It may have been a hot, muggy day in the middle of harvest but that did not dampen the spirits of young families involved in a Youth Mass at St Mary’s Parish, Birchip. This was followed by a morning tea and fundraiser for a children’s centre in Peru.

Children from the Birchip Parish ran the Liturgy and musicians and singers were beautifully led by our musical producer, Joan Glen. Modern songs such as ‘One day’ by Matisyahu and ‘Fix You’ by Cold Play were sung, along with classics such as ‘If I had a Hammer’ and ‘O Happy Day’. Also, teenager Alexandra Randall played keyboard for ‘Companions on the Journey’ at the Offertory.

The major attraction of the Mass were the fifteen plus 5 – 9 year olds executing a liturgical dance at the processional followed by Fr Eugene McKinnon. This was choreographed by Karleigh Martin and delighted the congregation no end, setting the scene for an enthusiastic fundraising and morning tea for the Children’s Centre of Yanaoca in Peru.

Over $600 was raised with lucky dips, nail painting, a ball throwing competition and a golf putting comp. Fr Eugene was banned from the putting comp due to his golfing prowess, however he was allowed to enter the basketball hoop throwing comp!

The major draw card was the introduction of a Dutch auction. Gifts, toys and lollies were wrapped in newspaper and auctioned by Paul Lowry, very enthusiastically with his spotters Roger Lehmann, Maureen Donnellon and Bern O’Donnell. Over $250 was raised from this activity.

If you have never run a Dutch auction before, have a go. You will find that adults love bidding on random unseen goods!

It was a delightful family day, where new parishioners were able to meet others in our parish community and were encouraged to revisit us again in the near future. 

Noeline Hogan, Parishioner