Holy Week Liturgy

On Thursday, a special liturgy was held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to commemorate the Last Supper and the washing of the feet by Jesus Christ. The liturgy was led by Father Saju and attended by students, teachers, parents, and even some surprise cruise ship visitors!

Although Holy Week occurs during our school holidays, the community at Sacred Heart always comes together before the end of Term to remember Christ’s sacrifice and glorious resurrection. Together, we sang hymns, listened to scripture, prayed, and heard Fr. Saju’s teachings. After the homily, Fr. Saju invited twelve students, six boys and six girls, to come forward and sit at the front of the church. Fr. Saju then knelt before the first student and began to wash their feet, drying them with a towel before moving on to the next student. The other eleven students also had their feet washed, and each time Father Saju recited a prayer of blessing.

In preparation for this special occasion, Fr. Saju visited classes throughout the week, reflecting on the significance of this act of service and humility. He emphasized that we are all called to serve one another and to love our neighbours as ourselves. At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, we are proud of our rich Catholic history, having played an important role in shaping the lives of countless students throughout the Torres Strait. At Sacred Heart, we seek to instil a deep sense of faith and moral responsibility in our students by incorporating Catholic values and teachings into every aspect of our education.

This liturgy, like many others at our school, was a powerful reminder of Christ’s teachings, especially regarding service and humility. The students were attentive and respectful throughout the liturgy, and many visitors commented on the exemplary participation of our students. Furthermore, it was a great way for the students to participate in the upcoming celebrations of Holy Thursday!