ZimCatholics brighten The Bend
Events
The revving of racing cars was replaced by the sound of upbeat music, prayer and worship when the Zimbabwe Catholics of Australia and New Zealand (ZimCatholics) held their annual conference at Rydges Pit Lane Hotel in Tailem Bend from September 26-29.
Coinciding with the school holidays, the conference attracted 210 adults and 32 children, all of whom joined in singing and dancing to the beat of drums and maracas.
The main celebrant was Redemptorist priest Fr Kenneth Macharaga from Zimbabwe. He was joined by Fr Confidence Masvosva from Victoria, Fr Gift Mubaiwa from Zimbabwe (currently studying in Victoria) and Deacon Batsirai Maringehosi from NSW. Adelaide Archdiocese Vicar General Fr Dean Marin presided at the opening Mass.
The conference theme was ‘Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:5) – Faith, Hope and Restoration’.
It was the 12th annual conference and the third to be hosted by South Australia (2016, 2020 and 2024). The conference is also hosted on a rotational basis by WA, Qld and Victoria.
Chairperson of the SA ZimCatholics, Simon Moyana, said the main reason for having the conferences was for members to stay connected with their country of origin, languages and cultural values, as well as to other Zimbabwean Catholics in Australia and New Zealand.
The Zimbabwe Catholic Community formed in 2008 as Australia encouraged skilled migrants to enter into the country.
In Adelaide, these families initially connected through regular praying of the Rosary.
Now 20 families continue to come together regularly to pray and join in fellowship at retreats throughout the year.
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