Harvest Festivals of thanksgiving have been known in every time and culture. Jesus and his people celebrated the “Feast of Ingathering” or the “Feast of Tabernacles” or “Sukkot” (a reference to the temporary structures farmers lived in during harvesting). This was a time when the people shared from their harvest, collected goods for the poor, and acknowledged their dependence on God.

Likewise, our parish farmers, gardeners and cooks are all invited to bring some item of produce to the Harvest Mass – vegetables, fruit, grain, dairy products, preserves, meat, herbs, hay, and even flowers – to swap at a trading table. By giving non-perishables like a can, jar, or packet of something produced in our area to the St Vincent de Paul Society, parishioners can share from what is grown and made in our own Goulburn-Murray food bowl.

After Mass we usually partake in the specially-made harvest loaf and a sumptuous brunch – put together via that grand Australian tradition of “bringing a plate”! This year, alas, COVID-19 restrictions reduced our feasting to a supper of individual packs of bought biscuits and cakes, wrapped chocolates and a cuppa. No one complained – it was good to get together.

Hopefully, we will be able to put on a marvellous meal again next year.