CATHOLIC LEADER REPORT: SUNNY winter skies greeted worshippers of Our Lady of the Southern Cross parish, Greater Springfield, last Sunday for a special event.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane celebrated the outdoor Mass, installing Greater Springfield parish priest Fr Mauro Conte.
Gift of art: Brianne Gatehouse, 10, presents Springfield parish priest Fr Mauro Conte with a painting she did as a gift for the new parish. Brianne is a student at St Augustine's College
Archbishop Bathersby described the event as "a great day of celebration for our archdiocese"."I am deeply grateful to be invited to be present with you on this most significant day," he said in his homily.
"Soon we will celebrate the sesquicentenary of St Mary's Parish, Maryborough, in 1861, with the appointment of the first French parish priest Fr Tissot.
"Your brand new parish also will undoubtedly celebrate its sesquicentenary at some time in the distant future.
"Such is the birth of this new parish for the Archdiocese of Brisbane as the Church grows and the faith is planted in the hearts and minds of new Christians."
Fr Conte spoke of the ongoing support from the archbishop and other priests gathered with the community in prayer, including Brisbane archdiocese Moderator Fr Peter Meneely.
"The atmosphere was great," Fr Conte said.
"The weather was fantastic and the whole community was there as we cancelled the other Masses so that everyone would come to the one with the archbishop."
"Excited" and "very happy" was how he described the feeling among the people, more than 600 of whom were gathered.
"We worked very hard towards this event," he said.
"It was very successful and was exactly what the community was looking for ... the announcement of our name.
"The people are responding really well."
Our Lady of the Southern Cross parish comprises five suburbs.
Fr Conte said it was "in an area full of children and families" and they recently celebrated First Holy Communion with 25 students.
"We have started a journey full of challenges," he said.
"The first is to build a church and raise funds.
"Another challenge is to keep the community together."
- Selina Venier
http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/top-stories/new-parish-springs-to-life_74212
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