Parishioners of Mary Mother of the Church parish in Macquarie Fields came together recently for the first Multicultural Day celebration since before the COVID pandemic, carrying flags from more than 50 countries in a spectacular procession which highlighted the parish’s unity in cultural diversity.

The Multicultural Day has been a popular part of the parish’s tradition over many years and parishioners and visitors were delighted to see it return.

Assistant Priest, Fr Gideon Awudi SVD said the flag display was a visual feast, bringing to life the parish’s rich cultural heritage.

“It was a full day of events and a wonderful celebration following the COVID disruption,” Fr Gideon said.

“It started with a procession around the Church grounds with flags from all the different countries and then we entered the Church and the liturgy began.

“We only had one Mass that day, so everybody came to that Mass together, with many dressed in the traditional dress of their culture. It was a wonderful sight.

“Then after Mass, there were children’s performances and also performances from adults, with different cultural entertainment, as well as stalls with items for sale and cultural foods and all funds raised were donated to the Church.”

Fr Gideon said parishioners were also asked to invite their friends, making it a welcoming occasion for the whole local community.

Parishioners from Ingleburn Parish, also administered by the SVD, took part as well.

Fr Gideon said the celebration of different cultures is important in a parish as culturally diverse as Macquarie Fields.

“Among the many different cultures we have here are Slovaks, Indians, people from different countries in Africa, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and of course, Australians,” he said.

“The Divine Word Missionaries are committed to both living and ministering in an intercultural context, so this was also a wonderful expression of the SVD charism.

“It was really a very memorable day.”

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: The procession of flags representing all the countries of origin of parishioners.

BOTTOM LEFT: Fr Gideon in the national dress of Ghana, with a group of parishioners from Samoa.