On Monday 28 May 2018 the members of The Australian Region of Salvatorians celebrated the Eucharist at St Patrick's Church at East Gosford, which has been under the pastoral care of The Salvatorians since 2003.
The parish is one of three at Broken Bay Diocese, which covers northern part of the city of Sydney and being looked after by Salvatorians. The Mass was concelebrated by 15 Salvatorians working in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales presided over by their Superior Fr Bronek Pietrusewicz. Our priests have gathered there as a part of their regular quarterly meetings, this time at the East Coast of the country to celebrate The Centenary of The Death of their founder, Fr Francis Jordan. The large congregation (as for Monday evening) of over 250 parishioners from Salvatorian parishes of Pymble, Pittwater and Gosford were praying for their priests and a beatification of their founder. The liturgy was enhanced with the music provided by renowned St Patrick's Parish Choir.
At the conclusion of the Mass a payer for The Centenary of The Death of Father Jordan was recited by all present and the priests sang in Polish a beautiful hymn honouring their religious congregation, Salvatorians, "Matko ma", ("My Mother").
After the liturgical celebration we gathered at the Parish Hall to be treated with a beautiful supper prepared by our hosts and the huge cake made especially for the occasion. It was a great way to get to know new people, catch up with our friends and especially with our priests.
We have been blessed with their ministry at our parishes, their leadership, example of Christian living and their encouragement to us all to serve others. As Fr Jordan would often say: "Until there is even one man, who doesn't know and doesn't love, Jesus Christ, The Saviour of the world, you cannot have a rest", we try to respond to his plea, and give witness to others.
The evening was enjoyed very much by all.
Ian McGuiness,
Parishioner from Gosford Parish
On Wednesday the celebrations of the Year of Jordan continued at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, with Most Rev Peter Comensoli, Bishop of Broken Bay celebrating Mass with our Community. Gathered around St Mary of the Cross tomb and having an example of our Founder, Fr Francis Jordan’s holy life, we were given a unique opportunity to reflect on our personal vocation and our call to holiness.