Jubilee of Migrants

St Martin’s parish, Greenacres-Walkerville

St Martin’s parish, Greenacres-Walkerville, joined the universal Church in celebrating the Jubilee of Migrants this year, organising two events that brought together the community, made up of people from different nationalities who now call Australia home.

On Sunday, 28 September, we had a multicultural Mass with Readings, Prayers, and songs in different languages. People came wearing their traditional clothes. During the Mass, a girl sang one of the theme songs of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, "O God who walks with us, your people…” and a group of young people brought to the altar the different flags representing the 26 nationalities present in the parish. The Mass was followed by a morning tea, and food was brought by parishioners. They were delicacies from their countries for everybody to share and enjoy. It was a happy, family-like celebration.

Then on 24 October, we held a multicultural dinner. The theme for the evening was Building Community through Cultures. It was a beautiful encounter of friendship among parishioners of different ages, and a colourful expression of diverse backgrounds, with many wearing traditional costumes. The dances and songs presented by different ethnic groups were highlights of the night. There was an abundance of food brought by the people to share, making for a very enjoyable and memorable celebration.

Both events affirm the gifts of cultural diversity and the profound role that migrants play in shaping our communities as pilgrims of hope.

Sr. Brenda Balingasa, sjbp