THE sound of joyously ringing bells from Wynnum’s historic Nazareth House last weekend proclaimed faith in the future – and the blessing of restorations at the convent.
The bells came as Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane celebrated a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on October 27 with priests of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and priests and religious of the archdiocese.
It was the second Mass of Thanksgiving in less than a year at Nazareth House, the earlier one last December having been for the restoration of the establishment’s magnificent chapel.
Archbishop Coleridge in his homily paid tribute to founder of the Sisters of Nazareth Mother Saint Basil (Victoire Lamenier) and a group of Sisters who had come from Brittany to work among the poor in London.
“Their work was among the vulnerable, the orphaned, the aged, the ‘little ones’,” he said.
“It remains so to this very day.”
The Archbishop noted this was his first visit to Brisbane archdiocese’s Nazareth House, although he had visited the Melbourne establishment years earlier.
He spoke of Archbishop James Duhig’s purchase in 1918 of “60 acres of land” from Queensland’s former premier William Kidston.
The land, on Wynnum’s Mt Margaret, became the location for Nazareth House, opened in 1925.
“Through all the ups and downs, joys, tragedies and failures, Nazareth House here has never ceased to be what it was in London,” Archbishop Coleridge said.
“The words of Christ: ‘Remain in my love’, take us to the very heart of this mission.
“This place bearing the name of the Lord’s own place of growing up is built upon sacrifice.
“In all its complexity, in the midst of all changes, it (Nazareth House) proclaims the love of Christ which is the greatest of all powers.”
Also present at the Mass were the resident Sisters of Nazareth and their leader Sr Sesilia Ioane, the order’s regional superior Sr Dominica Cooper and Nazareth Care general manager Tony Phillips.
Adding to the sense of occasion at the Mass were the rousing voices of the Nazareth House Choir and the Chanel Old Boys Association under the direction of Jack Ho.
Hymns were sung in English, Latin and Samoan.
Members of Frassati Ministries were altar servers.
At the end of Mass Sr Ioane told Archbishop Coleridge the Sisters were privileged and honoured by his presence.
Nazareth House’s superior thanked Sr Cooper for her support in getting the convent restoration project underway.
“After 74 years, it was badly needed,” she said.
Sr Ioane also acknowledged Federal, State and local government representatives in attendance.
