By Mia Wugol, Anthony Barich
SAINT Joseph’s Catholic Parish will celebrate 125 years of Catholic presence with a special Rhapsody musical performance on 3 April at Busselton Uniting Church Performance Centre.
Its proceeds will be shared equally between the St Vincent de Paul Conference of Busselton and the Busselton Uniting Church Outreach.
Mark Coughlin, a concert pianist who has toured Europe, south Asia and Australia and whose work is broadcast regularly on ABC Classic FM, will headline the event.
He will be joined by violinist Stephanie Dean, who started playing at age four, Janet Depiazzi (soprano) and MacKillop Catholic College student Matthew Ho (piano).
Musical items including Rhapsody in blue by composer Gershwin, Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, Warsaw Concerto by Addinsell and works by Liszt and Chopin will be performed on the day.
However, the parish has been celebrating its 125th anniversary for much of the last year.
Celebrations kicked off with the ordination to the Diaconate of Edwin Ocho, 31, in February 2010 which coincided with the 125th anniversary of the arrival of Busselton’s first priest. Bishop Gerard Holohan ordained Edwin to the priesthood in October 2010 in the Ordinand’s hometown in the Philippines. He is now based at the Bunbury Cathedral parish.
Current parish priest Fr Wally Kevis took over six years ago from Fr Leon Russell, who oversaw the construction of the new Our Lady of the Bay Church.
The previous Church – St Joseph’s – has been converted into a café in the mall in the centre of town.
This year, the celebrations continued with the parish’s annual Summer School where 111 parishioners reflected on the theme of “Our parish renewed”, chosen specifically for the 125th anniversary, with Bunbury Vicar General Fr Tony Chiera and former University of Notre Dame Australia theology lecturer Dr Michael Jackson, now working in Busselton parish’s pastoral office, presenting “very challenging” talks.
It was so successful, the parish wants to host another Autumn or Spring Summer School again this year.
Two busloads of parishioners continued the festivities on 29 January to tour the two popular religious sites in the area – Bove’s Farm and God’s Farm, both in the southern end of the parish, with Rosary and morning tea at Bove’s, lunch at a local winery, then on to God’s Farm for Benediction, then to another winery, then to Busselton Youth Camp, where Mass was offered.
A country and western dance night with over 100 parishioners on 11 February kept the celebrations going at the old Dunsborough hall.
Fr Kevis and former State MP Bernie Masters opened an art exhibition at Busselton parish from 18-20 February, with a car swap meet, hotdogs, wood turners and other fete activities on the Saturday.
The Veteran Car Club displayed old cars on the Sunday to show how parishioners got to Mass in the old days, including a caravan towed by an early-model Holden. All this culminated in the main event – a Mass celebrated by Bishop Holohan, and the lighting of a special Jubilee Candle that will be lit every week for the next year.
“We’re not finished yet,” Fr Kevis said.
He plans to end the celebrations with a “big bang” event in February next year “that everyone can take part in, and thank the Lord for our 125 years”.
More events are also likely to be planned later this year.
Tickets to the upcoming Rhapsody Concert cost $25 (adults), $20 (concession) and $15 (concession). Contact 9752 1687.