Holy Week 2024 pilgrimage: a photo essay
Reflections
Check out Bishop John Roundhill’s Holy Week photo essay, which shows many of the people he walked, prayed and ate with during his week-long Holy Week pilgrimage, which covered over 170km across Brisbane, Redland Bay, Logan and the Gold Coast
This pilgrimage was different to previous years in two key ways. Firstly, I invited diverse inter-faith leaders who have been impacted by conflict to walk with me. Secondly, the pilgrimage was a day longer, starting on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, to give another weekend day for people to join me.
Day 1: Saturday before Palm Sunday, 23 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill leading Morning Prayer on the first day of his 2024 Walking the Walk Holy Week pilgrimage in the chapel of St Peter and St Paul’s, Gold Coast South on Saturday 23 March 2024
The start of the pilgrimage was at St Peter and St Paul’s, Gold Coast South. Like some other years I am nervous about whether people will join me. It was lovely to meet in the chapel at the church and I was amazed that so many were there on a Saturday morning to commence the pilgrimage in prayer. A large group of us left with a blessing from The Rev’d Mary-Anne Rulfs.
The Rev’d Dr Don Parker, law student and Burmese Anglican Sar Htoo and Bishop John Roundhill at St Peter’s, Southport on Saturday 23 March 2024 during Bishop John’s fourth Holy Week pilgrimage
I am just over half way through my first day’s walk. This image features law student Sar Htoo and me leaving St Peter’s, Southport after we were blessed by The Rev’d Dr Don Parker. Sar joined me at Surfers Paradise — we had recently met for the first time at St Martin’s House in the Cathedral Precinct.
I was especially keen to walk with Sar because she is a Karen from Myanmar. Many of the Karen have fled Myanmar because of religious and ethnic persecution. I wanted to hear more about what is going on there and Sar, who is the Overseas Coordinator for the Church of the Province of Myanmar, is the perfect person to talk with about how we might strengthen our links with other Southeast Asian churches. I learnt from Sar that we are so very fortunate here in Australia, while we sometimes grumble about the Anglican Church of Australia, we have much to be thankful for locally and nationally as Anglicans. I also learnt that even the darkest places of the world, the light of faith shines.
Day 2: Palm Sunday, 24 March 2024
Koda Whitney, Bishop John Roundhill and The Rev’d Stephan Prabu at St James’, Biggera Waters on Sunday 24 March 2024 during Bishop John’s fourth Holy Week pilgrimage
As on some previous walks, I spend a whole day in The Parish of Gold Coast North — it is that large. The days starts with a service at St James’, Biggera Waters. It is a joy to be there for the celebration of Palm Sunday. This photo is taken at Holy Rood, Oxenford after we walked almost 15km to get there. Walking any distances day after day is rather tough on the feet. In this photo I am sitting between Koda Whitney from The Parish of Jimboomba and The Rev’d Stephan Prabu from The Parish of Gold Coast North. Koda walked the Camino for 30 days last year and his advice to me was to let my feet get some air, so I am taking his advice. In conversations with Koda I get to hear how walking the Camino formed community — really tight, strong community. I am rather hoping this pilgrimage might build community in the same way.
St Matthew’s Church, Upper Coomera community members welcomed Bishop John Roundhill and fellow pilgrims with refreshments and encouraging conversation on Sunday 24 March 2024 during Bishop John’s Holy Week pilgrimage
I took this photo when we arrived at St Matthew’s Church, Upper Coomera at the end of the second day. It is so heartening to be welcomed by such faithful and friendly folk and to take time out to rest my feet and yarn. As I spoke with people at the end of this day, I heard about some of the challenges they face, such as frailty and rapid eyesight loss that come with age. I realise more keenly at this stop that a pilgrimage involves a team and those who offer support via hospitality are a vital part of the annual Holy Week walk. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all community members who provided me, and fellow pilgrims, with refreshments during the pilgrimage.
