Hundreds of people took advantage of fine weather to attend the popular food festival at St Joseph’s Parish, Kingswood, recently.
Members of the parish community and residents from the surrounding area eagerly lined up for delicious home-made dishes from stalls serving Filipino, Lebanese, Indian, Korean, African and Polish food. There was also a stall selling mouth-watering barbecue, as well as a cake and coffee stall for those with a sweet tooth.
St Joseph’s Primary was one of the organisers of the event. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
The annual event, which this year was held on 10 August, is organised by the parish’s Pastoral Council with the help of the Syro-Malabar community and St Joseph’s Primary School.
A spokesperson of the Pastoral Council said its success was due to the hard work and dedication of the organisers and many volunteers who cooked food and baked cakes, distributed flyers all over the area, and volunteered on the day setting up the stalls, manning them and then packing everything away.
The Syro-Malabar stall at the St Joseph’s Food Festival, Kingswood. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“It is a very special day because it reflects what St Joseph’s Parish is all about – united in our diversity and committed to continue walking with Christ whilst on our earthly pilgrimage,” they said.
“Our volunteers who were distributing flyers all the way out in Jordan Springs met people who were excited that St Joseph’s was running the event again.
“It is always wonderful to see people from the surrounding areas who, although they might not necessarily come to Mass at St Joseph’s, feel welcome to share a meal and a positive atmosphere with the parish.”
Parish Secretary of St Joseph’s Kingswood Clare Harris, with husband and long-time parish volunteer Roger Harris at the festival. Image: Mike Schembri
Parish Priest Fr Andrzej (Andrew) Fornal OP said the food festival was a chance to “bring people together through food and welcome”, and make them feel part of the parish.
“The food festival was a great success for the parish and the greater Kingswood community,” he said. “I think Saint Joseph interceded for us very hard because the weather was good throughout the whole festivities. When we finished, the rain started to pour down.”
This event aligns with the priorities of Community, and Listening, Dialogue and Discernment in the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
The parish is planning another event – a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mercy shrine, Penrose Park, in the Southern Highlands. All are welcome. For more information contact the parish office on (02) 4721 4080, or kingswood@parracatholic.org
The barbecue stall was popular with young and old. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Volunteers at the Filipino food stall. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
