Fremantle Basilica hosts night of song and reflection in lead-up to Christmas

11 Jan 2017

By The Record

Senior Lecturer of Theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA), Dr Angela McCarthy, speaks at the Catholic Mission event, ‘Finding a Place,’ held in St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle. Photo: Caroline Smith

By Caroline Smith

St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle welcomed 220 people to an inaugural evening of carols, sacred music and readings reflecting on the compassionate message of Christmas on 15 December 2016.

Hosted by Catholic Mission with the support of Notre Dame University Fremantle Campus, CBC Fremantle and St Patrick’s School, the event was entitled ‘Finding a Place’, and involved a number of performers, including soprano Eva-Marie Middleton, bass singer Christopher Waddell, violinist Paul Wright, trumpeter Tracey Harris, along with St Patrick’s organist and Director of Music, Dominic Perissinotto and the Basilica choir.

Readings were given by Catholic Mission supporters, and began with Old Testament scriptures preceding the birth of Jesus, through to gospels outlining the Holy Family’s journey into Egypt, fleeing from King Herod.

St Patrick’s Basilica choir together with organist and Music Director, Dominic Perissinotto, bass singer, Christopher Waddell, and soprano Eva-Marie Middleton at ‘Finding a Place’, hosted by Catholic Mission on 15 December. Photo: Caroline Smith

A reflection on these readings was provided by University of Notre Dame Australia Senior Lecturer in Theology, Dr Angela McCarthy, who spoke of the role Jesus came to play in the world, and how the circumstances of His birth resonated with today’s refugee crisis.

She began with the first two readings from Isaiah and Micah, which indicate the kind of leader predicated by early prophets, and how this ties in with the character of Jesus.

“These two readings give us a sense of the desire of the Jews to have someone who would lead them to peace, safety, justice and righteousness,” Dr McCarthy said.

“This is what the prophets proclaimed to the people and this is what we, as Christians, understand to be the role that Jesus fulfils for us.”

As she went on to describe the perils faced by the Holy Family, Dr McCarthy commented on readings which told of the Massacre of the Innocents and the arrival of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, both of which feature King Herod determination to kill the child Jesus.

St Patrick’s Basilica choir with singers Eva-Marie Middleton and Christopher Waddell, musicians Professor Paul Wright and Tracey Harris, organist and Basilica Music Director Dominic Perissinotto, UNDA’s Dr Angela McCarthy, Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission Francis Leong (back row second right) and, Donor Relations Officer for Catholic Mission, Katie Hunt (front row, fourth right). Photo: Caroline Smith

“Imagine how it must have been for these refugees from violence, imagine their fear of the unknown, the fear for the future of Jesus,” she said.

“Escaping from death like Syrian refugees today. Like other refugees and asylum seekers the world over. How does that fear affect what they do and who they turn to?

“This image shows us that God’s love is evident even in the suffering. God so loved the world and all of creation that he became human in his beloved Son, Jesus of Nazareth.”

Music on the night included traditional carols such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night and Once in Royal David’s City, along with and introductory organ recital, pieces from Handel’s Messiah and Michael Tippett’s oratorio A Child of Our Time, and a violin performance of Iganz Heinrich Biber’s Passacaglia.

Speaking to The eRecord, Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission, Francis Leong, said he had received much positive feedback since the event, particularly in relation to the violin solo.

“Many described it as a moment when God spoke directly to their hearts… that something truly transcendent was being experienced, as if God was both weeping with us for all the suffering in our world today, and consoling us with tears of hope,” he said.

“In a very special way, it perfectly sums up the reason why Catholic Mission and their supporters hosted this inaugural Christmas event and will continue to do so in the years to come.”