St Peter’s Surry Hills brought together Catholics from around the archdiocese and beyond for a night of joyful celebration of St Patrick’s Day, reclaiming the Catholic origins of the annual feast.
Parishioner Colm McCaughan said the whole parish had been involved in the preparations for the sold-out event.
“Whether it be by donating food, alcohol or helping clean, helping run the night—it’s just an event that really brings the parish together,” he said.
“We start the planning for it a few months out. Usually just simple things like booking the band etc. And then it really takes a couple of months to get most of leg work done.”
Starting off as a parish fundraiser for the purchase of a pipe organ in 2015, the annual dinner aims to raise funds for a certain charity or parish need.
“Since the first one, we ran it three to four times—except throughout COVID—and then it evolved into something bigger. We’ve always looked for new things to fundraise for,” Colm said.
“Hence why this year we picked the international food charity Mary’s Meals. A couple of years ago we fundraised to send people to World Youth Day.
“This year, when I met Lockie from Mary’s Meals I was so impressed by the charity I thought ‘What a great thing to partner with, let’s fundraise for that.’”
Alongside the charitable aspect to the event, the night itself is loved and celebrated by all who attend. With great music, incredible dancing and good food the Surry Hills St Patrick’s dinner dance has become a staple calendar event for Catholics throughout the archdiocese.
“It’s the Catholic event for the year,” said Alexandra. “It’s a night of good, wholesome fun.”
With tickets selling out well before the event each year, Colm attributes the success of the night to the proud Irish heritage of the parish and it being a positive alternative to just going to the pub.
“The fact that we have a lot of people here that have done, five, six, seven dances, you know, and they’re not even from the parish, that’s just testament to that it’s just a good night,” he said.
“So yeah, I’m very happy to hear that some people consider it the social event of the year. I just want people to have a good time and to honour the memory of St Patrick every year at this dance.”
