ZILLMERE parishioners from 47 different nationalities flocked St Flannan’s Church to share the gifts of their own traditions and cultures at a Mass, morning tea and concert on Sunday, August 27.
Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon assistant principal Karen Davidson said, “the Church was over-flowing with so many parishioners, ready to share a part of themselves free from cultural stereotypes”.
“Sunday was a true embodiment of what we mean when we say the word ‘Church’ – a body of people coming together to hear the message of Christ, and then to live it in ministry,” she said.
“The ministry of acknowledging each-other and the unique gifts and talents we embody.”
Parish priest Fr Rafal Rucinski said a high percentage of his parishioners come from multicultural backgrounds.
He stressed how important it was for the Church to embrace the multicultural backgrounds of parishioners.
Fr Rucinski was trained specifically to work with Polish Catholics who lived outside Poland and well-understood the importance of feeling welcomed and celebrating culture.
“It’s important also to feel accepted,” he said.
“It’s very good that people (in Zillmere) feel accepted and they like to come to church and show part of their tradition and culture to others.”
The Mass began with a Welcome to Country led by Uncle Alex Davidson, a Turrbal Elder.
The prayers of intercession included use of native languages and in all, members of the Papua New Guinea, Samoan, Malaysian, Indian communities played roles within the parts of the Mass.
St Flannan’s Primary School Teacher Danny Clancy said, “we all come from somewhere, and it was lovely to be able to recognise and appreciate the various ethnic cultures that exist at St Flannan’s Parish.”
“I have seen the parish grow in numbers throughout the years and the performances are definitely first class” he said.
Fr Rucinski also gave a special thank you to the students and staff from Holy Spirit College and St Flannan’s school who sang and participated in the Mass.
“Multicultural Sunday celebration expresses how we are all one in our cultural and ethnic diversity, not just one in our humanity but in the oneness of all things in creation,” Fr Rucinski said.
“With this year’s Multicultural Sunday such a huge success, we are looking forward to next year’s event.”
