Slovenian Community - Shrine dedicated to the Holy Family

Slovenian Community

Shrine dedicated to the Holy Family

Construction commenced on this, the eighth shrine at Ta Pinu Marian Centre, dedicated to the Holy Family on the 2^nd September 2008, with the pouring of the concrete foundation. The brickwork upon the Shrine's exterior subsequently began on the 8^th October 2008 and was completed on the 18^th October 2008, well ahead of schedule. It was at this stage that the rendering process had commenced. Construction finally ceased on the 1^st November 2008. In preparation for the blessing of the Shrine, on the 14^th November 2008, the statue of the Holy Family Shrine was blessed by the Father Provincial. at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Kew (Melbourne). On the 15^th November 2008, the Inauguration and Blessing of the Holy Family Shrine commenced at 10:30am. Many members of the Slovenian community were in attendance (approximately 450), with 4 buses making the journey from Kew. The Slovenian community were also grateful to have in attendance honoured guests of the Roman Catholic Church of Slovenia, including Bishop Metod Pirih, the Franciscan Provincial Dr Viktor Papez, and Metod Ogorevc from the United States. Peter Cestnik of the Zares party of Slovenia, Bozena Forstnaric of the Slovenian Embassy of Canberra, and Alfred Breznik of the Slovenian Consulate in Sydney were also in attendance. Father Ciril Bozic OFM (Parish Priest of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Kew) welcomed everyone to this special occasion with a speech at the Our Lady of Ta Pinu Chapel, followed by the reading of the Holy Scriptures. The sermon was conducted by Bishop Metod Pirih, which was followed by a number of readings and hymns in Slovenian. Afterwards, a procession commenced from the Our Lady of Ta Pinu Chapel, making its way down the hill to the new Holy Family Shrine. Upon arrival, Bishop Metod Pirih blessed the Mosaic of Our Lady and the Shrine. The day's festivities concluded with a get together for all those in attendance. This day's festivities were of even greater significance, as this day marked the 40th Anniversary of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Kew, hence the reason why this day was chosen as the day upon which this new Shrine for the Slovenian community would be blessed.

This page was last updated in January 2009