SESQUI-CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Despite the attractions of footy and Fathers' Day celebrations, a large number of people turned out for the sesqui-centenary celebrations at St Mary's East St Kilda on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2003.

A fete to raise money for the restoration of St Mary's Bell, originally cast in Dublin in 1869 and restored by Bagots Bell Foundries in Adelaide was held on Saturday and was a success despite our concerns about the weather. Around $3000 was raised - a very good effort!

A large number of parishioners and visitors were at a celebratory Mass on Sunday at 3.00pm celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart. We were delighted by the numbers that attended and in our midst we had Cr Melina Sehr, Mayor of Stonnington and Tony Lupton MP, Member for Prahran. A gospel group SOULED OUT, rendered some stirring gospel songs before the Mass. The congregational singing was augmented by members of CBC Brass Band and Presentation College Choir.

An informative homily was given by Archbishop Hart in which he outlined the history of St Mary's and the fact that it had been the mother church for so many of the adjoining parishes over a period of sixty years after its foundation. After the Mass everyone was invited to the Logue Hall in CBC for afternoon tea, which was very well decorated and laid out and there was plenty of food for all to enjoy.

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THEIR PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION.

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ASSISTED IN SO
MANY WAYS TO MAKE ALL THIS POSSIBLE.