2005 Annual Mass and Dinner Report

On Tuesday the 28th of June the Catholic Doctors Association of Victoria held its annual dinner and Mass. It was a very enjoyable and successful occasion with 220 people in attendance.

The evening was co-hosted by the Melbourne Catholic Lawyers Association, The Order of Malta and the John Paul II Institute and coincided with a Bioethics Colloquium held by the International Association of Catholic Bioethicists.

The event served as a testimonial dinner to Senator Brian Harradine, who retired from parliament on the 30th of June after 35 years of service to the community.

Although Senator Harradine was invited to be the Main Speaker for the evening illness restricted him to a brief response to testimonial speeches given by Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini and Bishop Mark Coleridge.

The night began with a vigil Mass for Saints Peter and Paul at Newman College Chapel. The principal celebrant and preacher was Bishop Anthony Fisher and the first concelebrant was Bishop Mark Coleridge. In addition, there were 23 further concelebrants including Fr Len Size, Chaplain of the CDAV, as well as Fr Anthony Denton and Fr John Walshe who have given support and spiritual assistance to the association.

There was standing room only at the mass in a chapel that holds up to 200 people.

Following the Mass, everyone made their way to the main dining hall of Newman College. They were welcomed by Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini and then two brief introductory speeches were given by Dr Eamonn Mathieson (president of the Catholic Doctors Association of Victoria) and Mr Chris Andrews (president of the Melbourne Catholic Lawyers Association).

Following the main meal, Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini gave a testimonial speech for Senator Brian Harradineand this was followed by the main address of the evening which was given by Bishop Mark Coleridge. His speech, entitled “Towards a New Jerusalem”, discussed the requirement of a Catholic realism within the political realm.

At the conclusion of the speeches a gift was presented to Senator Harradine by Dr Tracey Rowland, Dean of the John Paul II Institute. Senator Harradine responded with a brief speech and offered a toast to his wife Marian.

At the conclusion of the evening’s formalities everyone mixed freely, taking advantage of this special occasion to talk and mix with both colleagues and Catholic workers in other fields in an atmosphere of conviviality that was enjoyed by all.