On Sunday 24 September, the sun was shining and the grounds of Our Lady, Queen of Peace (OLQP) Parish, Greystanes, were abuzz with preparation for the 58th year of the OLQP Festa.
Festa is a celebration of faith, friends and family grounded in the traditions of the Maltese feasts from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean. As Greystanes has grown into a multi-cultural community, the Festa too has sought to grow, inviting all people from the local community and beyond to the celebration of Our Lady, Queen of Peace.
Devotees are seen during Mass as part of the Maltese Festa at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Supplied
Over 4000 people experienced the Festa throughout the day. The congregation was in full voice at the Festa Mass at 2pm celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Paul Roberts, concelebrated by Assistant Priests Fr Jack Elkazzi and Fr Jobi Payyappilly.
A procession of the Statue of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, in the Church grounds followed, with Fr Jack leading the Rosary. People of all generations and all cultural backgrounds joined in the procession and continued to give thanks to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, throughout the evening as the statue of Mary stood at the heart of the Parish grounds.
The statue is a replica of the Our Lady of Victories statue in Xaghra, Gozo. The statue arrived in Greystanes in 1965 from Italy after being commissioned by a band of Maltese immigrants hoping to share their faith and culture within the new parish community of Greystanes. The Festa has been celebrated ever since.
Devotees carry the statue of Our Lady of Victories during the Maltese Festa at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Supplied
The afternoon celebrations continued with the musical performances of the Maltese Concert Band NSW, alongside rides, market stalls and food stalls. Later in the evening, the G-sus Youth Band of the Parish entertained the crowds with a variety of songs with the grounds spontaneously turning into a dancefloor showcasing the many dancing gifts of attendees! Festa attendees shared how much they enjoyed the evening via social media posts commenting on how much fun was had and how great it was to see the Festa engage a whole new generation to keep the Festa tradition alive in the community.
Festa chairperson, Julie Piscopo recognised in her message two pioneers of the Greystanes community and Festa – Joe Spiteri and Frank Cefai – who both had passed away during the year. She honoured their stories and contribution to the community and encouraged all to listen and share the stories of the past to take these wonderful traditions and learnings into our future.
An intergenerational family is see in front of the statue of Our Lady of Victories during the Maltese Festa at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Supplied
Festa also coincided with the World Day of Migrants and Refugees which was honoured in the Festa Mass, remembering that the foundations of the Greystanes community was on the back of Maltese immigrants with the invitation to think how we can walk with people who are newly-arrived in our communities.
Fr Paul Roberts, in his reflection of Festa, concludes, “So friends, happy Festa! Here’s to the most important of the enduring foundations of life and faith being lived with freshness for today! And here’s also to the new practices and priorities that reflect a people of faith keen to keep listening for the call of God in our time.”
Visit the OLQP Festa Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/olqp.festa to enjoy highlights of the day.
Lisa Bright is a parishioner of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes.
