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Following in the footsteps of Jesus

Easter often conjures up the image of bunnies, eggs, springtime, and a host of other secular celebrations, and likewise Good Friday for many means simply an extra day off.
Rebecca Skuban (front) with her sister Emma bear the weight of the cross on Good Friday for the St. Mary Catholic Church’s annual Way of the Cross walk. About 25 parishioners
Rebecca Skuban (front) with her sister Emma bear the weight of the cross on Good Friday for the St. Mary Catholic Church’s annual Way of the Cross walk. About 25 parishioners battled through the snow for nearly three hours to pray and visit the 14 stations of the cross around town.

Easter often conjures up the image of bunnies, eggs, springtime, and a host of other secular celebrations, and likewise Good Friday for many means simply an extra day off.

But for a group of Westlock area residents, however, Good Friday is a sombre day of self-reflection and prayer.

About 50 people took part in an ecumenical (inter-denominational) “Walk of the Cross,” and made 14 stops commemorating significant milestones in Jesus Christ’s last days — from Jesus learning of his impending death to his body being placed in the tomb, from which he is said to have resurrected three days later, on Easter.

They began and ended at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Westlock, with many taking turns carrying a large wooden cross. Father Sabinus Iwu carried the cross for the last leg of the journey.

He said the walk is mainly about identifying with the suffering of Christ, and by extension identifying with the suffering of all humans on the Earth.

“You have to use this opportunity to identify with the Lord, to pray more, to meditate more, and to think about not only the suffering of Jesus but also our brothers and sisters all over the world,” he said.

He added the fact the Catholics stand side by side with Anglicans and Protestants is a sign that all groups recognize they are essentially all part of the same religion.

“Christ founded only one Christian group. It’s because of human issues that you have diversified groups of Christians today,” Iwu said. “This (walk) is a sign that we are all one in Christ.”

Amelia Drake, despite having relatively limited mobility, said she thinks it’s important to come out to walk.

“Jesus carried the cross on Good Friday, and this is sort of a re-enactment,” she said. “I do it because Jesus did it, but he was forced to do it.”

She said she, like the other participants, use the opportunity to reflect, meditate and pray.

“We don’t talk, we just sing and walk,” she said. “It’s very much a spiritual trip, I think for everybody.”

Drake, a self-identified Catholic, has been participating in the walk for many years, and this year she brought a friend with her.

Violet Hammett, a self-identified Protestant, participated in the walk for the first time.

“I came because I’m a Christian, and because my friend invited me,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful that all denominations get together.”

“Jesus said we should be one, and I think a lot of people miss that,” Drake added.

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