To commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and observe Holy Week, Cochrane Ministerial will be hosting their annual Walking of the Cross on Good Friday.
On Mar. 29 at 10 a.m., participants can gather on the corner of 1st Ave, just of Centre Ave, near the ongoing construction to take part in the procession.
Pastor Mattew Butler with the King’s Gate Church, said this year’s route will take the congregation through historic downtown to the Cochrane Cenotaph, located near the Legion.
“We’ll walk down 1st Ave., then we walk along 1st St. until we get to 4th Ave.,” he explained. “Then we go in the back way to the Cenotaph, and we do Station of the Cross all along the way.”
Although he doesn’t recall the exact number of years this has been held in town, he said this event always serves as great way for the community to celebrate and worship together.
“We never fully know what we’re going to see, but it’s a great time for different church communities to come, and just celebrate and worship together.
“And to remember the reason we believe, our faith, and the belief in Jesus Christ.”
With a sizable number of members participating in last year’s ceremony, Butler said he hopes to see Cochranites partaking in this year’s walk.
“We’re hoping to see as many people out as possible,” he said. “I think last year was a record breaking one, so I don’t have my hopes that high [for] doing as well as last year. But I would love to see lots and lots of people turn out.”
The Walking of the Cross is an effort by the Cochrane Ministerial, where all the churches in Cochrane meet for a variety of reasons.
“But we also plan this event as part of what we do, so that there’s a representation from all the churches,” Butler said. “So, I would say that of the major churches in town, we’re all represented in this.”
Overall, Butler hopes to see parishioners take part in this year’s Walking of the Cross, and celebrate Good Friday with fellow believers.
“I’m just hoping to see people come out, be excited, and to just remember our Lord and Saviour,” Butler said. “And to make a display to our community about what we believe, and I’m hoping people in our community will be impacted to ask questions about why we believe what we believe in, and who Jesus is.”
As the size of their group has a heavy impact on Main Street, Butler outlines that they are aware of the impact they may have during the Walking of the Cross, and thanks the community for their understanding.
“We are aware that sometime it’s an inconvenience for people, but we are thankful to the people of Cochrane that they respect us and give us this opportunity to do this act of worship,” Butler said.
Butler said he would like to give the Cochrane Alliance Church a special thanks for providing programs for the ceremony, and to Pastor Bart Eriksson of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for his leadership on the project.
