St Francis of Assisi Newton Parish

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee:

That this council—

1. Recognises that the St Francis of Assisi Newton parish celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023 and notes a special publication will be released in 2024 to mark 70 years of legacy and achievements;

2. Acknowledges the important work of St Francis of Assisi Newton parish in preserving Italian heritage, cultural traditions and religious beliefs;

3. Commends the significant positive social and cultural impacts that St Francis of Assisi Newton parish has had on the local community by fostering religious, cultural ties and community links between Italy and Adelaide; and

4. Congratulates parish priests, community leaders and volunteers of St Francis of Assisi Newton parish for their dedication and wonderful support to providing a sanctuary for the local community to gather on special occasions and for organising community events and celebrations which promote interculturalism and multiculturalism in South Australia.

(Continued from 16 May 2024.)

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (17:15): The 70^th anniversary of the St Francis of Assisi Catholic parish in Newton is a wonderful achievement for the Italian community in South Australia. In the early 1950s the Catholic Archdiocese in South Australia recognised a need to serve the significant arrival of Italian migrants settling in Adelaide, and the Archdiocese sought the assistance of the Franciscan Capuchin order to provide spiritual and practical support for these migrants.

On 4 October 1953, the Franciscan Capuchin order had its first mass at the newly built church, which also served as the very first Italian community centre. More than 3,000 people, who were mostly Italian, attended. The mass was also attended by Frank Walsh, who would later become Premier, the Italian Minister for Australia Dr Silvio Daneo, and the Consul Mr Luca Dainelli. This was a pivotal moment for the growing Italian migrant community, and indeed the state. This acknowledgement of the need to serve the Italian community was one of the first community-led introductions to the essence of multiculturalism in our state.

From the very beginning the Capuchin Franciscan friars have been a constant source of strength and comfort for parishioners. For seven decades they have provided pastoral care to tens of thousands of worshippers, and have dedicated themselves to following the teachings of the founder of the order, St Francis of Assisi. The departure of the Capuchin friars from the parish earlier this year was a sad time, but I know Fathers Eldridge and John got a lovely sendoff. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the years of devoted service the worshippers have given to the Catholic Church.

While the departure of the Capuchin friars represents a new chapter in the life of the church and the community, their works and influence are beautifully captured in the book that was launched a few weeks ago.

For decades the parish has been a place to come together to celebrate festas and special occasions, but also to gather together as family and friends. This special relationship between the community and parish is one that goes back many years, and perhaps spans multiple generations. However long this relationship may be, the unwavering faith in the Catholic Church, as well as the support and service to the local Catholic community, is commendable and deeply appreciated.

The community has added its own chapter to the rich history of Italian migration in South Australia, particularly in our eastern and north-eastern suburbs. We should also remember the many other individuals who have made lasting contributions to the parish. We honour all those who have served as volunteers and on festa committees, who have sung in the choir, worked in the kitchen or in the hall, or visited the elderly and isolated to give them communion. For these unsung heroes the church is as much a part of their social life as it is of their spiritual life.

Their combined efforts have made this parish what it is today, and has led to St Francis of Assisi having a special place in the heart of the community. The community has also become a beacon for new Catholic migrants who have come to settle in the area.

It is fantastic seeing at the festas community members from all backgrounds enjoying and celebrating together, but also supporting each other. We must also recognise the efforts of the community to include the wider South Australian public to the wonderful festas and celebration. These were some of the first symbols of interculturalism but it was also an important foundation in establishing relationships with governments. Many events today are worked through with councils and state government, and this was really started with communities such as the St Francis of Assisi parish and their festas.

On 10 April this year, to mark the occasion, the minister, the Hon. Zoe Bettison, hosted with the Premier leaders of the community to officially launch the book at Parliament House. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the written history of the community but also for the state government to show their appreciation to the community. I must thank John Di Fede and Luisa Greco, along with the Committee for Madonna dell'Arco, who came to the minister with the idea of the book. This meeting allowed the state government to support the production of the book through the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison.

