In 2010, I travelled to Seville for ‘Semana Santa’ Holy Week.
Now in 2011, I am at home in Sydney and participating in the Holy Week observances with my fellow parishioners at St Canice’s in Elizabeth Bay/Kings Cross. There’s a vast difference in scale between the two events, but neither more fulfilling than the other.
Finding meaning and relevance through life on the streets of Kings Cross doesn’t mean that I’m likely to forego the comforts of home anytime soon.
In this age when so many people are staying away from churches in droves, questioning the authority of the church and the relevance of practising their faith, there’s still much satisfaction and personal growth to be gained spiritually by becoming involved.
Being part of a community like St Canice’s with its unique pastoral outreach to the disadvantaged makes it easier ‘to believe’.
I take a simplistic view. “If we do unto others as we would have them do to unto us”, we’d be all living in a much better world. That long journey into peaceful co-existence has to start somewhere, and with some one!
This short video on ‘The Way of the Cross through the streets of Sydney’s Kings Cross’ on Good Friday shows communities of St Canice’s Catholic parish joining with neighbouring St John’s Anglican parish to transform a 4th Century Byzantine practice of early Christians into a present-day context.
More commonly known as ‘The Stations of the Cross’ – we follow a wooden Cross through the streets of Kings Cross, stopping in poignant spots to identify with, and pray for the plight of many who may be homeless; drug addicts; prisoners; prostitutes; or dying. The participation provides tangible meaning to what it means to be a practising Christian.
Finding meaning walking through the streets of Kings Cross
THE PASSION – After a reading of the Passion, Fathers Steve and Aloysius read the Intercessions. Our St Canice congregation then reveres the wood of the Cross and takes Holy Communion. This is a moving ceremony that prompts personal introspection as to how we treat; what we do; or don’t do for others in more need than ourselves. Again, a short movie tells the story, or part of it anyway.
Michael, Thanks for sharing this … I was touched by the St.Canice’s film (watched to the background of thunder rolling in here in Versailles, breaking the heat of an exceptional spring day) , and overwhelmed by the beauty of Seville’s cathedral and ceremonial. Another destination yet to be seen!
Happy Easter to you too
Dom
Faith is such a personal imperative and a contemporary dilemma for many people, so I am glad that you have found such a special place in which to revel in your spiritual life. Father Steve Sinn has made sense of the huge conversation about what is being a christian in the 21st century. His commitment to the homeless and misunderstood is truly revolutionary.
Thank you for your bravery in sharing your own faith Michael. I believe that compassion for others is the only way to face the modern world and starting conversations about the many ways that can happen is very important indeed.
Michael , my very dear friend , past memories of my very early youth , as 15 to 23yrs old , when on thursday , we used to visit 7 churches , then on Good friday , it was the stations of the cross within the very large churches , which was a must with my father , and the choirs , were quite SOMETHING , accompanied by formidable well known organ performers, so “”” Thanks for the memories “” and on Saturdays we the young girls and young men hum hum used to go to the orthodox churches where they were really voicing with wonderful greek choirs the Christ resurection, well ”these were the days ””
Still extremely happy that I Can remember !!!! Non ?????
Big hug MA
Dear Michael, I had time to look at both videos and they are great. Congratulations. Both of them capture the “feel” of Canice’s and the Cross……. both Crosses.
Thanks for sending them both and once again may you have a Happy Easter!
Phil
Mick
You have done a great job of the Good Friday Stations. I have used it as an Easter message to many of my believer friends.
Hope that’s Ok. I missed the stations on Friday but there were so many on Sunday morning the crowds outside were almost to the gutters.
I stood all through mass but wormed my way inside.
Luv
Anne
Thanks Michael. Pity we could not be in two places at the one time. The outdoor stations of the cross at the marist brothers’ seminary and vineyard at mittagong were very moving and we had a lovely easter Sunday service in kangaroo valley – the little church was bursting at the seams. In between we have been socialising locally and doing a lot of relaxing. Look forward to your trip videos.
I have missed the video before but now I watched it and, yes, it is good and conveys the feeling of what St. Canice is doing. I must say that I do prefer photographs, they capture the moment and the expression.
Edmundo, Your comment on ‘preference for photographs’ to video is thought-provoking. How much easier and time-saving it would be for me to revert to simple photographs to ‘tell the story’. I’m going to poll friends to fetch other opinions. Thank you.
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