At 5.30am on New Year’s Day, a Mass was celebrated on Midway Beach, Gisborne, by Msgr Frank Eggleton and Fr Jack Smith, with Deacon Mike Rolfe helping.
A welcome with thanksgiving was given to God at the rising of the sun for the new decade.
People prayed for our troubled but wonderful world. Perhaps this was the first Mass in the world for the new decade.
There were 112 parishioners in attendance. Mass was followed by a delicious breakfast.
What a beautiful photo with the sun framing Msgr Frank’s head. This photo reminds me of the Occasion of my Daughters wedding on 9th March 2002 on Papamoa Beach. Father Eggelton (as he was known then) performed the ceremony. We think of him and send him our very best wishes. Our whole immediate family now live in Brisbane. Adrienne (Frogley) Fahy, formally Hamiton and Tauranga. New Zealand.