Fr David Ho addressing the congregation at the amphitheatre prior to the procession to the church for the Palm Sunday mass on Sunday.
KAPIT: More than 1,000 parishioners of St. Mary Immaculate Conception Church here attended the Palm Sunday mass on April 13.
The mass began at 7.30am at the amphitheatre located below the church for the blessing of the palms by parish priest Fr David Ho.
After the opening prayer and blessing of the palms, the congregation walked in a procession to the church for the Palm Sunday mass.
In his message to the congregation, Fr David Ho said the palm serves as a symbol to welcome Jesus, just like what was done before his death by crucifixion some 2,014 years ago.
In conjunction with the Easter Week, he said several activities would be held until Easter Day, which includes a Holy Thursday Mass on April 17 at 7.30pm after which the ‘Washing Of The Feet’ would be held followed by the Easter Vigil until midnight.
He also said the Good Friday mass would be held at 3pm on April 18 and the Holy Saturday Mass would be held at 7.30pm on April 19, during which baptism for new Catholics would be held.
“The climax of the Holy Week activity is the Easter Sunday and the mass begins as usual at 8am. I hope the congregation can come early,” he said.
The parish priest also called on the Catholic faithful here to take part in all the Holy Week activities to make it truly a holy week.
He reminded those yet to come for confession to do so on Good Friday (April 18) and Holy Saturday (April 19) from 9 to 11am.
He told the congregation that he would be outstation throughout the Holy Week celebration and the masses would be conducted by a visiting priest, Fr Alexander Ravi.
Among the parishioners attending the mass were Parish Council chairman David Chuo, Marian Guild chairperson Agnes Jemat, catechists Kenneth Kanyan and Edward Antas and members of the Parish Council, Marian Guild and Chinese Pastoral Group.