Parish News
The ‘Racing Mass’ is celebrated on the Sunday prior to the May Warrnambool Racing Carnival at St Joseph’s Church, Warrnambool. Members of the Warrnambool Racing Committee attend and trophies of the more significant races are on display.
Many visitors gather for this annual celebration, as well as parishioners. Fr John Fitzgerald celebrated Mass, which was his last as parish priest of the South West Coast Parish, as he retires at the end of July. Fr John has been Parish Priest in the area for 22 years.
Trainers and owners are also involved with the ‘Racing Mass’. A number of their colours are displayed. They add colour and atmosphere as people enter the Gathering Space.
In 2013, a papier-mache horse was created by two Jesuits in Tertianship, Fr Hoa Dinh and Fr Thu Nguyen, who had led the Retreat in Daily Life that year. Fr Hoa is a talented artist and, during the time with the parish, he sculpted figures from papier mâché to be used as a prayer focus during the Retreat. The horse was their contribution to the Carnival even though they knew little about horses. Fr Hoa also sculpted Mary and baby Jesus as a prayer focus.
South West Coast Parish