The joy of Easter knows no bounds, even if you’re located 1500 kilometres off the Australian coast, 2600 kilometres northwest of Perth, in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Such is the case for the unique faith community of Christmas Island which warmly welcomed Fr Joseph Laundy recently to celebrate their Easter services – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday – as well as the confirmation of two siblings.
All services were well attended, particularly Easter Sunday where 31 people participated in the liturgy followed by a shared meal.
For Fr Joe, it was his third visit to the island and one he is always keen to make.
“The small community has been faithfully gathering for decades even though priest visits only happen twice a year – at Christmas and Easter,” Fr Joe explained.
“The humidity, tropical climate and rugged jungle environment, plus the fact that the island is an extinct, ancient volcano, made the celebration of the Easter liturgies very unique.”
Home to some 1700 residents, Christmas Island, while not technically within the jurisdiction of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, falls under and benefits from its pastoral care.
Beyond major feasts like Christmas and Easter, the community regularly facilitates other gatherings that seek to foster togetherness and devotion among Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
