St Columba’s Parish in Bayswater welcomed Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB for the first time on October 13, when he celebrated Mass in honour of the parish’s 75th anniversary.
Celebrations for the milestone have occurred since St Columba’s feast day in June with a cake baked especially for the occasion that was shared among parishioners after Mass.
The celebrations continued into July and August with two parish gatherings.
“Parishioners were asked to come along, share food and to reminisce about their time in the parish,” Carolyn Kelly, a parishioner at St Columba’s told The Record.
“Both functions had photo displays and live presentations showing special events in the history of the parish.”
The Bayswater Catholic church traces its origins back to 1906 when St Columba’s was part of the parish of Maylands.
Twenty-two years later, in 1938, the boundaries of the parish were changed and Archbishop Redmond Prendiville, the fifth bishop and second Archbishop of Perth, opened and blessed St Columba’s Bayswater.
“We celebrate the anniversary of the parish with thanks for the past, joy for the present and hope for the future,” Ms Kelly said.
The celebrations in September included a parish retreat presented by Sr Kathy Kettle and Sr Ann Cullinane on “Celebrating Giftedness”.
“We were asked to reflect on the talents each one of us brings to the parish and what the parish means to us,” Ms Kelly said.
The celebratory Mass was concelebrated with parish priest Fr Minh-Thuy Nguyen and former parish priest Fr Huynh Nguyen, and incorporated a special entrance procession.
“The chairman of the pastoral council brought forward a large candle,” Ms Kelly said.
“The Juszkiewicz family had their daughter Zoe baptised the week of the ceremony and they brought forward the parish baptismal register on behalf of all families in the parish.”
Lorraine and Alan Waters brought forward the marriage register on behalf of all those who were married in the parish.
After the entrance procession, children from St Columba’s Primary School sang the St Columba’s song, which was written for the school by Fr Huynh Nguyen.
The parish choirs joined together, each choir taking charge of the preparation of a hymn, allowing all musicians to perform at the 75th anniversary.
Hundreds of parishioners attended the luncheon held in the school undercroft after Mass to mark the occasion.
“It was a very special day in the life of St Columba’s parish,” chairman of the pastoral council George Key said.
“The weather was perfect in every way and His Grace was very generous in giving his time celebrating a memorable Mass and staying on to cut the anniversary cake and enjoy a wonderful day.”
The children enjoyed a bouncy castle and parishioners Chad Beins and Alfonso Soliano provided the music.
“In every way, it was a great day,” Mr Key said.