A spirit of prayer, gratitude and fellowship filled the Holy Name of Mary Rydalmere Parish, as parishioners gathered to celebrate their patronal feast and mark the blessing of a new tabernacle, which creates a sacred place for Eucharistic devotion.
The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary was celebrated on Sunday 13 September, with Fr Peter Williams AM, Vicar General of the Diocese of Parramatta, as principal celebrant, and Parish Priest Fr Vincent Savarimuthu as concelebrant.
At the beginning of Mass, Fr Peter expressed his joy at joining the parish community for the occasion.
“I’m very pleased to be here this morning to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist with you, and on this particular occasion, where we will bless the new tabernacle that has been installed here in Holy Name of Mary Church,” he said.
The blessing of the new tabernacle formed a significant part of the celebration, as Fr Peter prayed that it would become a sacred place where the parish community could encounter Christ in the Eucharist.
“O Lord, we beseech you graciously pour forth from heaven your sanctifying blessing upon this tabernacle,” Fr Peter prayed.
“May it be forever a holy place to celebrate the sacrifice of your Son and to adore His real and abiding presence in His precious body and blood.”
He prayed that the tabernacle would become a place of peace, communion and grace for all who entered the church.
“May all who come to this church receive the welcome of the open heart of your Son, a welcome into His Eucharistic heart.”
Fr Peter William AM VG blessing the tabernacle. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
A call to forgiveness
In his homily, Fr Peter reflected on the day’s Gospel, in which Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who has offended him.
Jesus’ response – to forgive “77 times” – was not, Fr Peter explained, a mathematical calculation, but a call to continual and limitless forgiveness.
Reflecting on the example of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established after the end of apartheid, Fr Peter recalled the words of its chair, Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who stressed that “without reconciliation, there in effect can be no real future.”
Fr Peter then explored Jesus’ parable of the servant whose enormous debt was forgiven, yet who refused to forgive another servant a much smaller debt.
“Our forgiveness must be total, and our forgiveness must be without strings attached,” he said.
He acknowledged that forgiveness is often difficult, particularly when people have experienced deep hurt.
“True forgiveness, true reconciliation is not cheap. It is hard,” he said.
Yet Christians are continually reminded of the forgiveness they themselves receive from God.
“Every time we pray the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer, what are we saying? ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’”
Fr Peter encouraged the parish community to allow God’s mercy to shape their relationships with others.
“Yes, it’s a tough Gospel today, not one easy to hear,” he said. “But if we are sincere in our Christian commitment, we will endeavour to be able to put into practice that reconciliation, that forgiveness, that compassion, that we see evident in the person of Jesus Christ.”
Parish Priest Fr Vincent Savarimuthu. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
A parish centred on the Eucharist
At the conclusion of Mass, Fr Vincent expressed his gratitude to Fr Peter and to everyone who had contributed to the celebration.
He was particularly grateful for Fr Peter’s support for the parish’s extended Eucharistic adoration, now available from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 9pm.
“It gives us more opportunities to come before Jesus to pray, to find peace, and to bring our families and our struggles before Him, and to grow together as a community of faith,” Fr Vincent said.
“A parish that spends time before Jesus will become a parish that knows how to love, serve, and forgive and care for one another.”
Fr Vincent also thanked the many volunteers who had prepared the celebration and those who brought food to share after Mass.
“You brought more than food. You brought generosity, friendship, and the spirit of community,” he said.
“When we share our time, our gifts, our food, and our faith, we don’t simply celebrate a feast, but we build a family.”
Fr Peter and Fr Vincent with parishioners in the hall following the Mass. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
Celebrating as a parish family
The celebration continued in the parish hall with a shared meal, the cutting of the cake by Fr Peter and the parish children, and performances by the children’s choir.
The children performed three Marian songs, including I Sing to Mary, Mary, Gentle Woman and Mary, Pray for Us, bringing another joyful dimension to the parish celebration.
As the gathering came to a close, Fr Peter offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the feast and for the parish community.
“May this parish community always be protected by her love and by her prayers,” he prayed.
The celebration offered Holy Name of Mary Parish an opportunity to honour Mary, and to deepen its devotion to Christ present in the Eucharist.
In blessing the new tabernacle, Fr Peter prayed that all who come to the church might encounter the mercy and welcome of Christ, while Fr Vincent reminded the community of the fruits that can grow from spending time in His presence.
“May this feast inspire us to continue praying together, worshipping together, sharing with one another, and caring for those who may feel forgotten or alone,” Fr Vincent said.
“May our Eucharistic adoration become a source of renewal, and may our parish always be a place where Jesus Christ is adored, people are welcomed, and love is shared.”
Parishioners gathered in the hall following the Mass. Image: Alfie Ramirez/ Diocese of Parramatta
This celebration aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Mission, and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
View the photo gallery for more images from the day.
