St. Anthony’s Parish in Drumheller is hosting the Drumheller Passion Pilgrimage and has invited everyone to a special event on July 20. At 10 a.m. there will be a mass at the Passion Play Amphitheatre said by Bishop Henry, followed by a barbecue and then the production of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play.
Catholics from across the province will be coming to Drumheller this summer for a special event at the Passion Play site.
St. Anthony’s Parish in Drumheller is hosting the Drumheller Passion Pilgrimage and is inviting members of the Calgary Diocese to the Passion Play for mass, a picnic and then the famous production of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play. Bishop Fred Henry will be leading mass.
“It is going to be a great time, we are looking forward to it,” said Deacon Gary Haney, of St. Anthony’s Parish who is organizing the event.
“It is hosted by St. Anthony’s in Drumheller and we just decided we needed to do something for the community to bring people together. There is local community at the parish, then there is the diocese and there is the world community, everyone outside the actual church because we invite everybody.”
“You don’t have to be Catholic to come to mass. If you ever want to see what one is like it will be at the Passion Play site.”
He said the local Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League will be helping out during the event with the picnic barbecue. The youth group is also helping out. Deacon Haney said the Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle is offering childcare during the play.
“The Passion Play has been well involved with us too,” said Haney.
The Drumheller Passion Pilgrimage is on Sunday, July 20. Mass is at 10 a.m. Following mass there will be a barbecue picnic at the tent area north of the amphitheatre. A free will offering is taken.
During the picnic there will be a shuttle bus that will take those who wish, to St. Anthony’s Church to visit The Man of the Shroud exhibit, with a full sized replica of the Shroud of Turin, as well as other artifacts.
After that the Passion Play takes to the stage at 3 p.m.
So far he says it looks like there will be a good crowd for the event.
“It looks like a lot of people are coming in. Many have bought tickets directly through us, we have a special group area in the Passion Play for this. We have also had people out selling tickets at parishes,” he said.
The last time Bishop Henry was in Drumheller was for the opening and blessing of the new St. Anthony’s school.
