Churches across the diocese celebrate Holy Week 2024

St Philip's, Cedar (Nanaimo) sunrise service with Cedar United Church at Blue Heron Park. Photo by Elizabeth Razzo.
By 
 on June 4, 2024

Below is a selection of photos from the Holy Week 2024 events and celebrations held by churches across the diocese.

Cowichan/Mid-Vancouver Island

St Michael and All Angels, Chemainus parishioner brings family’s lamb cake tradition to the island

Words by Jodie Phillips

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In 2017, while visiting my mom in Chicago and looking in her pantry, I discovered a two-piece cake mould. I recalled the years, as a child, when mom’s coconut and candy decorated lamb cake delightfully accented the dessert table at Grandma Emily’s Easter brunches.

Our family originated from Guardiagrele, Italy. The lamb cake tradition began in Poland and other European countries. The cake represents spring, purity and the precious Lamb of God. The lambs were placed on church altars among Easter baskets filled with fruits and bread, to be blessed during the Easter Sunday service.

Mom trusted me to retain our family traditions, even in Canada. In 2017, I married and moved to Chemainus. As time went on, at St Michael and All Angels I noticed “real bakers” gave their best, and from scratch. I quickly learned that this lamb cake deserved more prominence.

One day, a cousin sent our Italian family’s pound cake recipe. Perfect! Loaded with eggs, it is enhanced by almond and buttery icing, fruit and a satin bow. The lamb decor is complete with a bell and colourful jelly beans.

The “dainty” pound cake desserts fed a full house of parishioners after glorious Easter worship. Over 50 parishioners awaited with joy, sharing a sweet slice of tradition with their coffee, tea and precious church family. I am grateful and blessed to share this “made with love” tradition.

Western, Peninsula, Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria

Mid-North Island

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  • Naomi Racz

    Naomi is the editor of Faith Tides and writes creative non-fiction with a focus on nature, the environment, sense of place and parenting.

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