Redmond Church Re-Enacts Christ’s Passion

As Holy Week continues, Catholics all over the world today celebrated Good Friday. In Central Oregon, churches observed the holiday with their own special services.

Leading up to Easter Sunday, for Catholics, Friday meant remembering Jesus’ death on the cross.

At St. Thomas Catholic Church in Redmond, parishioners celebrated in a special service which included prayer and the reading the “Passion of Christ,” a biblical account of the 14 stations Christ went through, according to John.

“Good Friday to me is a very special day,” said St. Thomas parishioner Betty Greg. “It’s the beginning of the journey of our lord into crucifixion, and later the resurrection that he died for us. And to me, it’s a very sad day in my heart.”

“Following the way of the cross, going through what Jesus went through in the Passion of Christ, it’s sort of a celebrations for us Catholics,” said Daniel Samayoa of Redmond.

While readings were given inside the church, for the first time, Hispanic parishioners re-enacted the 14 stations outside of the building.

After months of preparation, they hope to make this a special way to pray every year.

“And having such strong faith, it’s important to us, because were trying to remember what happened,” said Diana Cardona of Redmond.

While Good Friday is considered a “celebration,” church officials say it’s a somber day of fasting, penance, and remembrance.

“Because we’re reflecting Jesus’ death on the cross,” said Father Todd Unger of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Redmond.

“He’s in the tomb. Reflect more time on prayer, reflecting Jesus’ gift to us, we who are sinners — he offered his life that we may have eternal life,” said Father Unger.