No witches, skeletons or zombies here! Across the Diocese of Parramatta parishes provided fun and entertaining events on 31 October, All Hallows Eve – the vigil of All Saints Day on 1 November.
There is no doubt that the American-style Halloween is growing in popularity in Australia. But instead of dressing as ghouls and terrifying creatures, several parishes asked their pint-sized parishioners to honour the true meaning of All Hallows Eve and come dressed as their favourite saint or Bible hero.
From Quakers Hill to Penrith, Winston Hills to Kingswood, there were a multitude of mini-Marys, several St Charbels, a flurry of Saint Francises, Saint Faustina’s, St Georges and Saint Jacinta’s. There were adorable angels and archangels, Wise Men, priests and a few who dressed up as Jesuses!
This was the second All Hallows event for Saint Paul The Apostle Parish in Winston Hills, organised by a group of mothers who wanted something different for their children.
Fr John Paul Escarlan with a mini look-alike. Image: supplied with permission from Winston Hills Parish
“The All Hallows event started in 2023 as a response to the increasing push and pressure on children to celebrate secular Halloween,” said parishioner and co-organiser Philomena.
“All Hallows Eve is a lovely reminder of our mortality, the importance of praying for the dead and to celebrate our call to be saints,” she said.
St Maximilian Kolbe. Image: supplied with permission from Winston Hills Parish
This year’s event was a smashing success, with more than 70 children participating in a candlelit rosary procession, a parade of the ‘saints’, followed by dinner and games.
“Everyone had a lot of fun and it joined the community together. A special thanks to Fr John Paul Escarlan for his continued involvement and support,” said Philomena.
The new Somascan priests at St Padre Pio Parish, in Glenmore Park, were more than happy to support the first-ever All Hallows event.
As Assistant Priest Fr Sheldon Burke CRS said in the leadup to the event, “It is so important for children and families to participate in celebrations in light of our Catholic faith.
“Encouraging the children to dress up as saints is a great way for them to celebrate the saints we imitate and the saints we are ultimately called to be,” he said.
St Rose of Lima. Image: supplied with permission from Winston Hills Parish
Similar to Winston Hills, a group of parents from Glenmore Park parish came together to organise the first celebration of All Hallows Eve, which attracted 65 children.
“The parents were looking for something different for their children who were being pressured by their friends to go out into the streets trick or treating, dressed as witches or skeletons for Halloween,” said one of the organisers.
“The church wanted to give the children a platform to have a fun-filled evening but at the same time keeping up the Christian way, in honour of the saints,” she said.
The super-cute ‘saints’ started in the church and were asked to introduce their saint in front of the crowd. Parish Priest Fr Johnson CRS and Fr Sheldon then conducted a Q&A with the children, which was followed by games, food and giveaways in the parish hall.
Parents were very thankful for the event, with one mother saying: “A massive congratulations and thanks to Fr Johnson, Fr Sheldon and all the volunteers for doing such an amazing job organising it for the children. They had a wonderful time, and I feel like it was such a lovely way of celebrating the feast day.”
As the events were so successful, these parishes are encouraging all parishes in the Diocese to consider organising an All Hallows event in 2025.
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