CELEBRATIONS throughout Australia will coincide with others in Rome and around the world as the Church marks the 25th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II this week.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane will lead the archdiocese in celebrations with Mass in St Stephen’s Cathedral at 10am on October 22.
The archbishop has asked priests to mark the anniversary in parish communities as well.
Meanwhile, Brisbane’s Polish community is inviting others to join in four days of celebrations at Our Lady of Victories Church at Bowen Hills.
Parish priest, Society of Christ Father Stanislaw Wrona said the celebrations would start on October 16 – the date of the anniversary – with Mass at 7pm and a talk on Pope John Paul II, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration and the Rosary.
A youth Mass will be celebrated on October 17 at 7pm. Mass at 6pm on October 18 will be followed by prayer in song to the Holy Spirit.
On October 19 at 8am there will be Mass in English and then solemn Mass at 10am, followed by a program on ‘The Life of Pope John Paul II’.
In Sydney, the Polish community is marking the Pope’s silver jubilee with a concert at the Ashfield Polish Club at 3pm today (Sunday).
Internationally renowned violinist Wanda Wilkomirska will be performing, along with pianist Grzegorz Kinda, violinist Christopher Kinda, pianist Megan Evan, soprano Halina Gad and the German Caecilien Choir.
Proceeds will go towards the cost of a solemn Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral at 7pm on October 16. This Mass will be the official event for the archdiocese and Cardinal-elect George Pell will be the principal celebrant.
In Melbourne, Archbishop Denis Hart will celebrate the official archdiocesan Mass for the Pope’s jubilee at 6pm on October 18 in St Patrick’s Cathedral. This will also be the concluding Mass for the Hearts on Fire Vocations Congress being held in Melbourne from October 16-18.
Congress participants will be involved in a walk through the Melbourne CBD as a witness to the Pope’s jubilee.
Archbishop Hart will celebrate Mass for the Pope in St Patrick’s Cathedral at 1pm on October 16 and there will be a Rosary procession on that day at 4pm.
The Melbourne Catholic Youth Ministry six30 Holy Hour in the cathedral on October 16 at 6.30pm will be led by Archbishop Hart and dedicated to the Pope. This will also mark the beginning of the Hearts on Fire Vocations Congress.
An internationally acclaimed video documentary, Witness to Hope, based on George Weigel’s biography of the Pope, will be screened in the lecture theatre of the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne at 8pm on October 16.
In Adelaide, prayers of intercession for the Pope will be offered at each Mass at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on the day of the Pope’s 25th anniversary, October 16.
All parishes in Adelaide archdiocese are also being asked to offer the Mass of the Day of His Holiness. The prayers of intercession of the Pope will continue during the weekend of October 18 and 19.
The Polish community of Ottoway parish is having a special Mass on October 19 at 10.30am, followed by music and song in Polish.
A special commemorative anniversary prayer card is being distributed to all parishes.