Day 3: Monday of Holy Week, 25 March 2024
I walked alone all Monday during Holy Week. It was a very wet day, although I had not realised how much wetter Tuesday and Wednesday were going to be. By the time I arrived at St George’s, Beenleigh, I am earlier than scheduled and I almost bump into Dr Nora Amath. Nora is planning to walk with me later in the week and we had scheduled to meet and talk at St George’s. Nora tells me her story and how she left Cambodia at three years of age, along with her family, as a refugee. They fled on foot and walked a long way through the jungle to Thailand following the Vietnam War. Her family even faced gun barrels at times. She moved to Australia from the United States as an adult after meeting an Australian man, Halim, while they were studying overseas.
Such stories are immensely precious and I am honored to hear them. For the second time in 24 hours I hear the phrase “And then we walked”. It was especially poignant hearing Nora’s story while on a pilgrimage during Holy Week. In this photo we are with The Rev’d Alan Moore who has been serving as the locum priest at St George’s.
Bishop John Roundhill, Director of Islamic Relief (a UNICEF Australia partner) and former refugee Dr Nora Amath and The Rev’d Alan Moore at St George’s Church, Beenleigh on Monday 25 March 2024 during Bishop John’s fourth annual Holy Week pilgrimage
I walked alone all Monday during Holy Week. It was a very wet day, although I had not realised how much wetter Tuesday and Wednesday were going to be. By the time I arrived at St George’s, Beenleigh, I am earlier than scheduled and I almost bump into Dr Nora Amath. Nora is planning to walk with me later in the week and we had scheduled to meet and talk at St George’s. Nora tells me her story and how she left Cambodia at three years of age, along with her family, as a refugee. They fled on foot and walked a long way through the jungle to Thailand following the Vietnam War. Her family even faced gun barrels at times. She moved to Australia from the United States as an adult after meeting an Australian man, Halim, while they were studying overseas.
Such stories are immensely precious and I am honored to hear them. For the second time in 24 hours I hear the phrase “And then we walked”. It was especially poignant hearing Nora’s story while on a pilgrimage during Holy Week. In this photo we are with The Rev’d Alan Moore who has been serving as the locum priest at St George’s.
Day 4: Tuesday of Holy Week, 26 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill and The Rev’d Danni Clark at All Saints’, Redland Bay on the wettest day of Bishop John’s 2024 Holy Week pilgrimage
Tuesday was perhaps the wettest walk I have ever experienced, which is saying a lot given I have lived in Hong Kong. I left Beenleigh after Morning Prayer and stepped my way through puddles and walked along the M1 on an approved path. The rain was such that I could not keep anything dry. The phone I was using to help guide me (via Google Maps) started misbehaving as the fat raindrops were more like finger touches on the screen. I was feeling somewhat down. At some point I looked again at my phone and saw that Frances was quite near me (we share our locations on Google Maps). “Ah-ha,” I thought, “Frances has seen the rain and come to help me.” But at that moment I realised that Frances was at work at MacKenzie State Special School and that I had veered about 5km off the track I was meant to walk. I then had to turn back and walk back down the M1.
I subsequently rejigged the day’s route because I was now hours off my timetable and thoroughly wet. I had planned to walk to St Paul’s, Cleveland, but I cut that short and walked to All Saints’, Redland Bay where there was the most wonderful welcome party. They could not have known the miserable adventure I had been on, so it was just a lovely moment to be welcomed there and given new socks to boot!
Day 5: Wednesday of Holy Week, 27 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill with Justice Unit coordinator Peter Branjerdporn and churchwarden Tommy Stewart at St John’s, Wishart on the Wednesday of Bishop John’s 2024 Holy Week pilgrimage
Wednesday was perhaps one the wettest days of the pilgrimage. I was very fortunate to be joined by our Justice Unit coordinator, Peter Branjerdporn, from Alexandra Hills to Wishart. The above photo was taken when we arrived at Wishart and were warmly greeted by churchwarden Tommy Stewart. After this long, wet walk, Peter got out his camera to film my Good Friday video message. Tommy served as an additional camera operator.
Walking with Peter was great fun, despite the rain, as we could talk happily about almost anything. Peter completed his walk at Wishart and I walked in improving weather to Mt Gravatt.
