TOWARDS the end of 2008, Marian Valley prior Pauline Father Columba Macbeth-Green entrusted the building of a new monastery for the tiny community into God’s hands.
Now he and the two other members of the order of St Paul the First Hermit at Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland are happily installed in the new monastery along with their faithful dog Angus – about eight years ahead of schedule.
“That’s God’s providence at work. He doesn’t let you down,” Fr Macbeth-Green said.
The blessing of the monastery by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman of Brisbane as well as a Mass to celebrate the occasion, on October 7, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, drew about 250 people to the centre.
Nine Pauline priests concelebrated Mass with the bishop.
The priests were among 14 members of the order at Marian Valley for their annual retreat.
Pauline Fathers provincial Fr Albert Wasniowski said in his address the new monastery marked a major development as it expressed the order’s commitment to the Church in Queensland.
“The monastery is really a new beginning for us at Marian Valley,” Fr Macbeth-Green said.
“It represents permanence and stability and will provide space for the community to grow.
“The monastery is able to accommodate six and includes a chapel, community room, communal kitchen, and dining, office and meeting rooms as well as plenty of storage space.
“It also enables accommodation for a disabled or aged monk.”
Of further importance is that an extra priest due to arrive next year can also be housed.
This will assist Fr Macbeth-Green who is now also full-time police chaplain throughout the south-east Queensland police region.
The prior said, when he was appointed to Queensland in 2006, the Father General of his order had asked him to try to build new accommodation at Marian Valley.
A new monastery was needed as the accommodation – once a studio to the renowned Australian artist William Robinson – was inadequate, Fr Macbeth-Green said at the time.
The existing house could only comfortably accommodate two.
Excavation work for the monastery started in September 2008.
It was at this point, the prior told The Catholic Leader the order would “rely on God’s providence to build”.
“Whether it’s completion takes one year or 10 years is very much up to God,” he said at the time.
Last week, Fr Macbeth-Green was able to say that God and the community’s supporters had come through.
“We didn’t have to put the brakes on once during the building,” he said.
“Donations were always coming in – often just small ones to keep things turning over.
“Even when big items such as the roof were to be completed, the necessary money came in.
“There’s certainly been someone looking after us in this project.”
