For the first time, Catholics from three Illawarra parishes will join to mark the death of Christ at the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
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An outdoor service will be held at 10am at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, where Bishop Peter Ingham plans to lead the flock in prayer to the backdrop of a mural on the life of Jesus, painted by St Mary Star of the Sea College students.
Parishioners from Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, Balgownie and Gwynneville will follow a procession through each of the 14 stations. Twelve crosses have been made and fixed into the ground.
The stations include Jesus's multiple falls while carrying the cross, an encounter between Jesus and his mother and the crucifixion.
Bishop Ingham said he expected a large crowd. "People identify with Good Friday and they want to do some devotional act to commemorate the death of Christ."
Other Christian communities will gather in their own acts of devotion, while Buddhists organise Buddha's birthday at the Nan Tien Temple.
■ EASTER SERVICE TIMES
St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Wollongong
Thursday: 7.30pm - Mass
Friday: 10am - Stations of the Cross
Saturday: 7.30pm - Easter Vigil Mass
Sunday: 7am, 10.30am and 5pm - Mass
St Michael's Anglican Cathedral
Thursday: 7.30pm - Holy Communion
Friday: 8am - Traditional Service, 10am - Family Service
Sunday: 8am - Holy Communion, 10am and 5pm - Family Service, 7pm - Contemporary Service
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross
Thursday: 7pm - Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Friday: 4pm, Service of the Removal of the Body of Jesus from the Cross, 7pm - Service of the Burial of Jesus
Saturday: 6am - Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great, 11pm to 2.30am Sunday - Sunday Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy
Buddha's Birthday, Nan Tien Temple
Friday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm - Exhibitions, Calligraphy, Arts and Craft, Vegetarian Food Fair, 12.30pm - Children's Buddha's Birthday Party (booking required), 11am to 3pm - Buddha's Birthday Education Project
■ SHOPPING
Wollongong Central
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 9am to 4pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: 10am to 4pm
Stockland Shellharbour
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 9am to 4pm
Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Monday: 10am to 4pm