Palm leaves, incense and Filipino dances to celebrate the Catholic festival
The Parramatta CBD will come to a standstill on 20 March as 1,000 Catholics from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains conduct their annual Palm Sunday procession.
The pilgrims will wave palm leaves, burn incense and feature various multicultural groups from Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Student representatives from various Catholic schools will carry their respective school banners during the walk.
The hour-long procession — part of a 2,000 year Christian tradition — will commence 5 pm at Parramatta Town Hall and conclude with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 6 pm.
Now in its eighth year, the Parramatta CBD walk has been organised by the Diocese of Parramatta and is held to commemorate Palm Sunday – an important event in the Christian calendar.
James Camden, Director of Catholic Youth, Diocese of Parramatta, is part of the committee organising the procession.
“Palm Sunday is a very important day and this procession will feature so many different groups that make up the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. We will have Australian, Polish, Filipino, Tongan and other groups represented,” Mr Camden said.
“Palm Sunday will be our first official gathering of 300 pilgrims from parishes and schools across the Diocese that are travelling to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, this coming July,” he added. An event after the mass will feature food, presentations and performances by local groups that specialise in Polish and Filipino dancing. A car raffle will also be drawn on the day.
For a video of a previous walk visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZQngM5dq_M
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