Multicultural Pastoral Care
Cultural Communities in the archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Brisbane welcomes and brings together a great diversity of ethnic groups from all corners of the world. We embrace the different expressions of faith and work with over thirty cultural communities in the life of the Catholic Church.
Cultural communities are at centre stage in the life of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. They share and enrich the wider community with their presence, energy, traditions and gifts. Members of the cultural communities are the new faces of the parishioners in the Archdiocese and are key to shaping the future of the Catholic Church in Brisbane.
Sharing diverse expressions of faith brings us all together to worship our God, who gathers everyone from different backgrounds, languages and races. Integrating such diversity into the life of the Archdiocese reflects a vibrant and joyful way of living the Gospel.
“It is in fact going to the very heart of God’s call at a time when we need to build a new profile of the Church in this country, hearing the word of Christ calling us to leave behind the division, the world of them and us, and to set forth and to bring everyone with us on the road home to heaven, the road of radical communion, the road of brothers and sisters traveling together.”
Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Multicultural Mass 2021
We strive to ensure that every cultural community feels welcome, valued and finds a home in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. We are committed to facilitating safe environments which nurture and grow the spiritual life of their members and to support their integration within parishes and the wider community.
We regularly bring together Community Chaplains and Lay Leaders to give communities a voice, to listen, to support each other and to make them visible in the life and decisions of the Archdiocese modelling the future of the Church in Australia.
Annual Archdiocesan Events
Multicultural Mass
One of the highlights in the Archdiocese every year is the Multicultural Mass celebrated in recognition of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. This event is a great opportunity to celebrate the cultural faith expressions and diversity of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese.
Over the past few years, we have seen over 1400 people gather from more than twenty cultural communities to worship God as one people. Representatives from the different communities take part in the Mass reading, singing and praising in their own languages. After Mass there is a gathering to savour traditional international dishes and to enjoy music and cultural performances.
Corpus Christi Procession
The Corpus Christi Procession through Brisbane City streets is a beautiful illustration of the diversity and richness of our Catholic Church. Over 5000 Catholics from parishes, cultural communities and religious groups gather each year to acknowledge the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is at the core of our faith. Groups walk, pray, sing and worship together showing their devotion, love and reverence to our Lord in a magnificent public witness to our faith.
In preparation to the procession day, cultural groups lead a vigil night of adoration, praying for an increase of faith, for believers and for the conversion of those who do not believe in God.
To be involved in either of these events, from planning to participation, please contact us to express interest and find out more.
Contact us
Contact Liliana to talk more about how to engage cultural communities in your local context.
Liliana Ortiz
Multicultural Pastoral Care
Project Officer
ortizl@bne.catholic.net.au
Phone
07 3324 3541