WILSTON parishioners began the first of five months in thanksgiving for 100 years of worship at St Columba’s Parish.
Two of the church’s first major events were commemorated on February 2 – the first Mass celebrated by the parish on July 5, 1914, and the church’s dedication by Archbishop James Duhig on January 3, 1915.
In keeping with the commemoration of Catholic worship in the early 1900s, St Columba’s associate pastor Fr Michael Grace celebrated a high Mass wearing vestments from the early days of the parish life.
Fr Grace said the celebration was “a wonderful opportunity to remember and give thanks for the many gifts and blessing we have received form earlier generations”.
“A sentiment expressed by the Wilston community 100 years ago, was that they wanted to build a church made of brick, because it would last and give eternal glory to God,” he said.
“This was a wonderful expression of their faith; they wished to offer the first fruits of their love, worship and service to God.
“The celebration of the centenary reminds us that this legacy of faith has been handed on to us.”
The altar was adorned with “magnificent” brass candlesticks and a large crucifix, in accordance with the ad orientum Masses (facing to the East) that would have been offered at the time.
Parishioners gathered there to give thanks to the early parishioners and pastors who worshipped in the church within the last century.
Parishioners commented on the good use of traditional hymns and requested that monthly high Masses be celebrated in the parish.
Parishioners are set to continue celebrating well into early June, and welcome all to join in their centenary events.
Highlights include the opening of the parish piazza on March 30, a wine and cheese night to celebrate the opening of the presbytery on May 15 and a Centenary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge on June 8.
