The Easter Triduum and Nature
Holy Week and the Easter Triduum went very well in our three parishes.
The Chrism Mass was a wonderful opportunity to gather. The attendance of so many primary and secondary students was wonderful.
The move from evening to midday a couple of years ago was intended to make life easier for those travelling from other parts of the diocese and to encourage schools to attend.
Most of the primary schools in the wider area came, and a couple of high schools sent students.
Thanks for all the work this entailed!
The Easter Triduum showed we can cooperate as parishes and hold combined masses.
This is not difficult, but the way of the future.
The Easter Candles at Our Lady of Lourdes and at the Cathedral were prepared by two classes and painted by two teachers. It was fantastic to see these magnificent pieces of living art in the Churches on Easter Sunday morning.
What was even more amazing was that several children came to the various masses and to the 5 am Vigil to see their candles lit and to complete the Paschal JOurney! To them and to their parents who got up to get them there, a huge “thank you” is given!
Exciting new imagination in people for Easter is central to any further or future growth. Easter needs to move us from our regular routinisation of worship if it is to become the place of our salvation.
Another huge thank you must go to musicians and singers who offered their presence and musical talents throughout Holy Week.
Song is the voice of the Church. “When we sing, we pray twice,” said St Augustine of Hippo. Another famous Jesuit composer once said: “Sing it all, but sing it on two notes”.
Hearing Alleluia as our final refrain throughout Eastertide reminds us that we are “Easter People, and Alleluia is our Song”.
Thanks to all who participated as readers, eucharistic ministers, ushers, sacristans, collectors, servers, florists, and all who worked behind the scenes to make the week holy and the Triduum a time of prayer and celebration.
A debt of thanks is owed by us all to the Pastoral Team who managed and organised the week: Steph Grantham, Donna Brown, Julie Randall, Claire Jacobs, Meg de Joux, Eleanor Jacobs, and Wendy Brock.
Thank you to Fr Vijay, Mons Dave and Mons Brian, who cared for the three parishes throughout Holy Week.
Finally, thanks to all of you who, through your attendance, prayer and care, sanctified the Week.
Fr Joe