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St. John the Baptist Parish in Australia celebrated 65th anniversary

06.07.2017, 16:28
Ukrainians in Australia are celebrating 70 years of Ukrainian immigration, while the Ukrainian Catholic Parish is celebrating 65 years of organized life.

Ukrainians in Australia are celebrating 70 years of Ukrainian immigration, while the Ukrainian Catholic Parish is celebrating 65 years of organized life.

Actually a big number of Ukrainians who came to Australia came through Northam, Western Australia. Our parish in Perth is made up of people who stayed in Western Australia and of those who arrived later.

The first Divine Liturgy in our church was celebrated in Perth on 16th March 1952. Fr. George Spolitakevich was the first Parish priest.

On 2nd July, 2017, the parishioners of the parish, along with Fr. Ihor Holovko and Fr. Richard Charlwood gathered to celebrate the anniversary.

A lot has changed in the last 50 years and more will change into the future. But there are certainly good signs in the life of the parish. There are two Divine Liturgies each weekend. Both have very good attendance. The Parish Council has over 15 members. The Parish Council is active. Pastoral concerns are openly discussed at the meetings. There is a very good choir in the parish.

The weekend celebration was attended by Bishop Peter and Mr. George Fedyszyn, the newly elected leader of the Eparchial Pastoral Committee. The Parish hall was renamed. It is now the Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky Parish Centre. A portrait of a young Metropolitan Andrei was taken into the hall in procession and was hung in an appropriate place.

Well over a hundred people attended the banquet which was held in the Maylands recreational centre.

Dr. Andrew Kania was the guest speaker at the dinner. He presented a most interesting examination of the life and times of Metropolitan Andrei. He said in a very provocative yet true statement “If Metropolitan Andrei had not succeeded, probably the Ukrainian Catholic Church would not be around today.” We do not truly know the greatness of the man and the mark he has left on our church. As it was noted, Metropolitan Andrei’s efforts have been rewarded and most of his vision is being fulfilled by today’s church. The future is very bright for our worldwide church.

The greetings, the lottery, the choir, all added to an afternoon which ended too soon. Literally, a good time was had by everyone who attended.

We all wish the Perth Parish God’s blessing as they enter the future.