During the celebration, Father Atanasio Gonelli was remembered on the 14th anniversary of his passing.
Father Atanasio was deeply connected to the Aeolian Islands Association Confraternity of Saint Bartholomew, serving as its chaplain for more than 60 years.
Each February, the association traditionally holds major celebrations in honour of the patron saint of the Aeolian Islands and Aeolians around the world. February 13 marks the day the relics of Saint Bartholomew arrived on the shores of Lipari.
Present at the ceremony were members of the Father Atanasio Charitable Fund committee, led by president Felice Montrone, along with many faithful particularly devoted to Father Atanasio and numerous members of the Aeolian community.
Wearing their ceremonial sashes, members of the association’s committee solemnly opened the celebration by processing into the church ahead of Father Lam Vu.
Montrone welcomed those in attendance and offered a brief history of the Capuchins and their apostolic mission in Australia.
Arriving in Australia in 1945 to assist Italian migrants, the Capuchins first worked in Queensland. In 1946, the then-Cardinal of Sydney entrusted them with the administration of St Fiacre’s Parish and the chaplaincy for Italian migrants in Sydney, with the responsibility of caring not only for their spiritual wellbeing but also for their material needs.
The first Capuchins from Italy arrived in 1948, including Adalberto Salerno, Silvio Spighi, Samuel Rodomonti and Anastasio Paoletti. They were later joined by Alfonso Panciroli, Romano Franchini and Atanasio Gonelli, who served the community for 62 years.
In his homily, reflecting on the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Lam Vu recalled that Saint Bartholomew was “the light of the world and gave light to all who were in the house”, emphasising that the secret of the saint’s holiness—one of the Twelve Apostles—lay in his generous response to Christ’s call, which ultimately led him to bear witness to his faith through martyrdom.
In thanking those present for attending the Mass, Fausto Biviano, president of the Aeolian Islands Association Confraternity of Saint Bartholomew, acknowledged the association’s committee, with special mention of its members for their work in preparing the celebration.
