By Paul Dobbyn
THE annual Multicultural Mass in St Stephen’s Cathedral this Sunday, August 31, promises to be another colourful and prayerful celebration of Brisbane archdiocese’s cultural diversity.
Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge will be the main celebrant at the Mass which starts at 2.30pm.
The Mass is held on the last Sunday of August each year in observance of the National Migrant and Refugee Week.
Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care director Margaret Naylon said the Mass would also provide a valuable opportunity to join in solidarity with those suffering in conflicts around the world.
A vast number of ethnic communities will be present including 23 Latin American communities.
There will also be people from a significant number of African countries including Sudan, Burundi, Nigeria and the Congo as well as representatives of various European and Asian communities.
Neighbours on Australia’s doorstep such as people from Tonga, Samoa and Indonesia will also take part.
“However, we would see this Mass as a celebration of the whole archdiocese and not just ethnic communities,” Ms Naylon said. “It is celebrating our faith as Australians.
“The Mass gives us the opportunity to recognise the multicultural aspect of our archdiocese and that our differences bring a great richness to this Church.
“At this time when there is so much conflict in the world, it is important to remember that we are all part of the same human family – brothers and sisters around the world – and we need to respond to those who are suffering.”
This year’s National Migrant and Refugee Week, which started on August 25 and runs until today (August 31), has as its theme Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World.
Resource material to be used in conjunction with the week has been produced by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference through the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office.
