Generations of parishioners came together to worship and celebrate 100 years of Holy Innocents’ parish, Croydon, in a luncheon and Mass presided over by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP on 1 December.
“I am delighted to be with you to celebrate the Eucharist as we begin a new liturgical year,” said the archbishop.
“Officially opened by Archbishop Michael Kelly in November 1924, after being built in double-quick time, this church has been nourishing the faithful of this district for 100 years now,” he said, reflecting on how the mission to evangelise continues to live on today.
Present alongside the hundreds of parishioners, were parish priest Monsignor Henryk Micek, Clr John Faker, the Mayor of Burwood; Mr Scott Manca, principal of Holy Innocents primary school; Fr Martins Aloga, Fr Janusz Bieniek, Fr George Gorzkowski; representatives of the Spiritan, Josephite and Augustinian sisters, along with the Charities and Presentation Sisters.
“We’re so thankful that you came to join in this celebration. I know there’s families from the past here and it’s so beautiful that everyone came together,” said Holy Innocents Catholic primary school principal, Scott Manca.
As part of the centenary celebration of the parish, Monsignor Micek managed to acquire first class relics of the Blessed Ulma family from Poland, who in 1944 with their seven children, were executed by the Nazis for hiding Polish-Jewish families fleeing persecution.
Having been declared martyrs and beatified last year by Pope Francis, archbishop Fisher said the Ulma family are a sign of “modern-day Holy Innocents who gave their lives for Christ and humanity.”
Building on family and the multicultural elements that make up the parish, the Italian community felt proud of what had been accomplished throughout the years and grateful for having been able to bring their Italian traditions to Croydon.
“The community is always beautiful, from young to old, nobody gets forgotten. It doesn’t matter where we come from, we are united, Italian, and Australian,” the group said.
Monsignor Micek added; “the Italian community has contributed a lot, and now thankfully we also have other people here as well.
“It’s a historical moment of being a community and having the church for 100 years which shows us that we are in the loving care of Jesus Christ.”
Annette, a Holy Innocents’ parishioner, whose mother died in 2015 and who was part of the founding of the parish 100 years ago, said her mother would have been proud to see the vibrancy and closeness of the community.
Reflecting on the years gone by, she said so much had changed, but the spirit of the parish had not.
“Fr Michael Tansey left a church that was flourishing, with parishioners who were ready to help as ours are today,” she said.
A sentiment shared by fellow parishioners Sofia, 22, and Xavier, 34, who say the community makes Holy Innocents what it is.
“I think the community is the most beautiful thing about this parish,” said Sofia.
“You walk in, and you get to know everyone. They take you in like one of their own and want the best for you and your future. That’s what the parish means to me.
“I’ve been fully accepted and loved and nurtured in my faith journey, which I’m so incredibly grateful for.”
“I’ve been the church pianist at Holy Innocents’ in Croydon since 2005; that’s 19 years of being the church pianist here,” said Xavier.
“It’s a small school, it’s a small parish, but quite loyal and committed. I mean I look around at all the people who really contributed and sacrificed to make today happen and I feel immense gratitude.
“That’s what I love about the parish here is that when it’s time to put in work, people don’t bat an eyelid. They’re like, ‘alright, what do you need?’ They don’t work hard for the recognition; the service is its own reward.”
