The parish of Wanneroo celebrated the feast of its patron, St Anthony of Padua, on Sunday June 16.
Even though the actual feast is June 13, the parish generally celebrates as a community on the first Sunday after the feast day.
This year was the 81st time that Wanneroo has marked this important occasion by processing along Servite Terrace with the statue of St Anthony.
The celebrations began with a special Mass at 11am in honour of St Anthony. Immediately after the Mass, the congregation retired to the grounds of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, where there was a festival atmosphere of different foods, fresh local produce, a chocolate wheel and of course, a piety stall.
The crowd then filled the church in preparation for the procession, which has to be seen to be believed. The different Italian Faith Associations marched behind parish priest, Fr John Daly, assistant priest Fr Thomas Zureich, Servite Fr Chris Ross and former St Anthony’s student, Fr Giles.
Immediately in front of them flags were carried by students from the different parish schools.
When the procession arrived back into the church Fr Thomas preached in Italian and Fr John shared a few stories about St Anthony. The service concluded with Benediction.
It was a terrific day for our parish and for all the devotees of St Anthony who came along to celebrate this extraordinary saint’s feast.