Reaching out as a Eucharistic Community

- Responding to Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka

On Thursday evening 26^th April in St Patrick’s Church Mackay, the Easter Sunday joyfulness and songs of praise proclaiming the of the glory of the Risen Lord were replaced by a more subdued atmosphere of peaceful clam, reverence and respect. But the hope and belief in the Resurrected Christ remained.

The ordained and the non-ordained gathered as one, representative of the Mackay community from different faith communities – Christian, Islamic, Syro Malabar and maybe of no faith; representative also of the cultural diversity of the Mackay Region.

Under the leadership of Fr Don White, we had gathered to pray for and remember those killed and all affected by the Easter Sunday bombing in Sri Lanka.  The simplicity of the Liturgy of the Word celebration allowed the presence of Risen Christ in the Tabernacle, the Word and the assembly to draw us together as one united in sorrow, prayer and hope.

An acknowledgement of country was followed by a heartfelt welcome by Fr Don.  Then the opening prayer in which Fr Don prayed for the peace of Easter to be restored and the singing of Dan Schutte’s version of the Beatitudes in Blest are They.  We listened to Paul’s message in Colossians 3:12-17:  Above all clothe yourselves in love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called.   Led by the cantors we responded Father I put my life in your hands as Psalm 30 the psalm of the Good Friday liturgy was sung.  The reading of St John’s gospel 13:31-35 reminded us of Jesus’ words I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

On his homily Fr Don said   “Easter Sunday here at St. Patrick’s, like many other churches in our area was well attended. About 300 people came to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection, and it was a Liturgy of great joy in the presence of the Risen Lord. We gathered in peace. But across the seas north of Australia, in Sri Lanka, as we now know, a different experience of Easter was encounter by the people there in three churches and three hotels…….  Now it is time again for good people of every faith or way of life to again stand in solidarity with those so deeply affected. From the calm of our place, far away, we can at least pray for the people of Sri Lanka and continue to do what we can to build a more peaceful world.”

Then followed  a time of silent reflection before the mayor of the Mackay Region Cr Greg Williamson addressed the gathering saying:  “It is very humbling to see so many people in our community come together tonight to share in the grief of our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters. Through the power of prayer, we offer our support to the many Sri Lankans mourning the deaths of their loved ones”

Candles were lit by representatives of the community as we prayed for

1. For those killed or affected by the bomb blasts on Easter Sunday. Candle lit by a member of the Sri Lankan community
2. For the people of Sri Lanka and the work of the security services to bring those responsible to justice. Candle lit by a member of the Syro-Malabar community representing the cultural diversity of Mackay
3. For those assisting the bereaved and helping them to rebuild their lives. Candle lit a member of the wider Catholic community of Mackay
4. For peace in our world. Candle lit by a member of St Patrick’s community the founding Catholic community of Mackay
5. For greater understanding between peoples of faith. Rev John Haire representing Mackay Churches Together

 After the final blessing people were invited to receive a prayer card as they exited the church. 

In bringing this poignant celebration together in a such a short time the gifts among the St Pat’s community were evident. The mutual trust and respect of our collaborative model of pastor and parish leaders working together made the task easier especially with Fr Don travelling to and from Rocky for some of this time.  As chair of the parish council and having the flexibility of being retired I had the privilege of contacting a number of people to be part of this prayer service.   I say privilege because I heard firsthand the overwhelming cooperation and willingness of so many saying yes to making Fr Don’s initial concept a reality.

First the mayor of Mackay Regional Council,  Greg Williamson, who within half and hour of me talking to his secretary was on the phone, very supportive of Fr Don’s proposal, accepting the invitation to be present and to speak and promising the help of the Council’s communication team to promote the prayer service.

And then Rev Julia Pitman, Secretary of Mackay Churches Together also very supportive of this time or prayer who contacted the members of Mackay Churches Together.

Also - the readers, the organist and cantors, the sacristan, the welcomers at the door as people arrived and our cluster secretary –who in the midst of printing the weekend Bulletin printed and folded the booklets.  All who had just given so much time to the celebration of the Tridium and then Anzac Day;

Dr Muneeb Khan secretary of the Mackay Islamic community who was my contact for the Islamic community.

Again support for the event and the promise of contacting his community and the Imran who rang me to confirm that yes members of the Islamic would be present.

 And finally, the small team of Fr Don, Vicki Heggie and myself liturgy co-coordinators and Ashwin (seminarian) who gave shape to Fr Don’s initial outline of the Liturgy.

 There are no photos of this liturgy – it was not the time for taking photos but I am sure each person left with their own image, memory of being there; of being part of a sacred time together as people of faith and aware of the presence of the Risen Christ in our midst.

For me my memory is of the Sri Lankan family that I was introduced to.  Before I had time to ask them to light the first candle, they had moved to the very back seat in the side aisle.  When I approached them and asked if they would light the candle the mother’s immediate reply was, “We are not catholic but we just wanted to be here.” Once reassured they were happy to move towards the front of the church.  The father and elder son came forward to light the first candle and from the privileged position of reading the prayers I have a wonderful memory of the look of pure delight on the little boy’s face as his father light the candle and flame arose.

Mary Anne Baillie