St Peter To Rot Celebration Day

Last Sunday we hosted a Celebration Day in honour of  St Peter To Rot and Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

We opened with a beautiful blessing ceremony of the newly installed statue of Saint Mary MacKillop, presided over by Bishop Robert McGuckin, Bishop Emeritus of Toowoomba, and the Sisters of St Joseph. We were lucky to be joined by NSW Regional Leader Sr Ann Porter, Sr Mary, and Sr Helen from the Mary MacKillop Centre.

Incense, and the colours of the Papua New Guinean flag, greeted us as we moved into Holy Spirit Church to unveil a stunning portrait of St Peter To Rot, painted by Joan Sully, and to bless and install a first-class relic in his honour. The Liturgy of the Word was presented to us in Tok Pisin, the most widely spoken official language of PNG, while our musicians, Bobby, Anne-Maree, Joszef, Carmel, and Lorant, stunned with their stirring voices during Communion. Eric Hew did a phenomenal job of coordinating the audio-visual side of the Mass.

As Fr Bogdan mentioned in his acknowledgments, the day would not have been possible without the building work of Ian, Alf, Bill, and Owen. The space in Holy Spirit Church is now beautifully illuminated. And finally, the garden has been lovingly created by Yvonne & Jim Morrison, and Kathy & Jim Burton. Our bus drivers, Phillip, Chris, Leon, and Paul were invaluable in getting parishioners to the Church to celebrate with us.

We also presented Papal Blessings to a few of our beloved volunteers. Maggie Geaney was surprised upon seeing many of her interstate relatives for a joyous recognition of her dedication to this community, and Narelle Harris led all of the ladies who volunteer at the Mary MacKillop Piety Shop and Bookstore which brings much needed funds into the Parish, for their blessing.

The day was topped off by a delicious lunch as Ann, Lyn, Jasmine, Gayle, and many others supplied all types of homecooked savouries and sweets. The Holy Spirit certainly watched over us, as the rain held off until everything was packed away. Many hands made light work and we thank everyone for contributing.

For our Parish, the St Peter To Rot Celebration Day marked the culmination of months of intricate planning driven by Fr Bogdan who called PNG home for twelve years where he served as a missionary priest.

As we reflect on the Gospel message from Sunday, we are reminded that we each serve God in humility and love, connecting with each other as St Peter To Rot did, to spread the message of Christ without fear, as Fr Bogdan emphasised in his homily. All who attended our Celebration Day were humbled by the example of St Peter To Rot and we thank you for your dedication and sense of service on an important day.

In recalling reciting the Litany of Saints during the Holy Mass, we ask for their prays and blessings, and the intercessions of St Peter To Rot and St Mary of the Cross MacKillop who both now have a special place within our Parish community.