Bateman Parish Jubilee celebrations recognise growth of local community.
THE Catholic Parish of Bateman celebrated its 25th Jubilee on 22 June with Mass followed by supper – the date marking the beginning of the parish and the feast day of its patron, English martyr St Thomas More.
Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton concelebrated the Mass with current parish priest, Fr Philip Perreau, Applecross parish priest and former Bateman parish priest who built the church, Fr Peter Whitely, and St Mary’s Cathedral Dean and former Bateman parish priest, Mgr Michael Keating.
Seven other priests who were either past assistant priests or had supported the parish in many of its past Sacramental celebrations also concelebrated for over 450 parishioners.
Bishop Sproxton spoke about the love St Thomas More had for the Church. His love was so great, Bishop Sproxton said, that the saint could recognise the need for reform in the Church. The 25th Jubilee was also an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the growth of the community.
Before Mass, paintings of the Yidarra Catholic Primary School students depicting their thoughts on the parish were presented on a PowerPoint. At the supper, a PowerPoint presentation of the life of the parish was also screened. Fr Whitely, Mgr Keating and Sr Maura Kelleher, the first Principal of Yidarra Catholic Primary School, also reminisced about their time in the parish.
To mark the Jubilee, a logo was designed by Peter Grainger, a past parishioner with his own graphic design business. A prayer was also composed by Geneve Cornejo.
The celebrations will continue throughout the year with a formal dinner, a multicultural night, bush dance and a gathering of past and present Catholics who have journeyed through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) programme.
“All this reminds us that there is so much to give thanks for and celebrate,” a parish statement said regarding the occasion.