By Sunil Rodrigues
Holy Week and Easter was celebrated last week at Cloverdale Parish with a key focus on youth.
The parish’s young lay faithful played an important role in the Church during the Paschal Triduum, with Parish Priest Fr Michael Quynh Do recognising that are key in the future congregation.
On Maundy Thursday, Fr Quynh washed the feet of 12 parishioners consisting of the youth leaders and members of the Notre Dame Parish Youth Group.
On Good Friday, the children led the Stations of the Cross, enacting the 14 stations, thus learning about the passion of Jesus.
The Easter Vigil began with the blessing of the new fire. The Paschal Candle was blessed and lit – representing Jesus Christ the Resurrected. The congregation then lit their candles from the Paschal Candle.
The solemn Blessing of the Water was carried out by lowering the Paschal Candle and blessing the water. This holy water was used to carry out the baptism of the candidates present.
Easter Saturday, 20 April, was also a special occasion for seven RCIA and RCIC candidates. Maddison Joanne Mahoney, Katelyn Isard, Nastouh Parsa, Faye Chin Lin MacFarlane, Patricia Amivi Akpabli, Daniel Kufe and Donald Kufe were welcomed into the Catholic faith community.
The Easter Vigil Mass ended with Easter eggs being distributed to the children.