Lenten tableaus unite communities

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By ROWENA OREJANA
The last couple of years had been a personal journey of the cross for former businesswoman Margaret Everett.
So this year, she thought it fitting to organise the Lenten Tableaus 14 Steps to Golgotha.
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“I had lung cancer in 2014 and closed the business. After having half of my left lung removed and recuperated It was a leap of faith and a personal journey of the cross,” she said.
“I organised this tableau with encouragement from Fr Bill Fletcher, trusting God I’d be well enough to see it through. Thankfully, the supportive community ran with the vision,” she added.
At least 10 people made the commitment over Lent to explore the meaning of each station. Simon of Cyrene was played by one person from the community the tableau was presented at.
For the group, it was a sacrifice for Lent.
“This year was special as it was The Year of Mercy and our narration and meditation with every Station reflected that,” she added.
They staged the tableaus atthe Palm Sunday Mass held at the Senior Citizens Hall in Mangawhai. They also presented to the Maungaturoto Community on March 23 and at St Mary’s Church Wellsford on Good Friday prior to the Veneration of the Cross.
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“The devotional exercise received positive feedback both from the participants and the audience: congregation. Many were deeply moved,” she said.
She added the tableaus , which she directed, were also aimed at building community.
“This was achieved. People from each church community took part in some way as narrator or as actors. We got to know each other better,” she said.
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The main cast included Mike Schmanski (Jesus), Teresa Hallisey (Mary), Ester Rees (Veronica), Pamela Downes (Woman of Jerusalem), Mike Lean and John Reynolds (soldiers). The narrators were Jenny MacKinnon,Peter Jackson and Dave Walters.
Ann Jackson was the soloist while Helen Reynolds provided technical support.
“We hope to do it again next year. If I can’t direct it there are written direction notes so that others can easily pick them up and run with it,” she said.

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Rowena Orejana

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