“THE real meaning of Easter” was proclaimed in Ipswich as part of a “fun day” on Easter Monday, April 9.
Queens Park in Ipswich Central was the venue for the event – the 20th of its kind for the city – gathering more than 15,000 people, as part of an Australia-wide initiative to “reclaim Easter”.
“The aim was to tell people the real meaning of Easter,” Brisbane Catholic and event volunteer Christine Hodgkinson said.
“… It’s all about Jesus – (and) Jesus is alive.”
Christine said more than 40 activities, run by volunteers across 23 churches, focused on the message of the hope of Jesus’ Resurrection.
“Volunteers gathered for prayer at the beginning of the day,” she said.
“Then they went off to their activities ready for the crowd.”
Food and rides were offered at no cost, sponsored by local businesses.
Paul Hodgkinson, a long-time story telling volunteer for the event, said “the presence of God was there” and it impacted on the “un-churched”.
“We are the Church and (through us) un-churched people get a taste of Christian unity and the power of Jesus,” he said.
“The Spirit of the Lord was evident by the vibrant love, joy and peace expressed by all.”