The Rev’d Lyn Kareta, The Rev’d Michael Stalley and parish administrator Susan Pietsch at St Bart’s, Mt Gravatt on Wednesday 27 March 2024 during Bishop John’s Holy Week pilgrimage
At St Bart’s, Mt Gravatt I was welcomed by the lovely team, including The Rev’d Michael Stalley. I arrived very tired and very wet, but very happy.
Day 6: Maundy Thursday, 28 March 2024
The Rev’d Lyn Kareta, The Rev’d Michael Stalley, The Rev’d Nic Denny-Dimitriou, The Rev’d Iain Moore and lay Anglican community members joined Bishop John Roundhill at St Bart’s, Mt Gravatt on the first leg of his Maundy Thursday 2024 Holy Week pilgrimage
It was lovely to start the day in sunshine at St Bart’s, Mt Gravatt with a good-sized group, including four clergy from three parishes. This was a day with frequent stops. At each place I offered a prayer for peace and I also continued to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and paid my respects to their elders.
Bishop John Roundhill, The Rev’d Iain Moore, The Rev’d Rebecca and lay Anglican community members at St Matthew’s, Sherwood on Maundy Thursday during Bishop John’s 2024 Holy Week pilgrimage
I so valued being joined by The Rev’d Rebecca and Parish of Yeronga community members. We all walked together in the surprising midday heat to St Matthew’s, Sherwood where we had another fantastic lunch. Walking that 5km stretch gave us ample opportunity to talk. I was struck by the courage and humility of those who shared their stories, especially Rebecca who has shared with anglican focus readers about the impacts of the ongoing war in Sudan. I was struck that walking 5km in the warmth and safety of a Brisbane afternoon is a privilege. Many others have to walk without safety, comfort or food, including people in Sudan whom Rebecca shared about.
Day 7: Good Friday, 29 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill gathered with a large group of worshippers and fellow pilgrims at Christ Church, St Lucia, including The Rev’d Shane Hubner, The Rev’d Sue Grimmett, The Rev’d Jazz Dow, The Rev’d Samuel Dow and lay community members, including ACSQ General Manager Tim Reid, during his 2024 Good Friday walk
It was a good day for a walk. The plan for the day included being with three churches for Good Friday services. Each of these gatherings were profound acts of worship and it was good to see churches busy and full on this day. Upon arrival at Christ Church, St Lucia we joined in the fellowship gathering that followed the all-age service.
Bishop John Roundhill, Synod Rep and Churchwarden for The Parish of Ithaca-Red Hill Duncan Unwin, Churchie graduate The Rev’d Martin Arnold from the Ukrainian Catholic Church, The Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner and lay community members at Holy Trinity, Woolloongabba on Good Friday during Bishop John’s 2024 pilgrimage walk
We then walked on to St Philip’s, Annerley. Ukrainian Catholic priest The Rev’d Martin Arnold walked in thongs because he “likes to wiggle his toes and let them breathe” and because “living simply appeals to him as a response to the call to ‘live simply that all may simply live’”. He recalled how much Brisbane has changed since he grew up here as a boy. The invasion of Ukraine was too painful to talk about.
Bishop John Roundhill was joined by wife, Frances Thompson, and their beloved Spoodle, Poppy, Br Donald Campbell (Archdeacon of Moreton), The Rev’d Chris Tyack, Br Antony and lay community members at St Philip’s, Annerley on Good Friday in 2024
Our group joined in with the afternoon worship at St Andrew’s, South Brisbane before walking the pleasantly short stroll to Holy Trinity, Woolloongabba where we had afternoon tea. Let no one say that we were not well fed! At Annerley I was joined by members of my family, including my wife, Frances, and our dog, Poppy.
One of the issues I had to think about before undertaking this walk, was that for other folk Easter is a time of family reunions. My own family have been used to me being absent at Christmas and Easter (worn out after leading worship), so I was delighted that members of my family walked with me from St Phillip’s.
Bishop John Roundhill, wife Frances Thompson and fellow pilgrims were welcomed by The Rev’d Catherine Govan, The Rev’d Kesh Govan, their daughters and other St Stephen’s, Coorparoo community members on Good Friday during Bishop John’s 2024 pilgrimage walk
The last leg of Good Friday’s walk was to St Stephen’s, Coorparoo where we were met by a wonderful welcoming party and a meal of baked salmon. What a way to end Good Friday!
