Migrants and refugees praised for their vitality at annual Multicultural Mass

Archbishop Prowse greets members of the African Choir

Commitments to faith, family, and a sense of fun, were just some of the much-lauded values migrant communities brought to their new life in Australia, according to Archbishop Christopher Prowse. 

The Archbishop was speaking before a packed St Christopher’s Cathedral during last Sunday’s celebration of the Archdiocese’s annual Multicultural Mass.

He was joined by clergy of Filipino, Vietnamese, and Korean ancestry as concelebrants, as well as visiting clergy from the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Sydney.

During his homily, the Archbishop praised our migrant and refugee communities for the vitality they gave to the Catholic Church, especially through their belief in married and family life and their ability to persevere in the face of adversity. He also said they knew how to laugh. 

He encouraged the communities not to hold back from playing an active part in their parishes. 

“Speak up, tell us about marriage, family life, about what the Catholic faith means under duress,” he said.

Representatives from the Archdiocese’s Anglo-Indian, African, Spanish-speaking, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean and Indonesian communities played an active part in the liturgy. 

The African community were especially colourful participants with their drums and singing.

Ambassadors and staff from the Canberra-based diplomatic missions of the Philippines, El Salvador, Cuba, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, and the United Nations were also represented at the celebration.

The Archbishop specifically thanked the communities for their “practical gift” of contributing to the ranks of the clergy, the religious orders, and the “wonderful Catholic lay faithful” within the Archdiocese. 

He introduced “one of your sons”, seminarian Mark Ha, who undertook the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders before the Archbishop at the Mass. 

With his mother watching the live stream from Vietnam, the seminarian publicly and formally declared his intention to proceed towards Holy Orders. He is expected to be ordained a transitional deacon later this year on his path to the priesthood.

“Your stories are the hidden treasure of Australia,” the Archbishop said to round off his words of tribute and appreciation to our multicultural communities.

Video of this year’s celebration is available at Multicultural Mass 2023