The mass will be followed by a luncheon at Kenna Hall, with over 100 people having brought tickets for the event.

The lunch will have a choir travelling from Dubbo as well as people attending from organiser Rosie Frecklington’s native Fiji.

The Orange community have jumped on-board to support the initiative, with James Sheahan High School hospitality students helping serve the food and Rotary Clubs pitching in to help prepare and donate food. 

She said she was excited for the event, but Mrs Frecklington – who has Parkinson’s – said planning it had “taken it out of me”. 

“It is quite a challenge for me but it will be good for the community,” she said. 

The luncheon builds on a fundraiser from the Orange Parkinson’s Support Group earlier this year, when calendars were published featuring people with Parkinson’s telling their story on each month.

Those calendars will be for sale on Saturday, with money going towards Parkinson’s NSW, who are funding the support nurse. 

Parkinson’s Support Group president Bernie Duffy said he was amazed at the effort Mrs Frecklington had put in for the service and lunch, and was also blown away by the support of the community – from schools to rotary groups to the church. 

The Mass begins at 11am, but there will be video features on St Peter Chanel – one of the first missionaries to the Pacific – and the islands of Wallis and Futuna, with all welcome. 

The Luncheon is held at 12 noon for a 12.30pm start.