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Remember - Relive - Renew YOUTH WAY OF THE CROSS Peterborough |
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Way of the Cross: A Behind the Scenes Look By: Stephen Decarlo
On March 21st, 2008, the 4th annual outdoor Way of the Cross was held in the streets of downtown Peterborough. The previous year’s event was forced to be held inside the Cathedral itself due to unusually freezing temperatures. However this year’s event still processed outdoors despite the somewhat chilly temperatures.
The practices for the Way of the Cross were held in various locations such as Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception Church, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and Wayside Academy. As well, two practices were held at John Vandersanden’s home in Courtice in order for the soldiers and Jesus to practice using the big cross which was used for the final Stations. John is the carpenter who helped create the cross used in the final Stations. The soldiers learned how to operate the various pulleys and ropes and other mechanical devices of the cross. Lunch was provided by the Vandersanden’s for the first practice and for the second practice, lunch was generously provided by Paul and Bernadette Spicer, also of Courtice. A fun karaoke session was also held at their home following one of the practices. Thank you to both the Vandersanden and Spicer families for all of your generous hospitality. Anyone who attended this year’s event may have noticed that the soldiers were quite professional and authentic for their role. The reason for this was that they had actually received real soldier training delivered by Vince Hickey. Vince Hickey is a Corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces. This meant that he taught the soldiers how to behave like a real Roman soldier, teaching them how to look, act, think, and march as if they were an actual member of the Roman Legion. The end result was fantastic! Their performance made it felt as if it was 100 B.C. all over again! Thank you very much Vince for your lending your expertise for this re-creation. Although the procession was held outside, it was not exactly a very warm day. In anticipation of the cooler temperatures adjustments to costumes had to be made. This meant that the actors had to wear more than their rather thinly layered costumes. The actors had to multilayer their clothing under their costumes in a way that did not detract from the way it was supposed to look. Although sandals were originally requested, these had to be forgone in favor of warmer footwear such as black or brown shoes. Many actors wore hats underneath any head-covering they were wearing. The soldiers were provided with a warm, heavy cloak which did in fact give off a very authentic look for them. As for Jesus, Raymond had to wear a flesh colored bodysuit similar to the ones that figure skaters wear under their clothing to keep warm. This indeed did keep Raymond warm for the procession down Hunter Street, and he removed it once the final stations were held in Immaculate Conception Church. After successfully starting the re-creation inside the Cathedral, it moved outside into the street and down Hunter Street. It was wonderful to have so many people join us for the moving re-enactment. It was also great to see people waiting outside stores and at stoplights to see what was happening. I even saw a few families perched out on their balconies to view the procession as it passed by. Bishop Nicola DeAngelis, as in previous years, also joined in the procession, despite the cold temperatures. He wore a very warm, purple cope that was once owned by former bishop of Peterborough Francis Morrocco. After the event, he thanked the participants for their efforts in the re-enactment. For me, playing a high priest in this, being a part of the Way of the Cross was an enjoyable and very spiritual experience for me. I loved every part of it, and my only disappointment was that it eventually had to end. I thank God for giving everyone involved a chance to put on this re-enactment for the city of Peterborough. Thank you to all the participants who generously lent their time and energy into this event. Thank you to all those who worked behind the scenes, your great efforts are very much appreciated. Thank you for the City of Peterborough for allowing us to present this event in the downtown. Thank you to all the support personnel such as the police escorts, fire, and ambulance. A special word of thanks goes out to Father Norbert, whose hard work and great dedication to this event was very evident. And a special thank you goes out to Almighty God, who has willed the blessing of the Way of the Cross to happen.
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Peterborough ON – Good Friday March 21st, 2008 will bring the youth of the diocese of Peterborough out into the streets as they perform an outdoor re-enactment of the Way of the Cross. The 4th annual, 14 station event organized by the Catholic Youth Office will be a unique opportunity and experience for those young and old. The Way of the Cross will begin with a prayer service at St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral located on the corner of Hunter and Reid Street at 10am. Following this service the procession will travel west across Hunter Street entering East City to Rogers Street where it will end in front of Immaculate Conception Church. At each intersection the procession will stop for a station with the last four stations being observed on the steps of Immaculate Conception Church. With the assistance of many volunteers and the escort of City Police the procession is expected to run again as smoothly as in 2005 and 2006. Last year over 50 youth and young adults participated as actors in the event and over 600 onlookers packed into the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains to watch the re-enactment. Extreme temperatures forced the production inside for the first time since its inception in 2005. The Way of the Cross is intended to be performed through the streets of Peterborough however should inclement weather strike again, the production will yet be re-routed to the interior of St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral. The script for the Stations was written by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 while he was Cardinal and Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Following the Way of the Cross, in observation of Lent, refreshments and a light snack will be served in the hall of Immaculate Conception Church. “The Way of the Cross is truly a very exciting project for the Youth Office and the great thing about it is that it was the young people themselves who came up with the idea,” states Fr. Norbert Glasmacher, Director of the Vocations, Evangelization and Youth Office. “They’re amazing theses young people. One-by-one they have a lesson of discipleship,” praises Bishop Nicola De Angelis. The public is asked to join the young people this Good Friday, March 21st to commemorate the Passion of Our Lord in a new way. For more information please contact the VEYO Centre at (705)749-0330 Contact: Fr. Norbert Glasmacher
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Information on "Way of the Cross 2007" April 6, 2007 For more information please contact the VEYO Office at
705-749-0330 or cell 705-768-VEYO(8396) Original Event March 25 2005 Information is available :: here ::
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The Way of the Cross, initiated by the youth of the Diocese of Peterborough, is a re-enactment of Christ’s Passion through streets of Peterborough on Good Friday. Most of the youth signed up as actors during the end of the JP II Retreat held in early January, while others signed up for their roles in the weeks to follow. Roles included soldiers, high priests, women of Jerusalem, Mary Magdalene, St. John, St Veronica, etc. This year’s Jesus was played by Raymond Vanboekel. However, while he did not originally sign up for this role, through Divine Providence, Raymond volunteered to switch from his original role as soldier to portray our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in this year’s production.
