St. Luke's Parish

The Visit of the Statue of Our Lady Of Fatima to St. Luke’s Parish, Wantirna.

I have never been on a pilgrimage, but was always hoping when the time was right, that I would be able to do so, now if feel like I’ve been on one.

What an amazing Blessing, the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, visited our Parish, St. Luke’s in Wantirna, Our Church, my Church.

As part of the planning team, we saw a dvd of the Holy Father, Pope Francis Blessing the 6 Statues, that would then travel the world to different continents in honour of the Centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. The community later saw this dvd, and also that of the arrival of another of the Statues in Hong Kong. I knew then, that I was going to have a beautiful weekend.

Our Lady appeared to three shepherds in 1917, amongst olive trees and rocky mounds at Cova da Iria, Fatima in central Portugal. Our Lady appeared six times to the children: Lucia born 22nd March 1907, Francisco born 11th. June 1908 and Jacinta, 11th March 1910, who were cousins, between the months of May to October. Prior to her appearing, they had been visited by the Angel of Peace on three occasions asking them to pray for the conversion of sinners. Our Lady appeared before them, radiantly surrounded by a brilliant light. She told them not to be afraid, and asked them to come to her, on the 13th day for the next six months. With the grace of Our Lady they were not afraid, and agreed to meet her again. They could not contain themselves, and did tell others of what they had seen, as like many prophets were ridiculed. Our Lady asked them to say the Rosary for peace. Our Lady showed them a vision of hell, and the suffering souls there. To save them, God wished that the world would pray to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This time was said to be the darkest of the peoples of Europe. Post war, Our Lady said prayers would conversion of Russia. On the last visit many people witness the dancing sun. Francisco and Jacinta both died as children and Lucia joined the Dorothean Sisters, and died in 2005.

How can we not be touched by such events. Faith is a journey of trusting and believing, of opening our hearts to be taught, nurtured and loved. For those of us lucky enough to have faith filled Parents, and attend Catholic Schools, where faith was taught, pray encouraged, and in my case lovely Mercy Nuns who, thought that each one of us would become a Nun. How lucky were we.

We talked about what it would be like logistically, what we needed to do, and when, how things would be done, but what we didn’t do was plan and know how it was going to touch our hearts and minds, and give such a feeling of peace and contentment.

The Statue came to us through the Sisters and Brothers of the Alliance of the Two Hearts, and started on Friday 24th. February at 8.30am. The Statue was welcomed by Parishioners and the children from St. Luke’s Primary School, along with their teachers, and we were asked to wave small blue or white flags in her honour. Our Parish Priest, Fr. Joseph Amal SDB Celebrated Mass for us, to honour Our Lord and Our Lady.

To preserve the Statue, we were not allowed to touch it. Our Lady’s face was angelic and beautiful, being elevated and with lighting, we were all able to see her and sense and feel her grace throughout the Church.

The Statue then went to Villa Maria Catholic Homes, Wantirna, where the Rosary was recited, and a pledge read by those who attended. Those who wished to receive a scapular where given one, and anointed.

During the afternoon, the School Children and Parishioners attended a “Living Rosary”, rosary recited, in conjunction with blue and white helium filled balloons, forming Rosary beads which was later released into the sky to share our prayers and faith over Wantirna.

Friday evening: a welcoming procession, Mass in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the recitation of St. John Paul 11’s consecration prayer, followed by a Reparation Vigil, we were given a teaching by Brothers, telling us some of the history, and the need for prayer and repentance. On Saturday morning at 2.00 am Mass was celebrated again by Fr. Joseph in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Those Present recited the Rosary which was done with great reverence, peace and joy. Our Church has never been so quiet, no noise, nobody speaking, just sitting or kneeling, and receiving the grace that was flowing freely upon us. I can normally have a Nanna nap in my chair at any time, but it was 3.15am. and I was still very much awake. It was all very emotional, so I knew that Our Lady was touching, Blessing and healing me.

Bright and early start on Saturday, quiet veneration, followed by a Healing Mass. Everyone was asked to come forward for an anointing, for physical ill ness, spiritual needs, or just for an infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Family reflection in the afternoon on the Call to Communion of Reparation. Between the sessions, Brothers from the Alliance of the Two Hearts, gave teaching about the need to pray, and repent, and to change the way we live our lives, and to think what our priorities might be. If we are true to our selves and our commitment to Our Lord and Our Lady, then all things are possible, as was the consecration and conversion of Russia, and the ongoing need for prayers for peace in the world. Rosary was again recited. Throughout the sessions the Church was full, we also had the Eucharist Lord present of the Altar continually. Again we all left the Church elated and Grace filled.

