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Historic parish has multicultural flavour

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Learning how to cook paella, visiting the historic St Mary’s Church and hearing about Mini Vinnies at Antonio Catholic School were some of the highlights of the Diocesan Team’s pastoral visitation to Morphett Vale parish.

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The visitation week, the last for 2018, commenced with three celebrations of Eucharist, one of which was supported by thenewly formed Youth Music Ministry Group.

Administrator Delegate Fr Philip Marshall and team members rejoiced with children and young people of the parish who received their first Holy Communion which was followed by morning tea on the lawns surrounded by the recently landscaped environs of the parish.

The Neocatechumenal Community extended welcome and hospitality providing lunch at the home of a mission family. After a lesson outdoors on how to cook paella for 50 or so hungry children and adults, the team shared in conversation, hearing what motivated these families to leave their homes in Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Spain and other places to undertake their mission, centred in catechesis.

The weekend ended in an inspiring and energising conversation with young people involved in music ministry, who expressed their desire to continue evolving towards a group which listens and dialogues with each other as they consider social justice and other life issues.

On Thursday the team spent time with students and staff in each of the schools, engaging with the Mini Vinnies team, visiting those who were unwell, meeting volunteers who care for the sick and who provide services through St Vincent de Paul and Annie’s Op Shop.

The Op Shop originated from regular weekend garage sales but has grown over the past decade to an outlet for thousands of pieces of pre-loved clothing, furniture, jewellery and other assortments with proceeds going to the parish.

Members of the visitation team toured the historic St Mary’s Church, where St Mary MacKillop’s excommunication was lifted, and adjoining cemetery. The church was consecrated in 1846 and the cemetery is one of the oldest in the State with the first registered burial occurring the same year.

The team also shared time those involved in the seven prayer groups which are well established in the parish and met with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils as well as members of the Polish community.

The visitation concluded with Sunday Mass, a shared lunch and an ‘open mic’ session.

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