The first Saturday of the month gathers young people and families at the Croatian Catholic Centre in Clifton Hill
By Suzana Fantov
Every first Saturday of the month, St. Nicholas Tavelić Church in Clifton Hill, Melbourne, becomes a place of gathering, prayer, and unity for many young people and families.
The Holy Mass, dedicated to youth and families, is led by the parish priest of the Croatian Catholic Community in Clifton Hill, Monsignor Bosiljko Rajić. This initiative is growing in significance, attracting an increasing number of faithful—particularly families who bring their children to participate together in the Eucharistic celebration and additional spiritual activities.
The aim of these gatherings is to bring the Church closer to young people and to demonstrate that the Church is always alive, dynamic, and inviting—especially through Jesus Christ, who calls upon the young and, through them, speaks to the entire community. Through shared prayer and spiritual fellowship, the faithful grow in their faith, build community, and strengthen their connection to the Catholic Church.
This first Saturday, 5th April, served as a prelude to the fifth Sunday of Lent, with a Holy Mass in which young readers also participated. A special video of the Stations of the Cross was shown, tailored for the youngest attendees and featuring Croatian-English translations so that as many children as possible could follow along. Afterwards, the children took part in a creative workshop, colouring religious illustrations specially prepared for the occasion. The rest of the afternoon was spent in fellowship and outdoor play in the churchyard playground.
Among the organisers of this commendable initiative, Monika Buljan Jones and her sister Helena Buljan expressed their delight at the turnout so far and thanked all the parents, grandparents, and guardians who regularly bring the children. They also announced numerous future events that will further enrich the spiritual lives of young people in the community.
One such event is the eagerly anticipated pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Ta’ Pinu—an occasion that will undoubtedly serve as another opportunity for spiritual renewal and strengthening bonds among the faithful.
The pilgrimage to Ta’ Pinu Shrine (Baccus Marsh) will take place by bus on Saturday, 3rd May. The bus is already fully booked, reflecting the wonderful response from the community.
Known as ‘The Marian Centre of All Nations’, this shrine holds particular significance in its embrace of diverse cultures.
The sanctuary encompasses 12 oratories, each erected by different ethnic communities from Melbourne and dedicated to various titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among the communities represented are the Maltese, Italian, Filipino, Hispanic, Sri Lankan, Indian, Portuguese, Slovenian, Vietnamese, Polish, and Indonesian communities. The Australian community is represented by an oratory dedicated to Mary, Help of Christians.
