Pentecost at Richmond: Many cultures united in faith
By Catherine Sheehan
Pentecost Sunday at St John’s in Richmond was a colourful celebration of different cultures coming together in unity to worship the one God.
For the special Sunday morning Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost on 8 June, parishioners were invited by Parish Priest Fr Fidelis Udousoro to wear the traditional costumes from their own cultural backgrounds.
The readings and the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass were given in different languages. The First Reading was in Gaelic, the Second Reading in Filipino, and the Gospel in Efik, a language spoken in southeastern Nigeria. Translations of each reading were also given in English.
Guna Sagar Doddi and his wife Bharati Pilla began attending the Richmond Parish in January this year and both proudly wore their traditional attire from the land of their birth, India.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the Pentecost celebrations,” Guna said. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to our parish priest, Fr Fidelis, for preparing the parishioners so well for the occasion.
“We especially loved the diversity on display,” he added. “The beautiful traditional attire, multicultural prayers, and the music. It was wonderful to witness so many cultures united in faith.”
Guna moved to Australia in 2019 and his wife joined him in 2023 following their marriage. They are both from the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. While Guna was raised a Catholic, Bharati converted in 2023.
Both say they have felt welcomed in the Richmond Parish.
“We love the welcoming atmosphere and the strong sense of community,” Bharati said. “The parish is vibrant, inclusive, and truly feels like a spiritual home to us.
“From the very beginning, we felt embraced and supported by the parish community – especially by our parish priest. It has been a very warm and uplifting experience.”
Guna added: “Richmond Parish truly reflects the beauty of a multicultural Catholic community. The Pentecost celebration was a powerful reminder of how the Holy Spirit brings people together in joy and worship.”
In his homily Fr Fidelis spoke of the message of the Second Reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.
“The Second Reading said the Spirit of God brings oneness, brings unity,” Fr Fidelis said. “And I think this message needs to be preached again and again and again, even in families, even in the Church, even in places of work. Let there be oneness, let there be unity.”
Fr Fidelis said the Holy Spirit can help to overcome differences between people by inspiring us with the love and wisdom of God.
“The Spirit of God comes to give us understanding, to give us wisdom, to give us knowledge, to give us fear or reverence of the Lord.
“So let this day not be just another day, let us think about those gifts of the Holy Spirit, because when we were baptised, we received those gifts.
“When we gather here to worship God, it is the same Spirit who brings you here. It is the same Spirit who gathers us together. It is through the same Spirit that you were confirmed in this Catholic faith.”
Following the Mass parishioners enjoyed a sumptuous lunch consisting of cuisines from various countries including Sweden, Mexico, Canada, Slovenia, Holland, India, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
A special Pentecost cake was also shared in celebration of the birth of the Church, that moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in the Upper Room.
Mavis Fitzgerald, who was born in Richmond and has been a parishioner there her entire life, also celebrated her 89th birthday on Pentecost Sunday. She said the Pentecost celebrations were “truly amazing” and that she went home “with a big smile” on her face.
“Seeing all the different food there from everybody was absolutely wonderful, and asking everybody about the dishes and finding out about different cultures was very interesting as well,” she said.
Parish Secretary Andrea Probert said she found the readings in different languages during Mass “a moving moment”.
“The Pentecost celebrations within our parish were truly a special occasion, bringing different cultures together as one,” Andrea said.
“I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide and inspire our parish family.”