News from Bundaberg
11 May, 2022
Easter Celebrations
Once a year we pull out all the stops to celebrate the Paschal mystery in a big way. Beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding with Resurrection Sunday the mystery of our faith was highlighted thanks to the efforts of our priests, the Liturgy Team, and the many people who participated in each of the liturgies of Holy Week.
Holy Thursday with the Reception of the Holy Oils, the Washing of Feet, the remembrance of the institution of the Eucharist and the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament is always a favourite and was again this year. Good Friday’s simple liturgy of memorial was well attended, but it was the Easter Vigil that revealed the strengths of ritual and symbol to celebrate our faith.
Bonfire, incense, darkness, emerging light, the Exsultet and readings proclaimed, baptisms, confirmation, songs that are sung once-a-year, candles, and the large Easter baptismal font surrounded by peace lilies helped us witness to our faith.
We were privileged to witness the initiation of eleven people at the Easter Vigil and receive one adult into full communion of the Church. Fr Peter did a wonderful job of pouring the water excessively over the baptism candidates. They emerged with smiles, although quite wet and a bit cold. The baptisms continued Easter Sunday morning with two babies being welcomed into the family.
Welcome Billy Hill
The Rite of Reception into Full Communion of the Catholic church was celebrated on Sunday, 1st May, for Billy Hill. Billy had been preparing for this occasion for a short while, regularly joining us on Sundays, having his feet washed on Holy Thursday night, witnessing the Easter Vigil celebrations before finally making his profession of faith on the 3rd Sunday of Eucharist. He was overjoyed to be confirmed and receive holy communion for the first time.
Young Ones join us at Mass
It’s been good to have the children from St Joseph’s school rejoin us at the Friday 12.15pm Mass each week. Depending on the year level they have either sung a song or read the intercessory prayers during Mass too. The regulars really love having them there, expanding the sense of community.
