MEDIA RELEASE

Palm leaves and incense to bring Parramatta CBD to halt
2015 Palm Sunday Procession. Image: Alphonsus Fok

Media Release – 04032016 – PALM LEAVES AND INCENSE TO BRING PARRAMATTA CBD TO HALT

The Parramatta CBD will come to a standstill 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 5.00pm Sunday 20 March at Parramatta Town Hall and conclude with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 6pm.

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. An event after our 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

Media inquiries – Joseph Younes, Director of Communications, (02) 8838 3435, 0416 619 500, JYounes@parra.catholic.org.au

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Palm Sunday 2015 Procession down Church Street, Parramatta. Image: Alphonsus Fok

About the Diocese of Parramatta

The Diocese of Parramatta is the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

It spans one of the fastest-growing areas of Australia, incorporating the greater Western Sydney area from Parramatta to Blackheath and from Richmond to Warragamba. It is home to 330,000 Catholics in an area of 1,050,000 people.

The Diocese hosts 47 parishes and churches, educates more than 45,000 students across its 83 schools, employs more than 5,000 staff and cares for thousands of people in need through its social services arm, CatholicCare Social Services.

The Diocese of Parramatta is the fifth-largest Catholic Diocese in Australia.

Media Release – 04032016 – PALM LEAVES AND INCENSE TO BRING PARRAMATTA CBD TO HALT

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