Fr Joe’s loaves and fishes with a uniquely Australian twist

Archbishop Christopher Prowse recently met up in Bermagui with Father Joe Tran who showed the Archbishop his beautiful painting of the loaves and fishes.

Fr Joe, who is the Parish Priest of Star of the Sea Parish at Narooma and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish at Cobargo, said he deliberately chose to incorporate elements from the biblical passage alongside identifiable Australian elements to tell the story in a uniquely Australian way.

“It starts with the offer from a young boy of five loaves and two fish, that our Lord received and turned into the Eucharist,” Father Joe said.

“The symbol of Australia on the vase is to indicate that the wine is Australian made wine… the best in the world.

“We offer that wine to God in the Eucharist and pray for the whole country … they stand with the image of the Parliament House which stands for the country and the people.”

Fr Joe’s stunning painting also includes a Koala hiding in the bushes to one side which not only stands for a symbol of Australia and our past but also of quiet contemplation and meditation of the Eucharist.

The original painting is on display at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Bermagui, and a copy is on display at St Christopher’s Pastoral Centre in Canberra.