Presiding: Reverend Francois Boguma, Father Paul Sireh and Fr Joe Taylor at the Palm Sunday mass at St Brendan’s Church in Shepparton.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The pews were overflowing as Catholics recognised Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 2, at St Brendan’s Church in Shepparton.
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The event is one of the most significant celebrations on the Christian calendar. It commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and signifies the start of the holy week.
Big turnout: St Brendan’s Church was packed, with both church levels filled with devout Catholics celebrating Palm Sunday.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Mass on Sunday was presided over by parish priest Father Joe Taylor as well as Fr Paul Sireh and Reverend Francois Boguma.
Attendees, who represented the many cultures that make up the Shepparton community, were given miniature palms that were blessed by Fr Taylor and Fr Sireh before the gospel of the week, which detailed the Easter story in full, was read out.
Body of Christ: Asotolu Tunamafono receives the eucharist from Fr Paul Sireh.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Fr Taylor said Palm Sunday was a reminder of Jesus’s love for mankind.
“We remember Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem where He knew that death would await Him,” he said.
Fr Taylor said Palm Sunday had come to represent a day on which Christians especially pray for peace.
Powerful message: Fr Joe Taylor says Palm Sunday is a reminder that Jesus came willingly into Jerusalem where He knew death awaited Him.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Holy week is traditionally one of the busiest periods for St Brendan’s Church, with multiple masses held, and Fr Taylor encouraged anyone wanting to know Christ to attend.
“Please come and join in,’’ he said.
“It’s a way that you encounter Christ ... this week is especially deeper as we reflect on His suffering, His death and then His resurrection.’’
Holy week mass times at St Brendan’s:
Wednesday, April 5, reconciliation, 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Holy Thursday, April 6, mass at 5pm.
Good Friday, April 7, celebration of Christ’s passion, 3pm; stations of the cross, 7.30pm.
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