In the Acts of the Apostles we are told that when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost, those who were there heard the Gospel proclaimed in each of their different languages.
As the universal prayer of the Church was proclaimed in the many languages of the cultures gathered for the Diocesan African Mass on Sunday, 18 May 2025 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, it was the first Pentecost that came to mind.
The languages of South Sudan, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Sierra Leone all called on the one God in the prayers of the faithful, creating a visceral sense of how the Eucharistic prayer describes the Church – one body, one spirit in Christ.
Members of the choir sing during the Mass playing percussion instruments. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
A celebratory return
This year marked a return of the combined celebration for the first time since the impact of COVID restrictions. Among the attendees were Mr Edmond Attalla MP, NSW Member for Mount Druitt, and Ms Julia Finn MP, NSW Member for Granville. People travelled from near and far, including from the dioceses of Sydney, Broken Bay and Wollongong to be part of the event.
Dr Valentine Mukuria of the Kenyan community, and Campus Dean of Australian Catholic University, Blacktown was unable to participate last time the African community came together, making this celebration even more special for her.
“It was so beautiful to be a part of,” Valentine Said.
“To show the magnitude and depth of our faith as Africans… to live out our faith in this way.”
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
The procession of the gifts that followed was a joyous giving back to the Lord what has been given to us. The usual gifts of bread and wine were accompanied by music, voices, drums and dance that elevated the language of symbols to the language of the heart.
Ambrose Girr from the South Sudanese community led the choir that opened the Mass.
“Music brings people together in faith,” Ambrose said.
“And today was a beautiful example of that.”
Perhaps one of the most moving parts of the celebration was the way that, no matter which of the communities was leading it at different points, everyone was physically moved, swaying, dancing, clapping.
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“The music brought everyone together… you could hear all the people joining in, praising the Lord with joy,” he reflected.
For Noel Zihabamwe from the Rwandan Community, the celebration was not just about remaining connected to the roots of the community, although this is important.
“It’s also important for our children,” he says.
“To help them grow in prayer and to continue on the path we were raised on.”
Fr Fernando Montano PP VG with South Sudanese community members at the African Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta.
At the conclusion of the celebration Fr Fernando Montano PP, Vicar General, Episcopal Vicar of Social Welfare and principal celebrant, praised and thanked the African community for showing a way for the rest of the Church to celebrate the intersection of culture and faith.
“When culture speaks to the liturgy, we are all enriched,” he said.
“I hope we can see more of the culture of our multicultural Australian Church expressed in this way.”
View the photo gallery on Flickr.
