Join the Castlemaine district churches to remember the story behind Easter at the ‘Way of the Cross Castlemaine’ on Good Friday. The special interfaith event is now in its seventh year and will see local church representatives, parishioners and community members celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus and the blessings of our region by walking from church to church, carrying the cross, and sharing scriptures and reflection at each station.
The ecumenical church event will begin at 11am with community members gathering outside St Mary’s Church to join the Way of the Cross procession through the streets.
The Way of the Cross was initiated by St Mary’s Catholic Parish priest Father Wahid Riad who was previously involved in a similar moving event in the Melbourne CBD.
Fr Wahid said many people thought of Easter as a great time to go camping or watch the footy but it was so much more than that.
“The whole period leading up to Easter is special, but Holy Week is particularly special to people of faith,” he said.
On behalf of all local churches, Fr Wahid invites community members of all walks of life and faiths to join in the Good Friday procession on April 7.
The walk will stop at 14 locations across the city including local churches, the Civic Centre, the Market Building, Victory Park and the Recreation Park at Castlemaine Railway Station where Father Wahid said many of the region’s poor gathered.
“Many people in our community are facing hardships, they are suffering, they have their own cross to bear, we will pray for those people, for humanity, for our refugees. We will also give thanks for the gifts, artistic talents and blessings of our region,” he said.
At the conclusion of the event community members will gather for hot cross buns and a cuppa at the St Mary’s Hall.
A 10.30am combined church service will also be held at the Maldon Beehive Chimney.
“It’s a holy and precious day and we invite the community to be part of it,” Father Wahid said.