Day 8: Holy Saturday / Easter Eve, 30 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill with St Paul’s, East Brisbane Synod Rep Michael Willis, Andrew Rankin (Chancellor of Rockhampton) and The Rev’d Canon Nicole Colledge outside St Paul’s, East Brisbane on Holy Saturday during Bishop John’s 2024 pilgrimage walk
This was the final day of walking for this pilgrimage. A gentle 15km walk from St Stephen’s, Coorparoo to St Mary’s, Bardon. The weather was good once again and I was joined by a great band of walkers.
Bishop John Roundhill with Majid Khan and wife Fozia Yaqoob (when Lent and Ramadan intersected) on Holy Saturday in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Milton during Bishop John’s 2024 pilgrimage walk
At St Paul’s, East Brisbane we were also joined by Majid Khan, a Queensland Muslims Inc community engagement person (our Diocese is connected to Queensland Muslims Inc through the Queensland Faith Communities Council and Queensland Community Alliance). As we walked together to St Mary’s, Kangaroo Point and then on to St John’s Cathedral, Majid and I chatted about the unfolding genocide in Gaza. Majid then continued the walk to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Milton where I also met Majid’s wife Fozia Yaqoob — Fozia is a dentist who has been caring for the dental needs of families fleeing Gaza. It was Ramadan at this time and whilst I had continued to be watered and fed along the way, Majid and Fozia were observing Ramadan by fasting from all food and water from sun-up to sun-down.
Bishop John Roundhill was joined by Archbishop Jeremy and border collie Paddy, Aunty Dr Rose Elu, The Rev’d Nicki Colledge, The Rev’d Canon Selina McMahon, The Rev’d Dr Gemma Dashwood and other community members on Easter Eve during his 2024 Holy Week pilgrimage
At St John’s Cathedral we were joined by Archbishop Jeremy and Josie Greaves and their border collie Paddy, along with Aunty Dr Rose Elu and a whole host of other clergy and lay community members. We enjoyed well-prepared refreshments at the Cathedral and reflected on the legacy of Traditional Custodians, including important elders like Aunty Dr Rose Elu, who is a chief’s daughter from the crocodile clan on the island of Saibai.
Bishop John Roundhill enjoying a break after a long day’s walk on Easter Eve during his Holy Week 2024 pilgrimage, with Martin and Lisa McKern, The Rev’d Canon Nicki Colledge, The Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner and her husband Lindsay and their children
The final leg of the walk was to St Mary’s, Bardon where there was afternoon tea for the walkers. At this point I had been joined by friends from my local “parkrun”. By the end of the walk 10 of us arrived at St Mary’s. The folk at St Mary’s were readying the Church for Easter Day, it felt like the perfect end to a good walk.
Day 9: Easter Day, 31 March 2024
Bishop John Roundhill and spouse Frances Thompson with the McDermid family at St Mary’s, Bardon on Easter Day 2024
While my walk officially finished on Easter Eve, the pilgrimage was “completed” with a Sunday service at St Mary’s, Bardon where I met up with the McDermid family, whom I had known well while serving as rector of The Parish of Aspley-Albany Creek.
Final reflection
As the pilgrimage moved on day by day and the weather got better, I was struck by the fact that we live in this most extraordinary place, a place of beauty and peace. Yet as I walked, I was also struck by how many of us carry great trauma from our experiences elsewhere or from our pasts. It is my personal commitment to work towards justice and reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There is something deeply unsettling that for many of the people I walked with for whom Australia is a last refuge of peace, but for others it is a place of historic trauma and displacement.
One of the most curious moments in the walk was on the Saturday morning when I was doing parkrun in addition to the pilgrimage. I had been working on reaching my 250th parkrun in tandem with some friends and I needed to complete a parkrun on that day. While doing the parkrun, I simultaneously did a live broadcast for ABC’s Saturday Morning radio programme about Easter and what I hoped to achieve by walking.
Editor’s note: Visit Bishop John Roundhill’s Walking the Walk 2024 blog to see his complete pilgrimage itinerary.
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