Nedlands marks 75 Years

09 Nov 2012

By Robert Hiini

Holy Rosary Parish Nedlands celebrated their 75th anniversary in splendour on the evening of Friday, October 26.

A packed Holy Rosary church saw Bishop Don Sproxton and 15 other priests join Parish Priest Fr Joseph Sobb SJ in celebrating Mass for the occasion.

The night was not just about celebrating a strong history, Bishop Sproxton said in his homily, but about where the parish wanted to go in the future.

Parishes today were vastly different from the way Nedlands would have been when it was established, he said, with a great deal more parishioner involvement in the practical services and liturgical celebration of the parish.

“We see many who present themselves, who prepare themselves for this [pastoral] ministry that they share with the priest, that he confides in them,” Bishop Don said.

The changes of the Second Vatican Council meant that a parish could become “all of the people’s parish”.

“The Spirit moved mightily in that council and what we have in our parishes today is very much a fruit of that council.

“These are the sorts of things that give me great joy in my visit to parishes … that give me the sense that our parish communities will be very important for the work of Christ, into the future.”

The Church needed to be open to the new ways in which people sought to live out their faith and even, religious vocations.

“A parish community needs to be open to new initiatives, shifts in priority … to answer the needs of its people.

“Maybe they will leave aside a more traditional way of doing things or a particular apostolate in order that a new sort of apostolate can be created to answer the needs that people have at that time. That’s what’s exciting and that’s what we find in those parishes we visit throughout the year,” Bishop Don said.

Bishop Sproxton noted during Mass that there was some confusion as to whether or not the parish was 75 or 81 years old.

A Record article from May 18, 1937, which was part of the parish’s historical display for the  anniversary confirmed that a completed Holy Rosary Church was blessed and opened by Archbishop Patrick Joseph Clune after being extended to hold more people.

One parishioner told The Record that Masses were said in a shop down on Broadway before the church opened.

The 35-strong parish choir, accompanied by organ, strings, woodwind and percussion provided soaring music throughout the celebration after many months of diligent practising.

Former Music Director Maureen Steffanoni, who had served in the position for more than 60 years, praised the direction of current Music Director Margaret Dey, who has served in the position since Easter.