Columbans hit the high notes

100 years of Columban Mission

Photos pages 5-7: Missionary Society of St Columban &  Melbourne Catholic, Archdiocese of Melbourne

In a packed St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne on Sunday June 24, 2018, Columban benefactors along with Superior General Fr Kevin O’Neill, Regional Director of Australia and New Zealand Fr Brian Vale, ten Columban and two diocesan priests concelebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with the Archbishop of Melbourne, Most Reverend Denis Hart.

Columban relatives, co-workers and supporters, Bernadette Hevey, Jennifer Ryan and David Butler took part in the Mass as readers. Therese Dargan and Mary Tankey presented the offertory gifts. It was a memorable moment for Mary Tankey, a Columban staff member and also a niece of Columban missionary, Fr Bernard Way (Dec).

Before the commencement of Mass, Archbishop Hart incensed a relic of St Columban placed in a reliquary at the base of the sanctuary steps.

In welcoming everyone to the Cathedral for the centenary Mass, Archbishop Hart pointed out that the day’s feast, the Feast of St John the Baptist, had a wonderful parallel in the life of St Columban himself and in the society of missionaries founded in his name 100 years ago, “a missionary society which seeks to do precisely as Columban and John the Baptist did, to go before the Lord proclaiming his coming and his salvific power.”

In his homily, the Archbishop again referred to the work of the Columbans. "They do what John the Baptist did", he said and told the story of the initial fundraising of the fledgling society in Australia, kick-started with a gift of 100 pounds from then Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix. "Thus did our long association with the Columbans begin", reminisced His Grace. "It is a connection, and a wonderful connection, that continues between our Archdiocese and the Columbans to this very day".

Photos pages 5-7: Missionary Society of St Columban &  Melbourne Catholic, Archdiocese of Melbourne

In his remarks at the conclusion of the Mass, Superior General Fr Kevin O’Neill spoke about the Centenary pilgrim altar cloth that covered the altar for the Mass. It was made up of 16 pieces of cloth that had come from each of the countries where Columban Missionaries serve.

Fr Kevin also spoke about the vision of the founders of the Missionary Society of St Columban. It was the catch phrase, “Millions of Chinese to be won for Christ” that was the prize that enchanted two young Irish priests, Frs Edward Galvin and John Blowick, in initiating the Missionary Society of St Columban.

Fr Kevin said, “during this Centenary year, we pray for our benefactors, our families, relatives and friends. For 100 years you have supported Columban Missionaries around the world. Without you we would not be celebrating our centenary here today.” He thanked all the benefactors, some of whom had travelled far to join the celebrations.

The recessional hymn, 'High is the heaven, deep is the sea', a hymn to St Columban was composed in 2015 by Liam Lawton in Ireland to mark the 1400th anniversary of St Columban’s death. It is a hymn that calls to mind the contemporary Columban concerns of justice and peace, care for the earth and reconciliation between peoples.

Following the conclusion of the Mass, supporters gathered at Cathedral Hall where Fr Brian Vale performed the Acknowledgement of Country before refreshments were served. In front of the stage Columban Fr Tony Cox had created a magnificent centenary display of images and artefacts from the countries where Columbans serve.

Photos pages 5-7: Missionary Society of St Columban &  Melbourne Catholic, Archdiocese of Melbourne

While the guests were enjoying the refreshments, Columban missionaries, Frs Kevin Mullins and George Hogarty, shared some of their missionary experiences, Fr Kevin reflecting on his time in Juarez, Mexico, one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and Fr George speaking about his time in Peru and his current role of promoting Columban Mission in Australia. It was a wonderful and fitting celebration of 100 years of Columban mission and an occasion for ‘Sharing Gospel Joy’.

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