Churches packed for Easter
City parishioners flock to services
SOME of Toowoomba’s Christian churches had to put up the “full house” sign at some of their Easter Sunday services at the weekend.
St Patrick’s Cathedral was almost full for its four Easter Sunday services which were led by parish priests Fr Hal Ranger and Fr Peter Dorfield who provided a special Easter blessing for the congregation at each of the services.
Down the road at Redeemer Lutheran Church, similar attendances were reported with services led by Pastor Michael Lockwood with assistants Ken Reid, Andrew Burger and Ian Lotz on the altar for communion.
Long term Redeemer parishioner John Kessler said Easter still held a special place in the hearts of practising Christians.
“It means everything,” Mr Kessler said of Easter.
“Jesus paid for the sins of the world and I’m one of them.”
Mr Kessler lamented the fact that Christianity didn’t receive the positive press it once enjoyed and that Christianity at times was under attack.
“I’m afraid the Almighty doesn’t get much of a mention these days,” he said.
“The old Devil is having a field day, I’m afraid.”
Around the corner at St Luke’s Anglican Church on the corner of Ruthven and Herries Sts, Easter Sunday services started early with the lighting of the New Fire and Eucharist at 5am which was followed by a celebration breakfast.
Further Easter Sunday services were held at 8am and 10am, the latter led by Retired Bishop Clyde Wood and Reverend Malcolm Twine.