Archbishop Costelloe joins St Kieran’s Parish in honouring Our Lady of the Annunciation
It was a case of one good announcement deserving another on May 20 as Catholics marched in procession for Maria SS Annunziata – Our Lady of the Annunciation, at St Kieran’s Parish in Osborne Park.
This year, the annual celebration was a little different as devotees were joined by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.
After the 8.30am Mass, the Archbishop joined parish priest Fr Michael Gatt in meeting and greeting parishioners.
“He was so happy to be with us and we were too, to have met him,” Fr Gatt told The Record.
“Yes, he is a great asset to our Archdiocese and we have given him a very warm welcome.”
A solemn Mass was celebrated at 10am and the procession and benediction followed.
The Mass and procession was held after a Triduum – three days of Rosaries and Masses in the lead up to the occasion.
The origins of the local procession go back to 1971 when a replica statue of Mary was brought to WA from Sicily to St Kieran’s Church.
Parishioners from Raccuia in Italy formed the Maria Annunziata Association and the yearly devotion has been held ever since.
In Sicily, the annual Maria SS Annunziata festival will be celebrated on September 20-21.
Fr Gatt thanked association president Mr Vince Alessandrino and committee members for their work.