The annual celebration of Spring in the Valley at St. Michael's since 1995
Photos from past celebrations
The annual celebration of Spring in the Valley, a festival of wine, food and arts draws many visitors to the district and in 1995 on Sunday October 15th at 8am, St Michael's Church, in its 60th year, also joined in celebrating this event by hosting an open-air Thanksgiving Mass under a marquee in its grounds.
Father Peter McGrath OFM assisted by Marcellinus Meilak OFM, John Giles Duigan OFM and Michael Brown OFM officiated at a colourful silk-ribboned altar surrounded with spring flowers and produce of the valley. It was a gloriously perfect morning and over two hundred people, some of different faiths and nationalities, took part in the Mass and Blessing.
An inspiring accompaniment to mass was the Dan Carney string quartet which, assisted by regular organist Kerry Katich, also entertained afterwards during the morning tea of scones, muffins and sandwiches supplied by the church ladies and served under the gum trees.
Many people come a long way to see the valley and tour the vineyards and this outdoor mass was an added attraction the success of which has guaranteed its inclusion on the festival calendar every year since.
Successive priests in the last 10 years have continued to promote the Spring in the Valley mass and morning tea supported by the energetic members of St Michael's social committee who assemble the altar and seating in the outdoor 'church' and provide huge quantities of sandwiches and cakes for parishioners and visitors.
Following the mass each year an older member of the parish has added to the interest of this day by contributing his or her memories of the Swan Valley and St Michael's through the years.
