit the official World Youth Day Cross Website.