Facing the challenges of life’s journey with faith
By Wendy Shaw
A Palm Sunday Pilgrimage through the streets, laneways and parks of the Launceston suburb of Invermay was an opportunity for reflection, connection and prayer.
About 40 pilgrims of all ages took part in the fourth annual five-kilometre walk, to a soundtrack of sirens, traffic, birdsong and quiet chatter, on a blustery autumn day.
Niccola Pearce, in her welcome on behalf of Acting Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Paul Mannion at St Finn Barr’s Catholic Church, said the walk would be easy for some and challenging for others.
“As we walk, take notice of those around you,” Ms Pearce said.
“Use this as an opportunity to connect with someone new. Take time to reflect, to notice and to pray.
“Our journey will take us along straight paths and winding ones, over smooth ground and rough surfaces. These can remind us of our own lives—times of ease and times of challenge.
“We will travel along busy roads that reflect the pace of our daily lives, through quieter suburban streets where things slow down, and into nature—by the river and into the forest—a space that can become our ‘desert’, a place of stillness and reflection.
“And just as Jesus entered the desert and returned renewed, so too will we return to our daily lives, hopefully refreshed, re-centred and renewed.”
Parishioner Kim McInnes was taking part in her third annual pilgrimage.
“It is open to all of our church centres and it is a really lovely way to get everyone together,” she said.
“I like the way it unites our community and we get to know each other a little bit more in an informal, quite reflective way.”
An Invermay Park Run regular, Maree Wright took advantage of the slower pace over familiar ground on Palm Sunday for fellowship and reflection.
“What I like is the community feel and the engagement of everyone in the parish and I also think it’s a lovely start to Holy Week and journeying together,” she said.
Melissa White was one of the organisers of the event last year, which took in Launceston’s Cataract Gorge.
She explained the significance of the pilgrimage for her.
“For me it is being in nature to start with—it is one of the places I feel closer to God—and reflecting about encounters I may have along the way; and encountering Christ in others on the walk,” she said.
During a pause for reflection in Heritage Forest, Launceston Parish Priest Fr Shammi Perera emphasised the depth of love God offers for all who are taking part in a sometimes-difficult life journey.
“I want you to be assured of one thing. When you journey, when you come across those moments of hardship, feelings of abandonment—it could be a difficult time for your family or when a friend is going through a sickness—always be assured that God suffers with you and He never abandons you,” Fr Shammi said.
“I want you to be reassured of God’s presence in your journey. So take this message with you and also try to reflect this message to others.”
Following the pilgrimage, more parishioners flocked to a well-attended outdoor Mass and a blessing of the palms at St Finn Barr’s Catholic School courtyard at Invermay.
Afterwards, Fr Shammi said he hoped parishioners reflected on the key message that ‘our suffering is redemptive’.
“The suffering of Christ on the Cross reminds us that there is no pain we endure that has not already been borne by Him,” Fr Shammi added.
“Christ is not a saviour who stands at a distance, but a brother who enters into our very suffering. By sharing in our burdens, He transforms them, so that even our trials can become redemptive and life-giving.”
Fr Shammi thanked the pilgrims, Sr Elizabeth Vagg for liturgy preparation, the Parish Pastoral Council and the staff of St Finn Barr’s Catholic School for their support on the day.