The extraordinary tenacity, fidelity and determination of Ireland’s most famous saint was praised by Archbishop Tim Costelloe this week at the annual St Patrick’s Day Mass, held on 17 March 2015 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.
From the entrance procession of banners and delightful Irish dancing, to the delivery of the President of Ireland’s St Patrick’s day message by the Honorary Consul of Ireland to Western Australia – Mr Martin Kavanagh, the event radiated with a sense of admiration for St Patrick and the Gospel message he preached.
The celebration was also a testament to the closely intertwined nature of Irish culture and Catholicism and to the pioneering work of many West Australian Irish Catholics who, like St Patrick, actively spread the Gospel and the work of the Church upon their arrival to this far away land.
Archbishop Costelloe attributed a significant part of the growth of the Catholic Church in Australia to Irish migrants who brought with them the charism of this great Saint.
“The faith and the Church which came to birth through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the faith, and the Church, which St Patrick did so much to spread throughout Ireland,” the Archbishop said.
“It is the same faith, and the same Church, which the first Irish arrivals in Australia brought to this land.
“The presence of the Catholic Church in Australia, and the way in which, in spite of our own struggles, weaknesses and even shameful failures, it has grown to be the largest Christian Church in our land, owes so much to our Irish ancestors in the faith and therefore to St Patrick, the great apostle of Ireland,” the Archbishop added.
A predominantly green-clothed assembly was visibly engaged by the words of the Archbishop and aptly responded by singing the hymn Hail, Glorious St Patrick after the solemn blessing.
The Archbishop concluded the Mass by encouraging all those present to continue to celebrate the feast of St Patrick and to remember that at its heart the feast is a celebration of faith.
Among those represented in the procession of banners which preceded the Mass were: Trinity Studio of Irish Dancing, the WA Academy of Irish Dancing, six religious orders that originated in Ireland, the Irish Club of WA, the Celtic Club, the Irish Theatre Players, the Gaelic Athletic Association of WA, Perth Rose of Tralee, Australian-Irish Heritage Association, Shamrock Rovers FC, Imokilly Hurling Club WA, the Irish Golf Club, Irish Expats Golden Oldies Rugby Union Club, the Claddagh Association of WA, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (who led the procession with exquisite music), and Irish Families of Perth.