Joy in Jubilee journey of hope

By Wendy Shaw

Kingston-Channel parishioners stepped out in faith on a pilgrimage to Richmond.

More than 70 people took part in what Parish Priest Fr Mike Delaney described as “a great occasion for the parish” on 6 April.

He said pilgrims gained “a sense of journeying with the parish, supporting the parish, praying for the parish as well as for the Jubilee Year of Hope and … [also] praying for the mission of the Church”.

Pilgrims from all parts of the parish and a mix of age ranges walked from Richmond’s St Luke’s Anglican Church to St John’s Church – the oldest continuously used Catholic church in Australia – for prayers and reflection followed by afternoon tea.

Stephanie Downes has been a Kingston-Channel parishioner for about ten years, and has been on pilgrimages around the globe, including to two World Youth Days.

The Richmond pilgrimage – accompanied by her husband, two sons and parish friends – were ‘great’.

“The weather was good, there was a big turn out and it was interesting,” she said.

“We ended up at St John’s a bit earlier than planned so we had half an hour of reflection and prayer and time to think about why we were there with the Jubilee.

“It was lovely praying together and showing that kind of community spirit. It really shows that we have such a strong parish community, and driving all the way out to Richmond to walk between churches is testament to that.

“We also had a lovely afternoon tea.”

Stephanie said the pilgrimage was very family-oriented and also highlighted the joy that came from celebrating the Jubilee as a parish.

“It was very positive, spending time with parishioners, and walking and talking,” she added.

Joan Aiken has been a Kingston-Channel parishioner for more than half a century and said that despite the challenges of climbing up steps on the way to St John’s, she particularly enjoyed walking ‘as one’ with a cross-section of the parish.

“An enjoyable day was had by all as it gave us an opportunity to meet up with parish members who usually [attend] different Mass times,” Joan added.

Roberto and Liziane de Figueiredo Brito have been Kingston-Channel parishioners since moving from Brazil three years ago. The pilgrimage was their first visit to St John’s Church at Richmond.

“It was beautiful to see the church full of faithful people praying together,” they said.

“In this Jubilee year, the Catholic Church has given each one of us the grace to receive many blessings. It was a blessed opportunity to say and meditate on the Rosary mysteries during the travel.

“As we have the opportunity to receive indulgence, each one of us is called to prepare ourselves and do the steps to receive that grace.”

They enjoyed meeting other pilgrims and sharing their experiences. They hope to visit the three other Tasmanian Catholic churches chosen as pilgrimage destinations this year.

Meanwhile, Fr Delaney is encouraging parishioners to visit other churches in the parish, including St Brendan’s Church at Alonnah on Bruny Island, as part of a focus on journeys of hope.