Bishop Danny Meagher's pastoral visit to St. Fiacre’s Parish in Leichhardt on April 28 and 29 was an opportunity for the bishop to meet with members of the parish, pastoral council, financial council, catechists, choir and readers.

Representatives from the Aeolian Islands Association Confraternity of St. Bartholomew, Our Lady of the Rosary Association, St. Catherine of the Ionian Sea Association, Renewal in the Holy Spirit, St. Sebastian Martyr Association, Apulia Association, Father Atanasio Gonelli Charitable Fund, and the Friendship Group in Memory of Enrica Inglese spoke.

Bob Natoli, from the Aeolian Islands Association, described the religious and social activities the sodality he chairs carries out on behalf of the Aeolian and Italian communities in the area.

Natoli then reported that the sodality recently published a book on the history of the Aeolians in Sydney, a copy of which was presented to the bishop at the end of the meeting.

Another publication was given to Bishop Meagher by representatives of the St. Catherine Association that chronicled their religious works.

Fausto Biviano then told the bishop about the efforts of the Father Atanasio Gonelli Charitable Fund, which held its annual party last March and was attended by five hundred people.

In his speech Fausto highlighted the work carried out by the charity which has always been involved in assisting the needy, funding Australian charities and contributing substantially and effectively to assisting young people arriving from Italy in search of work.

Representatives of the Friendship Group in Memory of Enrica Inglese pointed out that in making use of parish facilities, its main purpose is to promote the study of Italian through organising scholarships.

The Friendship Group has also begun a survey on the second and third generations of Italians in Australia, which seeks to portray an accurate picture of what Italians have done and are doing for the development of Australia.

Felice Montrone, organiser of the meeting, spoke about the Apulian groups operating at St. Fiacre’s, where every Sunday Mass is conducted in Italian before an ever increasing number of faithful.

Maria Donau then explained the progress of students who participate in catechism classes.