Charlotte Giambol used the beach for her inspiration while Lucy Savignano featured footprints for her design.
The Year 6 students from Arncliffe’s St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School are putting the finishing touches on their banners which they’ll hold proudly as they Walk With Christ this weekend.
The procession – which occurs on the Feast of Christ The King – is a public proclamation by thousands of Catholics to invoke Christ’s blessings upon our city.
The students are hoping to be selected as a winner of the banner competition and win a $100 gift card from Smiggle and a family pass for two adults and up to three children to the VIP area for the opening night of the Lights of Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral.
And it’s not too late to enter the competition or register to take part.
Charlotte, 12, who’s banner features a beautiful depiction of a beach, said it’s where she feels closest to Christ.
“Whenever I’m at the beach I can always feel his presence,” she said.
“And when I sit quietly and listen to the waves and the wind I know he is there with me.
“For me when I am struggling with something I know it’s very important to pray.
“When I’m at school it feels so nice to be surrounded by so many Catholics, but Walking With Christ with thousands of Catholics will feel really special.
“Me and my family are very excited for the opportunity.”
Classmate Lucy, 11, said walking together publicly declaring her faith was something she was looking forward to.
She said it will be incredibly “empowering” walking as one big Catholic family.
“I want to make a real difference in the world and walking and showing our faith in front of everybody will be very special,” she said.
“It means a lot to me knowing God is that I am walking with thousands of people who I don’t know but are all members of one big family.
“No matter who you are I would encourage everybody to Walk With Christ this weekend.”
Religious education coordinator Faye Reardon said she was thrilled with the response from not only the students but the teachers as well.
“Walk With Christ is our opportunity to show solidarity as Catholics,” she said.
“So often we hide behind things but this is our chance and to stand up, be proud and be counted.
“It shows we have a lot to offer as Catholics and encourages students to see the value of our way of life.”
Principal Kevin Bryson said his school community had spent a number of years working on the connection between the parish and the school.
And he said he felt they were now in a strong position to take that connection to a much wider community.
“This year we have made it a priority to get behind Walk With Christ,” he said.
“We have spent some time building our own faith community here at St Francis Xavier’s and feel we are now ready to take that out into the world.
“I feel as principal it is my role to develop the school’s faith life which I feel we have done and we are now ready to expand on this and take to the wider community.
For details on entering the competition go to: https://www.sydneycatholic.org/about-us/archdiocesan-events/walk-with-christ/#Banner-Competition
Participants are invited to meet at the corner of Martin Place & Pitt Street at 2.30pm this Sunday. Register at www.sydneycatholic.org/WWC19
