MacKILLOP PLACE was officially blessed and opened last Sunday (October 11) in Rosalie, part of Jubilee parish and Brisbane’s central deanery.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane blessed the centre during the i-Witness youth festival.
MacKillop Place is the new operating centre for Brisbane archdiocese’s Youth and Children’s Ministry Team as well as the Centre for Multicultural Pastoral Care.
Malcolm Hart, as senior youth ministry project officer for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC), also has an office at MacKillop Place.
Youth and Children’s Ministry Team youth ministry co-ordinator Michael Hart said the move to such “a tremendous facility” offered “great access for those people who require the three agencies”.
He praised the words of Faith and Life Vicariate executive director Geoff Gowdie, who addressed those attending the blessing and opening.
“MacKillop Place gives the Church in our archdiocese … a new capacity to assist parishes and deaneries in their ministry with children, with young people, with Catholic ethnic communities and the diverse cultures that make up our parishes,” Mr Gowdie said.
He also acknowledged the site formerly used as a Marist College, saying, “Today marks the next generation of use for this part of the old college (and) may the work done here honour the best efforts of teachers and students who walked these corridors and grounds.”
The name “MacKillop Place” was chosen in honour of Blessed Mary MacKillop, named the patron saint of Brisbane archdiocese in this 100th anniversary year of her death.
“Naming the building after her is like putting her permanently on staff … May we not forget her presence or her role either,” Mr Gowdie said.
