St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Manteca observed Good Friday in a solemn service that was repeated in other Catholic churches throughout the world. It did not have the extreme drama that took place in the Philippines, with devotees allowing themselves to be nailed on a cross, but the roughly two-hour worship was just as solemn and meditative.

Father Dante Dammay, parochial vicar, led the service which included scripture readings, the veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion. Assisting Father Dammay were church pastor, Father Patrick Walker, and Deacon Jeff Veirra who also delivered the homily. His message centered on the example of “self-sacrificing love” that was “proven by Christ on the cross” – a love that is “total, personal and eternal.”

It is a love that allows one to “forgive someone who does not deserve to be forgiven,” and “to reach out to someone who does not know Christ,” he said.

Preceding the official Good Friday service was the hour-long annual presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross by the eighth graders of St. Anthony of Padua School. During both solemn events, an offering was taken with all the funds going to help the Christians living in the Holy Land. This offering is also part of the annual Good Friday services.

The Paschal Triduum, the liturgical season that concludes Lent, which started with the Washing of the Feet service on Thursday then continued on to Good Friday and Holy Saturday and concluding on Easter Sunday, marks the most significant events of Holy Week. This evening starting at 8 o’clock, the new fire will be lighted at the start of the Easter Vigil service which will include the baptism and confirmation of new members of the church. There will be no 5 p.m. Mass. Sunday Easter services will be held at the regular Sunday schedule: 7, 8:45, and 10:45 a.m. in English, 12:30 in Spanish, and the youth teen Mass at 6 p.m.