‘Miracle church’ hosts online Marian Procession
Two big events dominate the Coastal Deanery calendar each year – the Cobargo Marian Procession in May and a pilgrimage to Eden, Walking in the footsteps of Mary Mackillop in August.
With the ban on public gatherings, the Cobargo Marian Procession moved online last Sunday, attracting 58 participants zooming in via 47 devices.
Five priests were among the group; Fr Martins Aloga, from St Bernard’s at Batemans Bay, Fr Luke Verrell from Bega, Fr Pale Leota from Pambula, Fr Joe Tran from Narooma and Fr George Azahkath from Moruya.
They led the annual prayer event which took place from the ‘miracle Church’ of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Cobargo.
Bringing together communities and parishes impacted by the bushfires early this year, the hour-long program focused on “Healing from the Bushfires and Coronavirus.”
Particularly moving were the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, reciting the Rosary and a message from Archbishop Christopher Prowse.
Archbishop Christopher remarked that the coastal region of the Archdiocese was remarkably close to the initial contact point of Captain Cook 250 years ago.
He spoke about the impact of the bushfires on the region and named the Cobargo church, ‘the miracle church’ after surviving the inferno that ravaged the town.
Archbishop Christopher said the Blessed Virgin Mary is officially the Patroness of the Church of Australia and called for her intercession in the recovery phase of the bushfires and the ongoing response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
He concluded by imparting his blessing on the people of God including the five priests in the Deanery.
The prayer session concluded with a benediction and the hope of meeting in August to celebrate the fourth pilgrimage to Eden on the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop and the 10th Anniversary of her Canonisation.
It was a very prayerful virtual pilgrimage which gave witness to the solidarity across the Coastal Deanery among the parishes and the priests. It was led very prayerfully by the Dean, Fr Martins Aloga and was enriched by the beautiful musical and singing accompaniment to the Hymns by the Youth Duo on piano and violin from the far south coast parishes. A beautiful way to come together as God’s People in such challenging times.