On Sunday, November 1, the Slovenian community gathered at Rookwood Cemetery, Slovenian Lawn 2 for a special occasion of remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Coming together on the religious observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, we remembered our dearly departed, while celebrating the completion of a special project, initiated and inspired by Father Darko Žnidaršič OFM.
The morning commenced with Holy Mass at 10 a.m., celebrated by Provincial Father Stephen Bliss OFM in the Rookwood Cemetery Mausoleum, followed by the unveiling of the restored znamenje (Shrine) and the blessing of the St Raphael’s Garden of Remembrance at Slovenian Lawn 2. This special shrine honours the priests and sisters who dedicated their lives to serving our Slovenian community in Sydney.
A heartfelt thank you to Josie Modrijančič for leading the program with such grace, warmth and compassion, making the occasion all the more special and meaningful. It was wonderful to see the appreciation and joy of so many, following the unveiling of the restored znamenje.
What began in early March as an initiative to restore the shrine grew into a collective effort of planning, fundraising and countless hours of hard work. Today, that vision has come to life, a new commemorative plaque and fresh plantings and landscaping transforming the grounds. Inspired by Father Darko, the completed garden reflects his vision of creating a lasting place of remembrance and connection.
A project like this would not have been possible without the generosity, skills and dedication of so many. Our heartfelt thanks go to the craftsmen and artists who helped bring this vision to life: Sami El’Baghd (Zcon Constructions), Vlado Kopse (VK Painting), Drago Ostric (Sefton Smash Repairs) and Mona Goubran (Creative Art Restorations).
We also thank Greg Penkow, Jake Day and Mark Hamilton from Rookwood Cemetery for their work in designing the grounds, and Globe Memorial for producing the plaque.
Special recognition goes to the entire project team, in particular Mark Stariha and Olga Lah, who dedicated countless hours working with suppliers and coordinating the finer details to ensure everything came together beautifully.
The St Raphael’s Pastoral Council worked tirelessly to support this restoration project, guided by the vision of Father Darko Žnidaršič OFM, whose encouragement and support were instrumental throughout the process. Above all, thank you to our Slovenian community. Your generosity, encouragement and willingness to contribute made this special project possible. It is a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.