Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Perth were filled to capacity over the Easter weekend as thousands of faithful concluded the Easter Triduum with the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday celebrations.
The central mystery of our Catholic faith, found in the wonder and joy of Christ’s Resurrection, was recalled in the numerous Easter liturgies and raised as a focal point for the current Easter season.
Within the mother church of Perth’s Catholic community, St Mary’s Cathedral, Christ’s Resurrection was re-lived at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 4 and Sunday, 5 April, as Archbishop of Perth Tim Costelloe led the faithful through one of the most important liturgies of the year.
In his homily, the Archbishop encouraged those present to not lose the promise of happiness that Christ offers us at Easter, despite the numerous news of death and destruction taking place in the world at the moment.
Referring to the situation of deep instability gripping the Middle East and different parts of Africa and the world, the Archbishop pointed out that this may be a difficult time in which to believe in the Resurrection.
He also emphasised, however, that confronting a situation without Jesus Christ is by no means the same as confronting it with Him.
“The power of death has been broken,” the Archbishop said.
“No matter what comes, we do not need to be afraid because, united to Jesus and travelling the journey of our lives with Him beside us, we can draw on His power, His courage, His fidelity and His compassion when our own threaten to fail us.
“This is the message of Easter, this is at the heart of our Christian hope,” the Archbishop said.
Some parishes within Perth, such as Morley’s Infant Jesus; Good Shepherd, Lockridge and Our Lady of the Mission, Whitford, saw youth groups re-enact the Stations of the Cross in front of large, reflective congregations.
Kolbe Catholic College, Rockingham, also put on a memorable performance of the Stations that gripped both students and parents of the school in the lead up to Easter.
Others, such as St Jerome’s in Spearwood, processed around the parish, choosing individuals to carry a wooden cross, a lance and to read each Station.
One of the great re-enactments of the Stations of the Cross once again came from the Disciples of Jesus who took to the streets of Fremantle on Saturday, 4 April, to perform a dramatic performance of the passion of the Christ.
Although reactions from bystanders were mixed, “after the event, while the musicians led songs of praise, a number of onlookers approached the actors and shared how the drama had touched their life”, said Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community member Reg Firth.
The drama has been presented in the streets of Fremantle for the last 20 years.
As usual, baptisms were the highlight of many Easter celebrations.
Twelve baptisms and admissions into the Church, and six confirmation of candidates aged 11 to 60 took place at an Infant Jesus Church bursting with more 1,000 attendees.
In Whitford’s Our Lady of the Mission, 15 adults received the Sacraments of Initiation. Three children were also baptised at the Easter Vigil, and another three adults were confirmed before Easter.
Our Lady of Lourdes in Rockingham saw an entire family receive baptism and confirmation, to the delight of Fr Pierluigi Vajra CRS, Fr Vijay D’Souza CRS and the entire parish community.
The Boyds were overcome with joy as dad Brendan was baptised and confirmed, mum Natalie was received into the Church and confirmed, son Mitchell was baptised and confirmed, son Campbell and daughter Brooklyn were baptised.
Another parishioner, Donna Fitzsimmons, was baptised and confirmed.
More than 150 people who completed the RCIA program were baptised or formally admitted into the Catholic Church of Perth during Easter.
The Easter season runs for 50 days and will culminate in the feast of Pentecost.
Easter 2015 Photo Gallery
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