United by Easter
Events
Easter 2024 was a time of reflection, with a special message from Archbishop Patrick O’Regan setting the tone for a period of reconnection.
“This Easter it seems that so many people are experiencing some form of being disconnected,” Archbishop O’Regan said.
“Whether it is the rising cost of living, the affordability of a simple home or the general sense that the world seems at times to be out of control and just doesn’t make sense. There is an anxiety that surrounds us.
“On Good Friday we see Jesus entrust his life to the Father in giving his life for us. And just when all seems lost, when the darkness seems to be the deepest, when hope seems furthest away, when hand, heart and head seem disconnected, the faithful God, the God of life, raised Jesus from the dead. Everything is connected again.”
Services at the St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral over the Easter period were well attended, with the Chrism Mass attracting about
440 congregation and choir members, 87 priests and five deacons. The Holy Thursday and Easter Saturday Vigil Masses each had about 450 people in attendance, with a congregation of 1100 joining the Mass on Good Friday. Easter Sunday Masses at the Cathedral attracted a total of 2760 people.
Archbishop O’Regan also led a group at the Stations of the Cross in the Sacred Garden of The Monastery on Good Friday.
The Syro-Malabar community was particularly active, as it embraced Lent with an ongoing series of events across South Australia.
The Way of the Cross at Eden Valley’s Three Cols Road
On March 17, a moving Lenten pilgrimage to Sevenhill took place, where The Way of the Cross with Holy Qurbana were held at
St Aloysius’ Church.
More than 400 people of all ages attended.
“We do the pilgrimage every year,” said Fr Siby Kurian from St Alphonsa Syro Malabar Forane Church.
“Last year we went to Penola and next year we will go to Sevenhill again. It is the oldest monastery here in South Australia.
“St Aloysius’ Church is beautiful and is only one and a half hours from our parish – that’s important when families are coming along, which many do.”
St Aloysius’ Church is under the care of the Jesuits and has served the parish of Sevenhill since its completion in 1875.
On Saturday March 23, The Way of the Cross took place at Eden Valley’s Three Cols Road. More than 500 people made the journey, many of whom climbed to the Eden Valley Lookout.
The interactive Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at Park 20 (Blue Gum Park) in Adelaide’s CBD was also a moving experience. The live re-enactment of the Passion of Christ attracted a crowd of more than 2000 people and was broadcast in Malayalam on Indian television’s Shekinah News.
Jump to next article
