You don’t usually get an archbishop, the state governor, TV celebrities, opera divas, and full orchestra turning up at a humble suburban parish for Christmas carols. But then again, there aren’t many carols nights like those at the church of the Holy Family in Maroubra.
On 8 December, hundreds of people from all walks of life braved an extraordinarily balmy evening for the 21st annual Christmas Carols with Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP.
Once again the archbishop was the principal celebrant. He told The Catholic Weekly that the carols are an extraordinary concert hosted by an ordinary parish.
“It really is cathedral-scale,” the archbishop said.
“We have the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and all of these politicians, civil leaders, religious leaders, all sorts of people here…it’s choc-a-block and a great tribute to what is a group of musicians who get together to put this on once a year; it’s not a standing orchestra or choir.
“We have opera divas, and all sorts who want to be part of this.
“I think it’s a bit of a challenge to the rest of our parishes…what special things do you do, or could you do?
“How could we raise the standard of music in our parishes?
“If they can do it here, you can do it in your place.”
The evening kicked off with the soloists from the choir meeting with Governor Beazley.
One of the soloists this year was leading tenor for Opera Australia, Diego Torre, who produced goose bumps with his powerful rendition of the Processional Carol—Once in Royal David’s City.
The audience was instructed by master of ceremonies Dr Matthew Lennon that this was indeed a “solemn carol service and not a performance, so please remain seated.”
But it certainly felt like a performance for the ages, with the fabulous World Youth Day Orchestra providing the soundtrack for a repertoire of traditional carols ranging from O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Magnum Mysterium, and the ubiquitous Silent Night, through to Do you Hear What I Hear, Gesu Bambino, I saw Three Ships, and Joy to the World.
The evening also included scripture readings and hymns and concluded with a rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful that lifted the roof off the church.
One of those in attendance was renowned TV celebrity Chris Brown, better known as the Bondi Vet. He told The Catholic Weekly that the Maroubra carols night is one of his passions.
“I’ve been to these carols many times, so I’m almost a regular,” Chris said.
“I’m a local, from nearby Coogee and this is a very special community event, and it’s always a signal to me that Christmas is here. If I’m not sweating in the front row of the carols, it’s not Christmas.
“It’s a great tradition and done very well by Mark Schembri. Mark is a very special guy, and an asset to this area. He does an incredible job.”
Just before the carols commenced, The Catholic Weekly caught up with the indefatigable organiser Dr Mark Schembri, Rector of St John’s College, University of Sydney.
“This is our 21st year, and I’ve been involved with all of them,” said Mark.
“A small group of us started this up after coming back from World Youth Day in Toronto.
“We did what Pope John Paul II told us to do when we returned to our parish—to go back into our parish, work hard and build it up and contribute.
“These carols are a result of that.
“We’ve had the Governor General of Australia here in 2016. And we’ve always had Cardinal Pell, or Archbishop Fisher with us. It’s wonderful.”
Parish priest Fr Alan Casqejo PP said the success of the event wasn’t just because of the beautiful music.
“It’s also the beauty of the liturgy and the presence of the people. We have a very diverse community here in Maroubra.”
Altar server Will McManus made the three-hour road trip up from St Augustine’s in Yass as he has done for the past 14 years.
“It’s my job to carry the scriptures into the church,” says William. “I love it. These are beautiful carols, there’s no Jingle Bells or Mariah Carey here.”