BRISBANE archdiocese has announced that its new spirituality centre, opening at Ormiston in 2009, will be known as the Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre.
The centre’s name, plus an agreement on the design of renovations and new facilities construction, was confirmed at a meeting held with Archbishop John Bathersby on May 13.
In naming the site in honour of St Therese of Lisieux (Santa Teresa), the 19th century Carmelite nun who died at the age of 24, Archbishop Bathersby was well pleased that the centre will bear the name of a young woman renowned for her dedicated prayer life.
“Given the Carmelite Sisters live nearby at Ormiston, and the spirituality centre is to be built on land that previously belonged to the Carmelites, it is entirely appropriate the centre should carry a woman’s name and if possible a Carmelite saint,” he said.
With World Youth Day coming to Australia in July, the Archbishop was aware too that St Therese was promoted by Pope John Paul II in 1997 as the youngest doctor of the Church, and the closest to us in time.
Archbishop Bathersby said the other inspiration behind naming the centre Santa Teresa was related to the famous indigenous Catholic mission located 80km outside Alice Springs.
Several of the buildings at the spirituality centre will be renovated, having previously formed part of the Cenacle Retreat Centre run by the Cenacle Sisters from 1980 until 2006.
The sisters sold the retreat centre to the archdiocese in 2006 and returned to live in New Zealand.
It is hoped that building and renovation will begin soon.
When construction is complete (mid 2009) the centre will have the capacity to host weekday, overnight or weekend retreats for up to 30 people at a time.
Jesuit Father Chris Gleeson has been appointed as first director of the spirituality centre.
