By Pauline Chang
MIRI — On the mid-morning of Palm Sunday, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation at the St Joseph (English) Sunday School. Thirty-three students from Level 6 to Level 8 classes, with their teachers had gathered and were preparing to bring to life the Stations of the Cross. The Way of the Cross would be walked in the light of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical.
This was also the children’s contribution to help raise awareness for the ecological issues plaguing our Common Home today, as part of the Sunday School’s Lenten observance activity.
At 10.30 am, the younger children filed into the hall, waving their palms singing “Hosanna”. Parents and guardians were invited to pray together with the children. Fr Gabriel Chiong also came to participate in the event and to give spiritual encouragement.
In line with the call of Laudato Si’ for ecological conversion, all costumes and props were made from discarded or leftover materials such as cardboards, boxes, newspapers, curtains, blankets, and old clothes. Clothing apparels were also borrowed from teachers and parents. The life-sized cross was made from leftover pieces of wood from a furniture shop.
As the children walked the 14 stations following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus on his way to Calvary, the events of Good Friday were brought home to the children. How our Lord Jesus suffered and died for us is no longer just another story in the bible.