PASCAL CANDLE

At the Easter Vigil Mass, the Pascal candle is blessed and lit for the first time. It will be used throughout the Easter season and at baptisms until next Easter when a new candle is blessed. The Pascal candle has the symbols of Jesus on it: a cross, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega, symbolising that Christ is our beginning and end, and the current year showing Christ is Lord of our time. Five grains of incense in the form of a cross are inserted as symbols of the five wounds of Christ.

The Easter Triduum 

The Easter Triduum refers to three days in the Church’s calendar which expresses the central mystery of our Christian faith.

It begins on Holy Thursday as we focus on Jesus’ farewell words and deeds at the Last Supper. Good Friday is when we ponder the events of his suffering and death. It finishes with the Easter Vigil when we celebrate the liberation of humankind through Christ’s resurrection. This three –stage sequence of worship allows to take in an enormous mystery in small parts and relate it to our own lives-the sorrows, joys, successes and failures.

The Easter Triduum is considered the highlight of the Church’s Year.

In our Tumut Parish the ceremony times are:

• Holy Thursday 7pm
• Good Friday 3pm
• Saturday Easter Vigil 7pm

The Way to Mercy

The Way of Mercy is four simple steps to heal a relationship based on the principals of restorative justice. When we say or do things that we shouldn’t hurt someone or break the trust of another, it’s important to take ownership of our actions, or inactions, apologise for it and rebuild the relationship.

Making an Apology

Step 1… Sorrow: I am sorry for

Step 2... Empathy: It was wrong because…

Step 3… Promise: in the future I will…

Step 4… Mercy: Please forgive me.