With the shift of season, and an increasing number of warm days, several parishes across Western Sydney and Blue Mountains have taken the opportunity to celebrate.
A variety of spring fetes, community celebrations and fundraisers have taken place throughout August, September and October – bringing the young and young at heart together in fun, fellowship and faith.
A family fiesta at Rouse Hill
Rain may have fallen, but nothing could dampen the joy at the annual Family Fiesta at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, on Sunday 3 August, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels.
With plenty of undercover areas, the celebrations went ahead in full swing. Volunteers served up cuisine from all over the globe – from Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, Malaysian, Italian, Croatian and Indian traditions – reflecting the multicultural richness of the OLA community.
Malaysian food stall holders during the Family Fiesta at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Facebook
“Although we come from many places around the world, we are all together one community,” said Michael Said, Fiesta Committee Chairperson.
At the heart of the day was Mass and the procession of the Blessed Sacrament with the statue of Our Lady of the Angels.
“It’s not just a Fiesta but it is truly a celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels,” Michael said. “The celebration of Mass and procession … is the centrepiece of the day that enables us to reflect and honour the Blessed Virgin Mary as the patron of our Parish.”
A Spring bazaar to raise money for refugee family
The St Patrick’s Cathedral Cloister was alive with activity on Sunday 14 September as the parish community came together for a great cause.
Money raised from the parish’s Spring Bazaar will go towards sponsoring a refugee family from Ethiopia, as part of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) program.
Volunteers from Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead, during the Spring Bazaar at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta. Image: Supplied
With support from the Open Arms of St Patrick’s group, parishioners and other members of the Parramatta local community, the refugee family will have emotional and practical assistance for their first 12 months in Australia.
Raising over $8000 on the day was in part due to a lot of the services being offered as donations or given for free – including food, jumping castle, face painting, plant stall and raffle prizes.
Community in action at Richmond’s Spring Fair
More than 110 parishioners generously gave of their time across various roles at the Parish of Richmond’s Spring Fair on 20 September.
The grounds of St Monica’s Richmond came alive as family, friends and neighbours gathered in celebration with 23 stall holders and nine food vendors.
“In just 14 weeks of preparation and six hours of joyful execution, we witnessed the power of community in action,” the fair committee said in the parish’s bulletin.
Items for sale at stalls inside the old church at the Spring Fair at St Monica’s Church, Richmond. Image: St Monica’s Primary School Richmond/Facebook
“The day was a testament to what we can achieve together.
“Thank you for your time, your talents, and your heart. Here’s to many more moments of unity and joy!”
Crowds drawn to first-ever Baulkham Hills Parish fete
Celebrating their first-ever fete, communities within the Parish of Baulkham Hills and beyond were brought together on the grounds of St Michael’s Primary School.
“At any given time, the school ground was crowded with around 500 parishioners and locals,” Parish Priest Fr Joseph (Joe) Lam said in the parish bulletin.
Food stall holders during the first ever parish Spring fete at St Michael’s Church, Baulkham Hills. Image: Facebook
Participants were entertained by various school bands and martial arts and dance performances, with their food stalls filled with a variety of flavours and tastes.
Raising funds for their recent recarpeting project and other initiatives, the parish raised $40,500, with Fr Joe praising the moves the parish has made towards its financial stability.
Strength of parish family on display at Mt Druitt South
On 28 September, Sacred Heart Parish, Mt Druitt South, celebrated a wonderful day of community spirit during their parish fete.
Enjoying the sunshine, delicious food and wonderful stalls, the fete was a “true testament to the strength of our parish family,” according to Parish Pastoral Director, Deacon Roderick Pirotta.
A jumping castle during the parish fete at Sacred Heart Parish, Mt Druitt South. Image: Supplied
“It was beautiful to see the many cultures that make up our parish community coming together, working together, and celebrating together,” Deacon Rod said in the parish bulletin.
“We are thrilled to announce that the fete raised $21,000 after expenses – an amazing effort and a blessing for our parish.”
60th anniversary of OLQP Festa
This year, the Maltese community at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Festa celebrations.
The community were honoured to have Bishop Anton Tuema, Bishop of Gozo, Malta, be the principal celebrant of the Mass on Sunday 28 September.
As well as the traditional procession of the giant statue of Our Lady around the parish grounds, Bishop Teuma adorned the statue with a crown.
Bishop Anton Tuema, Bishop of Gozo, Malta, adorned the statue of Our Lady of Victories with a crown during Mass in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Festa at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Greystanes. Image: Supplied
In the parish bulletin, Parish Priest Fr Paul Roberts, shared how joyful it was that the Festa has welcomed the wider community into its celebration.
“In our Catholic faith, we believe that a valuable first step of sharing the Good News is simply by being with people on the grassroots level of life, giving witness to being welcome and one,” he said.
“A Festa where many people offer friendship to others, especially to strangers, can certainly do this!”
During a session of the NSW Parliament, NSW Member for Prospect Dr Hugh McDermott shared that the OLQP Festa has become “a truly multicultural festival, connecting our diverse community.”
“I was pleased to join…the OLQP Parish community for the procession of the statue of Our Lady. I even joined the strong, young parishioners carrying Our Lady’s statue along the procession – albeit only for a short time, and I still carry the bruises,” he said on 14 October.
“The Festa is a joyful celebration of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and I congratulate those involved on a wonderful celebration of faith and community.”
In similar comments, NSW Member for Granville, Julia Finn said that the Festa is “one of the most cherished community celebrations in Greystanes”.
“What began in 1965 as a small Maltese community celebration has grown into a vibrant multicultural festival that reflects the heart of modern Greystanes, diverse, welcoming and deeply connected,” she shared in Parliament on 16 October.
Events like the Festa strengthen our community’s bonds and honour the contributions of those who built this parish and helped shape local life.”
Read about other recent parish celebrations including the St Luke’s Dinner Dance, the international food festival at St Joseph’s Kingswood, and the 30th anniversary celebrations at Holy Spirit Parish, St Clair.
Our parish celebrations align with our Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Community and becoming an Inclusive and Welcoming Church. Visit Synodality to learn more.
