The pews were overflowing as Catholics recognised Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 2, at St Brendan’s Church in Shepparton.
The event is one of the most significant celebrations on the Christian calendar. It commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem and signifies the start of the holy week.
Mass on Sunday was presided over by parish priest Father Joe Taylor as well as Fr Paul Sireh and Reverend Francois Boguma.
Attendees, who represented the many cultures that make up the Shepparton community, were given miniature palms that were blessed by Fr Taylor and Fr Sireh before the gospel of the week, which detailed the Easter story in full, was read out.
Fr Taylor said Palm Sunday was a reminder of Jesus’s love for mankind.
“We remember Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem where He knew that death would await Him,” he said.
Fr Taylor said Palm Sunday had come to represent a day on which Christians especially pray for peace.
Holy week is traditionally one of the busiest periods for St Brendan’s Church, with multiple masses held, and Fr Taylor encouraged anyone wanting to know Christ to attend.
“Please come and join in,’’ he said.
“It’s a way that you encounter Christ ... this week is especially deeper as we reflect on His suffering, His death and then His resurrection.’’
Holy week mass times at St Brendan’s:
Wednesday, April 5, reconciliation, 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Holy Thursday, April 6, mass at 5pm.
Good Friday, April 7, celebration of Christ’s passion, 3pm; stations of the cross, 7.30pm.
Saturday, April 8, Easter vigil mass, 6pm.
Easter Sunday, April 9, mass, 8am and 11am.