Unique Lefevre welcomes visitation team
Local
The ‘uniqueness’ of the Lefevre Peninsula was on show for all to see when the Archbishop’s visitation team met with the parish community in early September.
Its close ties to the sea and the surrounding industry supporting Outer Harbour is evident throughout the tight-knit community, making it different to many other parishes in the Archdiocese.
“Our parish is unique because we have the Apostleship of the Sea, but also because living on the Lefevre Peninsula is more like being in a country town,” parish priest Father Brian Angus explained.
“It is intergenerational here, you see the grandparents, their children and their grandchildren who have all grown up here and stay living in the area. It is like we are ‘contained’ – and there is something nice about that.”
During the visitation from September 2 to 10, Archbishop Philip Wilson, Vicar-General Fr Philip Marshall and director of Ministry and Leadership, Teresa Lynch met with several Church groups based in the parish.
This included spending time at the two parish schools – Our Lady of the Visitation and Dominican – where they spoke with students, staff and parents, attending the local St Vincent de Paul Society, Phillip Kennedy Centre and Rosary Group. Masses held at the Sacred Heart Church in Semaphore and Our Lady of the Visitation Church in Taperoo gave parishioners the chance to chat with members of the team.
Fr Angus said all involved with the program were delighted to be given the opportunity to share their thoughts and have their voices heard.
On Wednesday September 6, Fr Marshall celebrated Mass at Our Lady of the Visitation which was attended by Year 2 and 3 students from the school. Following the Mass, principal Frank DeTullio took Fr Marshall and Ms Lynch on a tour of the pre-school which has 60 students, and the team then met with students involved with the Children’s University program.
The school has 28 students participating in the program run by the University of Adelaide and all will graduate this year having completed the required hours of various extra-curricular activities, such as sports and crafts, as well as diverse interests including astronomy and writing and publishing books.
On the same morning Archbishop Wilson and Fr Angus attended the Rosary Group at the West Lakes Church. The group was formed about 30 years ago and some of the original members are still participating in the weekly gatherings.
Archbishop Wilson praised the commitment of the group and told members they should be inspired by “all the good that can be achieved” by praying for others.
Fr Angus said the parish’s involvement in the ecumenical church at West Lakes Shore was a wonderful demonstration of faiths working together. Originally a petrol station, the church is utilised by the Catholic Church, Uniting Church and Church of Christ. Mass is celebrated there every Saturday morning, the Rosary Group meets on Monday mornings and a craft group is held on Fridays.
Ms Lynch said a feature of the week was the beautiful live music and singing at each Mass. Of particular note was the efforts of parishioner Gareth Watson who has written music for the psalm of each week of the liturgical year, fitting with marker two of the eight key characteristics of a renewing parish.
The visitation concluded on September 10 with the Archbishop celebrating Mass on Child Protection Sunday. In his homily he spoke of the importance of creating safe environments for all, especially children. The parish shared resources with families, including a prayer card and balloons.
Mass was followed by a shared lunch, which gave parishioners another opportunity to ask questions of the visitation team. The Open Door Leaders (renewal team) also updated everyone on the renewal efforts and challenges faced.
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