THE organisers of Easterfest are in discussions with Toowoomba diocese to try and incorporate them into the festival program next year, according to director Dave Schenk.
“I’ve been talking to the new bishop (Robert McGuckin), and he, and we, will eventually find the right thing to include St Patrick’s Cathedral, hopefully as part of the ‘Gospel in the Chapel’ program next year,” Mr Schenk said.
Mr Schenk said he was keen to work closely with Bishop McGuckin to accommodate for the Catholics who attended the festival.
In 2011, Easterfest reserved one section of their camping grounds just for Catholics, called Catholic Camp, but no plans were made to continue it in later festivals.
However, Mr Schenk said there were definite plans and discussions to do things in the future.
He emphasised how important it was that all Christian denominations feel comfortable and welcome at Easterfest, itself a non-denomination festival, given each denomination had its own way of celebrating Easter.
Sarah de Byl was appointed this month as the youth ministry co-ordinator for the Toowoomba diocese, and hoped to organise a Mass close to Queen’s Park, where the festival was being held.
“As I am only new to the job I have not had much time to organise and the people who I would like to involve are already booked for this Easter,” she said.
“Something I would like to organize for next year is Mass and reconciliation at St Theresa’s, because it’s walking distance from Queen’s Park.
“It will also be nice to have reconciliation somewhere a little quieter, and just to create a space of our own as well.”
Brisbane Catholic musician Joey Hizon will perform at his second Easterfest this year with his group Joey Hizon Project.
Joey said it was difficult for Catholics to uphold their liturgical obligations at the festival.
He said he would support any initiatives to make it easier for Catholics to celebrate Easter in the Catholic tradition, and also encourage more Catholics to attend.
“Last year it was really hard, because there was no Catholic Camp, so I missed a bit of the festival so I could get to Mass,” he said.
“Generally, you don’t see a lot of Catholics, except when there was Catholic Camp.”
To find out Mass times for Easter in Toowoomba diocese parishes, visit www.twb.catholic.org.au
For more details about Easterfest, or to purchase a ticket, visit www.easterfest.com
