What is it that draws people to Jesus?
This is the question posed to the community of City Beach on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Holy Spirit Church.
Joining Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB as concelebrant for the Mass was Parish Priest, Fr Emmanel Dimobi-tv on Sunday 17 March at Holy Spirit Church, City Beach.
As part of the anniversary Mass, Archbishop Costelloe blessed a statue of St Joseph, who feast day was marked the next day.
Continuing his homily, Archbishop Costelloe highlighted that it is Jesus Himself who insists that what will really draw people to Him is His death on the cross, His being lifted up.
“This is because the death of Jesus, brutal, and degrading though it was, proved in a way that nothing else could that Jesus loved God and loved us,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“It was Jesus, after all, who said that ‘No one can have greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’,” he said.
More than 650 members of the City Beach community gathered for the occasion, which took place the weekend before Palm Sunday.
Because the death of Jesus was the final act of love in a life lived in love, explained Archbishop Costelloe, the Cross, rather than being a source of scandal or a place of defeat, becomes a source of life for us.
“We might say, an explanation of what Jesus meant when He said to His disciples, “I am the way”.
“Self-sacrificing love for others, in imitation of Jesus, is that the very heart of our vocation as Christians.
“We have gathered in the Church today to celebrate the Eucharist: we gather to draw strength from each other’s faith and encouragement, we gather to listen carefully to the word of God, and we gather in particular to enter into a deep communion with the Lord Jesus through receiving His body and blood.
“And we do all this so that we can respond, generously and faithfully, to His command, which we hear repeated at every Mass after the consecration of the bread and wine: do this in memory of me.”
Constructed in 1974, the Church was blessed and opened by then Archbishop Lancelot Goody on 31 March that same year.
The parish was established in 1960 by then Archbishop Redmond Prendiville, with Fr Thomas Phelan as the first Parish Priest. In the year the Parish was instituted, negotiations began with the City of Perth for the purchase of a site in City Beach for the construction of a school, Church and presbytery.
Parish Priest Fr Emmanuel said it was Fr Thomas who founded the parish as a loving and welcoming community, but also as a religious and traditional people.
“Our collective dream as a parish community is constantly being realised and strengthened through us and in us as we see it protected, preserved and transmitted from generation to generation,” Fr Emmanuel said.
“My gratitude to all those who have made this 50th anniversary celebration of our Church possible. All you parishioners and non-parishioners have been our guiding lights imparting wisdom and knowledge to the organisers and volunteers and nurturing their talents,” he said.
Holy Spirit Primary School Principal Ben Will also paid tribute to the numerous Anniversary Committee members, organisers and volunteers.
In addition to a cake cutting ceremony with Archbishop Costelloe and Fr Emmanuel, students from Holy Spirit Primary Choir performed several melodies at the conclusion of Mass as part of the morning tea.
The Parish Council is currently also leading the charge of a Conservation Plan.
The state-heritage listed Church has received approval from the National Trust for an appeal fund that aims to attract tax-deductible donations from the community.
The funds raised will assist with conservation works to ensure the significance of the Church is preserved.
For more information go to www.nationaltrust.org.au/services/holy-spirit-church-city-beach/
