Scenes from Good Friday

There were two major liturgies on Good Friday morning. The first for families took us on a journey for the five senses where we had a chance to engage with the way of the cross.  We learned to sing "Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom", the simple Taize hymn, and heard the gospel story.  Then we explored touch through learning about making the sign of the cross.  Carrying the cross is demanding - but as a community we can share it.  We met one of the women of Jesusalem who were weeping - and we learned that crying can sometimes be a good thing because God is bigger than we are and hears our prayers. We wrote prayers for others on large tear drops. 

We moved to the centre where we could see the large cross at the front - and were reminded that Jesus was given sour vinegar to drink and taunted by the soldiers.  Then we heard about a dramatic event where rocks tumbled and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  This was a chance to learn something about the place of the Temple at the time of Jesus.  It had several sections and different people were allowed into different parts of it - Gentiles on the outside rim, observant Jesus closer in - and the high priest in the centre only once a year.  But that structure was torn apart - and left cloth souvenirs as reminders. 

Finally we returned to the sanctuary and had a chance to smell frankincense and myrrh - and used them to bury Jesus and lay him in the tomb.  And we were reminded that this was not the end of the story - and went downstairs for hot cross buns and egg decorating.

The more traditional Good Friday Solemn Liturgy followed  - unaccompanied hymns, a forceful homily delivered by guest preacher, Fr. Pearce Carefoote, the solemn collects,  the Veneration of the Cross with Willan's moving setting  of the Reproaches sung by the Gallery Choir alternating with the congregational "Sing My Tongue the Glorious Battle".

“Faithful Cross above all other,
One and only noble tree1
None in foliage, none in blossom
None in fruit thy peer may be:
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron,
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.”

The Sacrament returned to the high altar and a mass of the presancitified  followed.  Then all departed in silence to respect the solemnity of the day.

Moments from the Maundy Thursday liturgy

The Altar of Repose lies in wait.  A homily,  moving singing from the gallery and from the Ritual Choir, a eucharist with many celebrants and a procession to the St. Joseph's Altar.  All furnishings removed. The high altar ready for Tenebrae.

Palms and Processions

From outdoor readings and marches to distributions of palms and indoor processions.  Palm Sunday is rich and varied at all our masses.

Register for our Summer Kids Camp!

Registration is now open for another of our wonderful Summer Kids Camps.  Children 4-12 are invited to join us the last week of summer - Monday August 27th to Friday August 31, from 9.00am to 4.30pm. Before and aftercare will be provided at no extra cost.  You can read all about it and register here.

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Guide to Holy Week and Easter

A Guide to Holy Week and Easter Day.

Holy Week is best experienced in its fullness, day by day. We invite you to enter into the richness of this week of weeks, allowing the powerful liturgies to enter deeply into your body, mind and soul. You will not be disappointed.

Holy Week is "the week of weeks" of our Christian lives. During this week we follow Jesus "from the glory of the palms to the glory of the resurrection, by way of the dark road of suffering and death". 

Palm Sunday is a day of sharp contrast. We begin the liturgy recalling Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. With those who greeted him that day, we too wave our palms and shout "Hosanna in the highest". But then the mood shifts. We sing of Jesus the King "riding on in majesty to die". The story of Christ's passion, crucifixion and death is told, and we leave prepared to enter deeply into this holiest of weeks.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday our daily liturgical observances are intensified. Mass is said twice a day, and on Monday and Tuesday nights we are invited to observe and follow the Way of the Cross. 

Tenebrae, which is sung on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights of Holy Week, is a SMM tradition reaching back to the 1920s. The service starts in full light, which is gradually reduced to complete darkness except for a single candle, representing the promise of resurrection. It is a liturgy of simple and yet profound power.

The heart of Holy Week is the great "Three Days" (the Triduum), the observances of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. Together these three observances form one continuous liturgy.

 On Maundy Thursday, we recall Christ's two acts of the night before he died -- the washing of his disciples' feet as an act of service, and the institution of the Eucharist as a sign and symbol of the reality of his death and resurrection. At the end of the liturgy, the sacrament of Christ is placed in the St. Joseph Chapel at the Altar of Repose. We are invited, throughout the evening and night until the next day, to spend time with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he watches and waits.

 On the morning of Good Friday, we walk the Way of Cross in a service particularly designed for children and young people. And then, at noon, we proclaim the passion of Christ's crucifixion and death. In solemn prayer we uphold the needs of our fallen world and then, in remembrance of his death, we receive communion, the sacrament that has been reserved at the Altar of Repose throughout the previous night.

 The Great Vigil of Easter begins in total darkness. A new fire and the Paschal (Easter) Candle is lit. In the growing light we hear the great proclamation of Easter (the Exultet), we celebrate the sacrament of baptism and renew our baptismal vows, and then celebrate the first mass of Easter. There is no other liturgy of the Church's year which more fully expresses the mystery of our redemption through Christ's death and resurrection. (And, as if that is not enough, an abundant Resurrection Party follows, including the joyous singing of the Hallelujah Chorus.)

 And then, on Easter Day, we celebrate in the full light of Christ's resurrection as we sing our Alleluias. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Gardening

Our first family event inviting participants to make an Easter garden was inspired by our success with Advent wreath making.  One parent observed that this one would be tidier - no cleanup of pine needles on the floor - but we forgot that it involved lots of dirt. After hearing a story, children and their parents enjoyed creating a take-home garden in a large planter with a smaller one representing the tomb, grass seed to water, stones, and a few desert plants - with the promise of an additional plant in bloom on Easter day.  After a light supper, they also added painted figures to the scene.  These hands-on activities are a great way to learn and reflect on the Easter story.