Fr Chaplain's first Baptism

On Sunday July 26, Fr Chaplain Soma, Assistant Curate to the Anglican Parish of Footscray and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, officiated at his first Baptism. St John's, Paisley St, looked splendid as it welcomed young Hayden William Burridge into the Christian fold. Hayden behaved beautifully for Fr Chaplain ... no wriggles, squirms or tears, rather a lovely smile and a very peaceful demeanor.

The Footscray Anglican Parish is united in its joy and encouragement for those who come to be Baptised. We wish Hayden well on his journey as a disciple of Christ ... AMDG!

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - 26 July 2009

Readings this week
2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21

8am Mass @ St George's
Celebrant and Preacher: Fr Fred Dearnley

9:30am Mass @ St John's
Celebrant and preacher: Fr Chaplain Soma

Baptism of Hayden William Burridge

9.30am Mass @ All Saints
Celebrant and preacher: Fr Fred Dearnley

Two upcoming exciting events in the parish.

Event ONE

Saturday August 15, 2:00 - 4.30pm.

Old Time Tea Dance - Bluestone Hall, Pickett Street, Footscray.

Come along for an afternoon of family fun as we do some brazen fundraising for the parish!

Ron Trigg will be heading up the music, and Melbourne's lady of jazz, Pippa Wilson will be a special guest...

All the old time favourite dances such as the Pride of Erin, the Waltz, the Evening three-step and more will be taught [for those of us who have little idea about how to go about it] by Val and Noel Lennox.

There will be dancing games (like the Monte Carlo) and raffles...great fun to be had by all!

At just $10 per waged person, $5 per unwaged person and $15 per family - you are gauranteed to get value for your money!

In light of the nature of the event, we are being unashamedly sexist (and not very politically correct!) and asking the ladies to bring a plate, and the men to bring a bottle of soft drink please (no alcohol, thank you).

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Event TWO

As part of the Big West Festival - St John's Anglican Church, Paisley Street, will play host to a choral concert featuring 5 choirs within the parish of Footscray.

The concert will take place on Saturday Nov 21, 4.00 - 6.00pm followed by light refreshments.

The performing choirs will be from:

• the Indian community
• the Tongan community
• the Chinese community
• the Sudanese community
• the St John's Sunday community

Ticket pricing: Waged $15, Unwaged $12, Family $25

Amongst other things, there will be some community singing in the style of "the last night of the Proms". *WATCH THIS SPACE*

An Anglican Blessing...

On Sunday July 19, Mother Moira was invited by members of the Indian Community who worship at St John's - to not only attend the celebratory lunch which followed the baptism of Raj's niece in the local Catholic church...but to also give little Marley an Anglican Blessing! Of course, Mother Moira had no hesitation in participating in this delightful occasion.

The Laverton Bowling Club was decked out in hundreds of pastel & hot pink and pearl coloured helium balloons with their long curling ribbon tails providing a wonderful maze to walk through - and a traditional crib was placed at the front of the gathering, appropriately and beautifully decorated. It was in to this, that Marley was ceremoniously placed by an Aunty and duly blessed by Mother Moira. There was also the traditional cake ceremony - which, thankfully, Mother Moira was ready for :o) [and gratefully, there is no photographic proof of that...we are not as adept as the Indian community at this tradition!] and sumptuous Indian feast prepared by Marley's grandmother...

Baptisms and Confirmations - July 12, 2009

On July 12, All Saints Anglican Church in North Footscray played host to a lively and joyous celebration of 13 Baptisms and 12 Confirmations by the Bishop of the North-Western Region, Philip Huggins.

Cultural Diversity...

On any given Sunday morning - or indeed during the week - as many as nine different cultures can be represented in the pews of our parish. There are Sudanese and Eritreans, Chinese Malaysians and Vietnamese, Tongans and other Pacific Islanders, Indians and some from the Middle East and of course the Anglo's! This makes for lively and colorful worship (and many culinary delights for the vicar)...these are hospitable and joyous people who have a great, deep and profound love of God. Each parish centre has had it's own particular cultural focus...which continues to this day -but the vision is that some of the boundaries will begin to blur, as combined Masses take place and the multicultural body of Christ in this place will continue to grow and blend... "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam" [AMDG].

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - July 19 2009

Readings this week
2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ps 89:21-38, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

8am Mass @ St George's
Celebrant: Mother Moira Evers

Preacher: Rev Sue Hurran

9:30am Mass @ St John's
Celebrant and preacher: Fr Chaplain Soma

9.30am Mass @ All Saints
Celebrant: Mother Moira Evers

Preacher: Rev Sue Hurran

4.30pm Children's Mass
Celebrant: Mother Moira Evers

Preacher: Jane Trigg

Hot Dog dinner and pictionary to follow...

Tastes and Textures of 'Little Saigon'

Footscray continues to amaze me ... just when I thought Footscray market was "it," I stumbled across the so called "Little Saigon" market in Nicholson Street. Amidst a jumble of shopfronts - traditional Chinese medicine (massage and acupuncture), Vietnamese jewellery, candy, cds, cigarettes and sports socks - emerged the vibrant palette of colours, textures, tastes ... and smells (thanks to some very enthusiastic stall holders) that is Footscray.

I invite you to enjoy some of the textures of "Little Saigon" ... through this photographic essay. If you want to experience the tastes be sure to visit!