On Saturday, 5 September, Max Jewell, Levi Donnelly, Max Palmer and Leo Allan set off from Sacred Heart Church in Hastings carrying a three-metre-long wooden cross. The cross was made by Max Palmer. Before we set off, Fr Vijay led us in prayer for our journey.
Starting at 7.00am, we walked past our school, St John’s College, down the highway, along the Clive River, through Clive, across the waterfront and along Marine Parade until we reached St Patrick’s Church in Napier at 2.00pm.
Although we initially set out on the walk to show that faith is alive among young people, as we walked, we began to realise just how many people throughout our community have a desire to know Christ.
We met no opposition while walking, only encouragement and support through people honking their horns, waving, cheering and even one man leaning half his body out of his car yelling, “Praise be to God!”
At that point, we gained a new motivation for the walk: to pray for Christ to intercede for the Hawke’s Bay region, and for even more young people in our community to come to know the love and peace of Jesus.
Fr Hemi met us along the way and was also there to welcome us when we arrived at St Patrick’s Church. We placed the wooden cross at the altar, marking the end of our journey.
We are determined to do the walk again, this time from Napier to Hastings, and raise even more awareness of Christ within the youth of both communities.
We are incredibly grateful for the prayers, encouragement and support we received along the way, and especially thankful for the assistance and encouragement of Fr Hemi and Fr Vijay.
For us, carrying the cross became more than a physical journey. It reminded us that there are many people in our community who are open to knowing Jesus. It has encouraged us to continue sharing our faith and to carry Christ with us wherever we go.
Watch the video of their journey below:
