 | Our Lady of Victories Catholic Parish Horsley Park Celebrating Community |
SOME QUESTIONS STUDENTS ASK US ABOUT THE CHURCH
1. What features of the church show religious significance to Christianity?
In the church there are a number of features with religious significance to Christianity. The main ones are the altar, the baptistery, the tabernacle and the crucifix.
The ALTAR is the place where Eucharist is celebrated - it is in the shape of a table and is placed in a central place in the church building.
The BAPTISTERY (baptism font) is the place where new members are welcomed into the Church community. Baptism is celebrated by pouring water in the head of the person being baptised or by immersing / plunging the child into the water. In the Early Church, people actually went under the water. Water also signifies the life of the Church through Christ.
The TABERNACLE is the place where the Eucharist is kept. During the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) some Eucharist is left over. This is kept in a safe place, for the sick and for the adoration by the members of the Church.
Each Church has a CROSS, usually a Crucifix (with the image of Jesus crucified). This reminds us of the way Christ died for us on the Cross. While the crucifix reminds us of the moment of Christ's death, the Cross (without the body) is a symbol of Jesus's life, death and resurrection. In some churches, the church is actually built in the shape of the cross.
2. What is the unique features of this church in comparison to other churches?
Our church was built in 1993 and is in the shape of the cross - cruciform. It is build of brick. One special feature is a set of eight statues which depict different moments of the way of the Cross. These statues, which were made by a Maltese artist and shipped to Australia, are taken out in procession on Good Friday. The stained glass windows are also original to our church.