Archbishop dedicates catholic church

THE dedication of Bannockburn’s St Mary MacKillop Church took place last Sunday evening.

It was the first-ever church dedication to be held within St Joseph’s Catholic Parish of Meredith, with hundreds of community members attending the service which represented a commitment to always use the space to honour God.

The liturgy, which included anointing of the alter and walls, incensing of the church with the ‘fragrance of Christ,’ dressing of the alter, candle-lighting and gift-giving, was led by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli.

He said the celebration was “solemn in a joyful way.”

“The day has arrived at last to come… to dedicate not only the alter, but the whole of the church, with god’s people of this church and the broader parish.” he said.

“The moment of dedication might very well feel like that moment for the Israelites returning home.

“May this place be a sanctuary, a sacred refuge, a house, and a home of you, the body of Christ… It looks like you’re already outgrowing it, which is beautiful to see.”

St Mary MacKillop Church has been operating on High Street for about two-and-a-half years, named after Australia’s first and only saint, who served country people.

The new church was built on the site of the former St John the Evangelist Church which was demolished after a deliberately lit fire in 2015.

Parish priest Father Joseph Panackal formally presented the building to the Archbishop.

“It’s rising from the ashes of the tragic loss of our beloved church St John the Evangelist,” Father Panackal said.

“This miracle new church is a sign of growing life and faith of our community. The beautiful stained-glass windows have a theme; we are on a journey, and our journey is Jesus Christ.

“We are proud to present it to you for the dedication and consecration of the glory of the father’s son, and the spirit, and the patronage of St Mary MacKillop.”

The key to the church, construction plans, and books were presented to the Archbishop as signs of his leadership, the responsibility in building god’s kingdom, and the growing faith community’s commitment.

Architect Sandy Law responded to the brief of creating a light, bright, welcoming, quiet, prayerful, spacious and traditional space when designing the $2.25 million church, and sought to make it a functional space for 220 people.

To cover the cost, the Parish received $600,000 in insurance money, their fundraising covered $450,000, bequests provided $700,000, and the rest has been paid after the sale of land at Winchelsea.