We had the honour of a visit by the Vicar General Monsignor Greg Bennett, who Concelebrated Mass with Fr. Joseph at our usual Saturday evening Mass.

Sunday Morning 8.30am Mass as usual in the presence of the beautiful statue. Followed by a Family Consecration/Enthronment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mass followed, with the Church full of worshipers.

Our choirs were present at some of the Masses, and everyone sang with enthusiasm joy offering all the voice they had to give.

We do the same things over and over, but this weekend was a special time to promote prayer and penance in our lives, to be reminded that we can’t remain the same, we need to grow in the Spirit, and allow ourselves to be taken on a journey of faith, prayer and discovery. We need to open our hearts, and ask the Lord to take our hand and lead us to wherever he takes us. We recite the Lord Prayer, “they will be done”, but sometimes we might not really mean the words or gloss over them. We need to be aware and say the words with conviction and be fearless. Opportunities like this, awakens every sense our being, and our faith and our hearts. We won’t ever be the same again. I spoke to a chap who is physically large, with a great presence, who told me “ She got to Me”. She, Our Lady got to us all, and we won’t ever be the same again, we have journeyed onwards in our lives, our hearts are renewed, and we now will think and act differently.

Sunday finished with a Rosary Procession, followed by a Living Rosary, and Floral Offering, we were pilgrims on a journey, previous Parish Priests were not in favour of Processions. We did it, we loved it, professing our faith as Catholics , doing yet another thing we hadn’t done before. Our Church, named in honour of St. Luke will never be the same again.

We were all tired, but another two visits to Villa Maria Catholic Homes in Balwyn and Mulgrave, the following days, an opportunity to pray with those in care. Each home had a different feel, it was wonderful to see how the oldies reacted, and as their hearts were touched, so were ours, yet again.

I am a very emotional person, tears flow for the sad and the happy, how could they not flow now. I am not a writer, and I can’t really put into words, how life changing and beautiful this weekend has been for me and for those present. It was such a special event, and it won’t happen again for this generation.

How privileged are we in Wantirna, to have had such a beautiful event. Our Lady will now travel around Victoria until the end of March, with the love and care of the Sisters and Brothers of the Alliance of the Two Hearts, who no doubt, have been renewed in their Ministry and Prayer Life too.

Not only the Parishioners of St Luke’s, but many from neighbouring Parishes we cannot be the same again, we are changed – transformed and loved.

This morning at Mass, I was thinking that this weekend some other Parish will be transformed, and Blessed, and this will continue for the next 12 months.

From the Blessing of the Statue by Pope Francis, to the Blessing of our Parish of St. Luke, and the Blessing and touching of our hearts. We need to pray every day for a change of heart, a deeper love for Our Lord and God, and the Grace and Blessings of Our Lady. We should never take anything for granted, our Faith is a Gift from God. We are Catholics proclaim our Faith and be proud of it.

Christina Williams.

View St. Luke's Fatima Centennial Complete Gallery

The parish priest, Rev. Joseph Amal db, announced the statue would visit the parish for Friday 24/02 and the weekend of 25,26/02.

Personally, being an Anglo- Australian, not given to displaying emotions, boys don’t cry. , this news did not make a great impact on me. The Rosary is one of those prayers I was forced to say, in a group, when I was younger. I always got it wrong, the incorrect decade, too many or not enough Hail Mary’s. And I was loudly chastised for this, so I went back into my shell.

The statue was sponsored by the nuns and brothers of the Alliance of the Two Hearts who had brought it from Lisbon, Portugal. The statue had been blessed by the Pope. On Friday the statue, with gold crown, rosary and scapular, was carried in procession into the church. Children from the parish school and their parents along with the parishioners from our own and other parishes.

I arrived Friday night for Mass. Before Mass the statue was carried in procession around the church, attended by faithful singing “Ave Maria”. After mass evening devotions began readings prayers and sermons. As the evening drew into the next day I was less interested in the statue and was aware of what it signified. Mary, the Mother of God, was with me. , I felt.

Mary is the only human to have carried and cared for the Son of God. As a husband and parent I feel she understands the trials and problems that I under go. As a consequence she is someone dear to me, someone who understands. When the weekend finished despite my lukewarm initial reception of this visit I am glad Mary visited and blessed us.

Chris Manchee