BRISBANE’S Matt and Natalie Clark “couldn’t have been happier” about the latest visitor to their Mitchelton home.
The couple was the first to host a painting of St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), sent forth from their parish church of St John the Baptist, Enoggera, last month.
“It was a wonderful time for all of us,” Mum of three, Natalie, said.
“We’d had a tumultuous year – with lots of sickness – and felt really drawn to it.”
Natalie’s mum, Sue Connors, “had amazing help and powerful prayer times” associated with (the then) Mary MacKillop some 15 years ago.
Sue survived cancer.
She was “front row, centre” when the image was handed over to the Clark family by retired Bishop John Gerry, Josephite Sisters Monica Cavanagh and Cecilia Anning and Kedron Brook Catholic Community parish priest Fr Jan Bialasiewicz on June 10.
Parishioner and organiser Barbara Bowers said the initiative – for the painting of St Mary of the Cross by Christopher McVinnish to circulate in parish homes – “was the spiritual inspiration of Fr Jan”.
“The three churches (Wilston, Enoggera and Gordon Park) … has a copy … and so they have been sent within their own community,” Mrs Bowers said.
“The inauguration of the ‘Journey of the Icon’ was held on the same weekend in all three churches as although having a distinct, individual identity, the three churches work together as a community on a number of appropriate major occasions.”
Natalie, “who was born and bred Catholic”, said she knew “signing up would invigorate” their prayer lives.
The family gathered daily to pray to God at the foot of the painting of St Mary of the Cross, housed in their lounge room, near where they share mealtimes.
Kedron Brook provided prayers and reflections to compliment and assist those moments.
The young Mum said St Mary’s presence and God’s workings made her “different”.
“I’d have a cup of tea with Mary in the morning,” she said.
“Her spirit in the house helped me think more about my parenting.
“I prayed more and was more centered … (but) I can’t really put it into words.”
Sue and other family members also visited during the week as did many friends in what Natalie said was “a time of being together in prayer”.
One year-old Evie “just wanted a pick up to get a closer look all of the time”.
Isaac, 7, and Ben, 4, often asked about the meaning of sainthood and “how they could be one”.
“Ben loved when we all sat together and said all of the prayers that came with it and we read the story of her life,” Natalie said.
“He would ask for the book to be read to him every day.”
Also speaking with exuberance about the faith and housing the painting, Matt, a primary school teacher, converted to Catholicism 11 years ago.
He began working with Education Queensland, but is now based at Our Lady of Assumption Primary School, Enoggera, as a Year 7 teacher.
It’s a move he “has never regretted”.
The couple met when Matt’s mixed netball team “needed a goal shooter and Nat was a good one”.
Matt and Nat have also put their hands up to assist with youth ministry in the parish, a “start up” meeting held last month with “a great response” seen.
“Our vision is to offer retreats and create a space for teenagers and young adults to come,” he said.
“Our children are growing up and will ideally move into that as well.”
The faith community aim to begin a tradition of youth Masses and are looking forward to involving more families and young people.
“We want to make the church more of a place where people say, ‘This is a good place to come’ and to give them a reason to keep coming,” Matt said.
“I feel the (Holy) Spirit calling us in this way.
“We are excited about the possibilities for the future.”
With much continued parish involvement ahead, the Clarks
bid a fond farewell to their week-long visitor in what Natalie said was “like saying goodbye to a friend”.
“It’s more than just a painting,” she said.
“I feel more energized in my faith (since housing the painting) and I can see the change in the children especially.”
Still, they “missed” God’s working through the presence of the artwork but are certain it has gone to other welcoming parish homes.
“We enjoyed learning about (St Mary’s) life,” Natalie said.
“Exploring the lives of others you can apply that to your own.
“(Blessed) Pope John Paul said we can ‘Be the saints of the new millennium’ … (but) we forget that’s possible in our daily lives.
“You don’t have to be perfect.”
