A SERVICE WITH A DIFFERENCE

















The Passion of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Roman Catholics in all Churches around the globe and is no different in Australia.  In Perth, the” Passion” (beginning with Christ’s Agony in the Garden and ending with His Crucifixion and death on the Cross)  was well-enacted on Good Friday at the Good Shepherd Church Lockridge.  Staged by the youth during the 10am service, “The Stations of the Cross,” the play captured the emotions around Christ’s life and death through its settings, costumes, make-up, lights, sound, and voices that matched the script.

According to 32-year-old Youth Facilitator Francis Plando, “Our parish is motivated to inspire all those with whom we connect; particularly our youth.  Each year, our focus in staging the play has been on involving the youth as actors  rather than spectators.”   38 youngsters comprised this year’s cast and four youngsters comprised the choir that created the reflective atmosphere.

The Parish’s enthusiasm to stage “the play with a difference” and its perseverance to keep intact its high standards deserve special mention.  This year, it introduced a scene from the Garden of Gethesemane as a Station before the Stations of the Cross.  The dimmed  lights and the somber music, set the  mood for the journey to Mount Calvary.  The life-size Cross created with the required fittings was the outstanding feature on the Sanctuary; thanks to the donations from the Parish community.

The 38-member cast began rehearsals four weeks in advance and practiced for two hours each week.  “We have missed our regular weekly youth sessions…But our commitment to excellence has had us attend each rehearsal.”  It may be apt to mention here that the cast began their acting journey at the Good Shepherd 10 years ago and have graduated from acting in simple roles (like a member of the crowd or as women of Jerusalem)  to acting in specialised roles (like the Roman guards, Pontius Pilot and Jesus Christ).

Production skills aside, the Good Shepherd has exemplary organisation skills.  Its first two pews are reserved for children.  This has been attracting families from the nearby and distant suburbs who drive to Lockridge to be consumed by the spirit of Good Friday.  Its wardens in high-viz shirts, at the entrance-exit-inside the carpark, that accommodates around 100 cars, arrive two hours before the celebration to place signages and bollards and direct traffic in and out of the carpark and the Oval.  Parish Priest Fr Aloysius Leong (lovingly known as Fr Al) who has led the Parish for the last 10 years and Assistant Priest Paul Nuyhn chose to serve as ushers and lead the eager visitors towards the vacant seats.  Approximately 1000 people occupied the auditorium-styled indoor and outdoor pews.  Such is the management’s hospitality and heartiness that the congregation…Not only arrive 60 minutes before the start of this annual celebration to secure a parking spot and a front seat…But also linger in the confines of the Church precinct expressing their appreciation of the services.

First staged in 2015, the production of the Passion of Jesus Christ at the Good Shepherd has become bigger, better and sought-after by the faithful.  As in the words of Kathleen O’Hearn, whose family has been attending the services for over 30 years; and Feby Mertens who has been photographing the Paschal Triduum events (Maundy Thursday/Good Friday/Holy Saturday) for the last 10  years, “ To us, a good Easter Sunday follows only a great Good Friday”


SOPHIE MENEZES


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