Croatian Catholic Community Unites for Patron’s Feast and Mother’s Day
Photography: Zlatko Kozlevčar, Helena Buljan
In a magnificent atmosphere of unity and spiritual renewal, the Croatian Catholic Centre in Sunshine solemnly celebrated its heavenly patron, St Leopold Bogdan Mandić, alongside the observance of Mother’s Day.
Preparations for this significant celebration began with a three-day spiritual retreat (triduum) led by Don Dino Mustafi. The entire process was marked by joy, dedication, and a deep sense of community. A special organising committee, formed with great enthusiasm, gave its all to ensure the event was dignified and flawlessly executed — and indeed, it was.
Solemn Mass – A Blend of Faith, Tradition, and Gratitude
The central event was the solemn Holy Mass at 11:30am, celebrated in concelebration by Fr Dino Mustafi, Fr Vedran Lešić and Monsignor Bosiljko Rajić, in the presence of around 950 parishioners, as well as faithful from other Croatian Catholic centres.
At the beginning of the Mass, Mons. Bosiljko Rajić welcomed all present and highlighted several meaningful elements associated with the celebration: the election of Pope Leo XIV, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Mother’s Day, and the sorrowful remembrance of Bleiburg and the innocent victims of the post-war death marches.
“The election of Pope Leo XIV brings us comfort, reminding us we have Christ’s vicar on Earth, the successor of Peter. Today, the whole Church celebrates the Day of Vocations. On this occasion, the late Pope Francis wrote a beautiful letter highlighting the importance of spiritual vocations within the Church.
Today we also honour Mother’s Day. Mothers are a symbol of tenderness and love — a contrast to individualism and selfishness. They are witnesses of faith to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
These days we also mark the painful remembrance of Bleiburg and its victims. We lift our eyes to the Risen Christ who lives and is among us, and we direct our prayers to St Leopold Bogdan Mandić, asking for his intercession and guidance.” – emphasised Mons. Rajić.
A Touching Homily and Messages for the Community
In his homily, Don Dino spoke of the immense respect that mothers deserve — yet so often do not receive. He condemned the neglect of their sacrifices and highlighted the increasing drift from spiritual values in favour of materialism. He stressed the importance of religious upbringing and the encouragement of seeking God in everyday life.
“(…) We have placed God in second or third place. Speak to your children about God, teach them to pray. Let us not lose love for one another, let us respect each other, call your mother, don’t waste time. (…)
Today’s world tells us there’s no meaning in living for others. The world says — live for yourself. That is the greatest lie. God gave you life to be spent — to die for others. (…)
There is nothing more beautiful than raising children. Come and help your wife, be a man who reaches out to his wife. And there is no greater joy than serving God. With God, it’s never boring! Don’t listen to lies — let us pray to St Leopold to help us remain humble, obedient, never forget our roots, and to love Christ!” – were just some of the powerful messages from Fr Dino’s homily.
Music, Traditional Dress, and the Pride of Youth
Liturgical singing was led by the parish choir, with strong support from the FA “Hrvatska Zora”. Dressed in traditional Croatian folk costumes, their presence added a rich visual and cultural element to the celebration. Their singing, readings, and prayers were a true testament to the pride and youthful strength dedicated to preserving Croatian tradition and faith.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Mons. Rajić extended a warm welcome to the new priest, Fr Dino, which was met with heartfelt applause from the gathered congregation.
Celebration Continues in the Hall
Following the spiritual celebration, the gathering continued in the centre’s hall, which was filled with more than 600 guests. With excellent organisation, attendees enjoyed a plentiful feast and joyous atmosphere that lasted for hours. It was yet another example of how unity, faith, and love for Croatian heritage can truly fill the heart of a community.
For more photos and updates, follow the Croatian Catholic Centre’s official Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064413147118