To further mark the occasion, on 21 April there was also an official public book launch to the wider community during the 67^th festa of San Giorgio Martire. The book was presented to community leaders and was made available to community members. Again, I must thank John Di Fede, Emma Luxardo, Victoria Placentino, Enza Mastrantuone, the Madonna dell'Arco committee, the festas committee and the Capuchin friars for not just creating the vision of this book but also making sure that the history of the parish community was preserved for future generations.

I want to once again thank and congratulate St Francis of Assisi Catholic parish on their successful and deeply meaningful achievement. Long may the memories of those seven decades live in our hearts.

The Hon. S.L. GAME (17:21): I stand with the Hon. Jing Lee to acknowledge and celebrate the 70^th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi Newton parish in 2023, and note a special publication was released in April this year to mark the community's 70 years of legacy and achievements.

I commend the parish on preserving the Italian culture and religious beliefs of their community, and the ongoing positive impact on the communities of Adelaide. I congratulate the parish priests, community leaders and volunteers for providing a meeting place and sanctuary for all people. I join with the faith community in celebrating the seven decades of service to the people of Newton, and acknowledge this community's dedication and resilience in continuing to provide a sacred space where all people can gather, celebrate and reflect.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (17:22): I also rise on behalf of the Labor government in support of this motion from the Hon. Jing Lee. Parish priests play a crucial role in the local community by offering both spiritual and practical support and helping to create a strong sense of belonging within the parish and beyond.

In the early fifties the Catholic archdiocese in South Australia recognised the need to serve the large number of Italian migrants arriving in South Australia, many of them settling in the eastern and northern suburbs of Adelaide. Newton's St Francis of Assisi supported many of our elderly Italian migrants and I understand the Capuchin friars there have followed the teaching and spirituality of St Francis of Assisi for many decades.

The departure of both Father Eldridge and Father John in January this year was a sad time for the parish and its local community. At the farewell Father John said that Newton was the first parish to which he was assigned many years ago when he was a young friar. He also spoke highly of Father Eldridge, saying that he was a faithful and affectionate friend during these decades.

Apparently, Father Eldrige, who was of Indian heritage, was first introduced to the parish of St Francis of Assisi at the mass, which was all in Italian. After this, he immediately started studying the Italian language with the precious help of Professor Luigi Stanziano. In fact, it was noted in The Southern Cross, which is a Catholic faith newsletter, how the St Francis of Assisi parish supported community members from all backgrounds and celebrated each other when they came together.

The Hon. Jing Lee, as well as many others, has acknowledged how people who had come from all over the world connected socially and spiritually at this parish. I want to especially recognise St Francis of Assisi for including the wider South Australian public for the wonderful festas and celebrations it has hosted over the years—I have had the opportunity to attend a few myself.

Although back in the day St Francis of Assisi was predominantly an Italian parish community, they chose to include our wider community all those years ago. This was really the beginning of interculturalism and would have helped pave the way to establishing the wonderful multicultural city we enjoy today.

On 10 April this year, leaders of the parish community came together with our Premier, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Zoe Bettison MP, to launch a book that celebrates the rich history of St Francis of Assisi's Catholic parish community. On behalf of this government, I acknowledge Father John, the committees involved in this project and each and every person who contributed to this book. The Labor Malinauskas government commends the parish on how beautifully the book shares memories of St Francis of Assisi. I was informed that it includes sections in Italian and in English.

I have also been told that many photographs and pictures captured the community spirit of the St Francis of Assisi parish, nurtured over the past 70 years. It will be a great record for this special parish community, ensuring that its rich history is preserved and shared with our future generations. With that, the government fully supports this motion.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:27): I thank the Hon. Russell Wortley, the Hon. Sarah Game and the Hon. Tung Ngo for their contributions to support the 70^th anniversary of St Francis of Assisi Newton parish and also to acknowledge the significant leadership that the Italian community has played in supporting multiculturalism and all aspects of society. Thank you for that, and I commend the motion.

Motion carried.