Tonight we welcomed Bishop Paul as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of our church.

On the great feast of Corpus Christi, children from our parish received Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time.

Holy Week is the most important week of the Church's year. The purpose of Holy Week is to relive and particpate in the passion of Jesus Christ. It is our opportunity to be there at the Last Supper, at the foot of the Cross, and at the empty tomb on Easter morning.

The events of Holy Week are:

Holy Week and Easter Services

14:April	Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday), the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
18:April	Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), the institution of Communion and the betrayal by Judas.
19:April	Good Friday, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ.
20:April	Holy Saturday, the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave.
	Holy Week services 2019 HOT

Maundy Thursday: This day takes its name from the Latin ‘Mandatum’ (command), because of Jesus’ command given that night: "Love one another, as I have loved you".  Today in our Cathedral all the priests of the Diocese will gather with the Bishop to renew their priestly commitment.  At that Mass also, the Holy Oils for use in the Diocese throughout the year will be blessed.  Hence the name: The Chrism Mass.

That evening at 7pm we celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, recalling the institution of the Eucharist by our Lord and how He linked this with service by washing the feet of his Apostles. Twelve people will have their feet washed at the Mass. After this Mass, there will be ‘watching’ at the Altar of Repose in memory of the time spent by Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Watching will conclude with Night Prayer at just before midnight.

Good Friday: Today we celebrate the Passion and Death of our Lord.  We follow his path with Stations of the Cross at 10am and then, at 3pm enter into the Solemn Liturgy of his Passion. At 7pm there will be a reflective service of prayer around the cross, including night prayer and lasting around 30mins.

Holy Saturday: The day when the Church in hope of Christ’s Resurrection.  The Easter Vigil begins at 8.30pm.  In this Vigil, when we celebrate Christ rising from the dead, all things are made new.  We bless fire, light and water; we proclaim the Gospel of the Resurrection, we renew our own Baptismal Promises. We sing ‘Alleluia’ as we celebrate the first Mass of Easter and receive the Risen Lord in Holy Communion.

On Palm Sunday we processed through the streets, marking the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, the beginning of Holy Week.