Families, friends, politicians, service providers, South Sudanese, and Sudanese Australians have gathered to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint – St Josephine Bakhita.
On Sunday 11 February, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, celebrated Mass for the Sudanese community and their supporters at St Patrick’s Church, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown in honour of the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking whose feast day is on 8 February.
Each year, St Bakhita’s Diocesan Memorial Mass brings communities together. Children animated the Mass with dances during the procession, offertory, and recessional hymn, along with a choir joyfully adding to worship through song. There is no better way than to unite the people in the unity of Christ.
Members of the Sudanese and South Sundanese community are seen leading worship during the 2024 Diocesan Mass for the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
During his homily, Bishop Vincent said that St Josephine Bakhita “is proof that God can use the most unlikely people to do extraordinary things.” “Her legacy that transformation is possible through suffering is written into the history of the nation and the resilience of the people of South Sudan,” he added.
Bishop Vincent said change is likely when we operate in the unity of Christ, and the celebration was a great example of such a unity.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, delivers the homily during the 2024 Diocesan Mass for the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“May we learn to walk with the God of love, inclusion and compassion, as we endeavour not to earn as much as to make His kingdom a reality in the world. May the example of St Josephine Bakhita inspire us to be the servants of the Kingdom, acting as its leaven in our time and environment”, he said.
Akok Deng Aleu, the Chairperson of the Sudanese Australian Catholic Community, said it is through the saint that Sudan is still united, it is the unity that makes us grow together with others.
After the Diocesan Memorial Mass, the community offered a tasting session of traditional food as part of welcoming all and celebrating St Josephine Bakhita. Deacon John Cinya, Deacon Assisting at Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, took the opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work of Sr Maria Sullivan who worked with the South Sudanese and Sudanese communities for over two decades.
Members of the Sudanese and South Sundanese community with Sr Maria Sullivan (centre right) following the 2024 Diocesan Mass for the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Alison Rahill, Executive Officer and Program Manager from the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN), hosted in the Archdiocese of Sydney, acknowledged that recognition of St Bakhita’s name and her life is growing across the country from the Diocese of Darwin to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
ACAN unites the voices of the Australian Catholic communities to raise awareness of the risks associated with modern slavery and put an end to the inhuman problems.
“The most recent estimates of people living in situations of forced labour, human trafficking, forced marriage, domestic or other forms of servitude has increased to 41,000 in Australia and 50 million around the world,” Alison said.
The St Josephine Bakhita Diocesan Memorial Mass and community celebration is an annual event held in collaboration with the Diocese of Parramatta’s Mission Enhancement Team, the Australian Catholic University, and the Sudanese Australian Catholic Community. Our appreciation goes to our supporters as we continue to journey together for the unity and healing of the most vulnerable in our society.
View images from the Diocesan St Josephine Bakhita Mass here or below:
