The Sign of the Cross was made at the beginning of our Maundy Thursday Mass and we were not dismissed until the end of the Easter Vigil.

The Evening Mass of
Maundy Thursday,
the celebration of the
Lord’s Passion on Good Friday
and the Easter Vigil
are all one act of worship.

So we gathered on
Maundy Thursday.
Oils blessed in the Cathedral
that morning were brought
forward, the Scriptures read
and feet were washed. 

Once the altar was adorned and the Eucharist celebrated the Blessed Sacrament
was added to everything else we had cherished during the Mass.

The children gathered with their
parents on the morning
of Good Friday.


With words and actions
and music we reflected
on the beautiful
"Servant King" hymn
and then we all
venerated the Cross.

The afternoon was marked by the solemn liturgy of the day.
The church was full as St. John's Passion account was read and the Cross was venerated.
For those who had to work on the day a similar service was held in the evening.

During Saturday the church was quiet, but all in preparation for the great Easter Vigil.
The parish gathered in great numbers for the event and it was truly powerful.

This is what it means to be part of the Church –
celebrating the resurrection and bringing others
to the good news.

A dark building was illumined by the Easter fire,
the ancient Exsultet was sung,
the history of our salvation read,
water was brought forward for blessing.


Five adults were baptised:
David Lau, Tao O'Rourke, Ray Hutchison,
Nicki Brennan and Sarah Pastoriza.

A further nine were received into the Church: John Holstead, Astra Curzon, Catherine Ryan, Stacey and Beverley Wozniak, John Samuels, Pam Wilson, Paul Siggery and Joan Munt

Three adults
asked for Confirmation:
Daniel O'Driscoll,
Stephen Jenkins
and Helen Critcher.

There was an atmosphere of joy and for the 9.30 a.m. Mass, Mary Jones
very generously made cakes for us all to share.

Mary Jones
& family
pictured last
year