Celebrations mark Sandy Bay Parish’s 90th anniversary
By Josh Low
Celebrating the lives and stories of faith in the Sandy Bay Parish community was behind the parish’s 90th anniversary celebrations last month.
The celebrations began with a five-day retreat during Pentecost week, in the lead up to the 90th anniversary event on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19 May, and a parish dinner on Monday 20 May.
Mass was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday by Archbishop Julian, who was joined by Archbishop Emeritus Adrian Doyle and clergy of the Archdiocese.
Sandy Bay Parish Priest, Fr Shammi Perera VG, explained that the reason for the 90th anniversary celebrations arose from a desire to include several parishioners who have been present since the inception of the parish.
“The parish was founded on 20 May 1934, during the time of Archbishop William Hayden, with the plot of land where the current church stands [seen as] a growth corridor.
“Funds were raised, and the land was bought for 5000 Australian pounds, with a big hall built there first, called Pentecost Hall, and the church building established and consecrated in November that same year,” Fr Shammi explained.
Fr Shammi added that so much good happened through the establishment of the church and parish, as many lives were changed.
“A few of our parishioners were baptised at that first baptismal font, and still belong to the parish community, now in their late 80s and 90s.
“Nobody celebrates a 90th anniversary, but I thought I had to do something.
“If we wait for the 100th anniversary, there’s a chance that many of our senior parishioners – who have been part of the parish for 60, 70, 80 years – won’t be there.
“So that was my intention – to celebrate the lives and faith stories of our parishioners who really started this community,” he said.
In his homily on Pentecost Sunday, Archbishop Julian said placing the parish under the patronage of the Holy Spirit invites the parish community to focus particularly on the role of the Holy Spirit.
“We should always be attentive to the possible action of the Holy Spirit both in our own lives and in the life of the Church.
“The image of fire speaks of the Spirit’s transforming power in the life of believers.
“How much we need the power of the Holy Spirit to embolden us to announce the Gospel to the people of our time!
“Today as we mark this significant anniversary of the parish, I pray that the Holy Spirit will be a living and powerful presence among you.
“May Sandy Bay Parish live and prosper under the grace of the Holy Spirit,” he concluded.