Parish News
Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Warrnambool East serves as more than a religious building; it represents faith, identity, and a shared spiritual experience, embodying a community of faith and love. During this Jubilee year of Pilgrims of Hope, the congregation assembled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the church’s opening and dedication. On November 8, Bishop Paul, along with Fr John Fitzgerald, Fr Matthew Restall and Fr Lawrence O’Toole, joined the community in a celebration at the Eucharistic table to mark this significant event.
The day began in the afternoon with THE indispensable cuppa and chat, and the abundance of food was heaven sent. People travelled from all over the state to be there that afternoon. The foyer and the meeting room was full of displays showing the highlights of the past 50 years, while a PowerPoint flicked through old and new photos. People were heard to say ‘how wonderful it all was’ as they caught up with old friends that they haven’t seen a long time or made new ones. The adjacent primary school ran a contest to design the front cover of a book to compliment this occasion. Many of the school children captured in their art what our-theirs’ golden jubilee means to them. The selected winner beautiful and richly shows what the parish community is all about; a family of equals from across the world who are nourished by Christ and the living grace that lifts our everyday lives into the light of God’s presence.
The celebration continued later with the Saturday Vigil Mass, celebrated by Bishop Paul and concelebrants with Fr John, Fr Matt and Fr Lawrie. In Bishop Paul’s opening remarks, he states ‘by happy coincidence, this is also the Feast of the Dedication of a famous church in Rome – the Basilica of St John Lateran. So as we give thanks for the blessings of these fifty years here in Warrnambool East, we’re united with people around the world. ‘
The Mass was an enthusiastic celebration of the rich journey of the Our Lady’s Help of Christians community. Calling on a song that was heard 50 years ago at the dedication, and honouring all generations that have help nurture and grow the church, the community. We pray that God will continue to bless us as we gather and we also pray that God will continue to build us up as a community, so we ourselves will be a temple where God lives.
After the Jubilee Mass, once again people gathered to talk and share their personal story over a cuppa, at which time commemorative bookmarks and a booklet tracing the symbols and early history of the community – with some surprising and interesting facts about the church – were freely distributed.
Our journey has had many challenges, in our parish, the diocese and globally, but also many more blessings for which we are grateful. As we move forward to our next chapter within the greater Star of the Sea Parish, South West Coast, we ask God to continue to guide and bless us a parish family in the years ahead.
We would like to thank all volunteers and the community for their tireless efforts over the past 50 years. We remember and acknowledge those original parishioners and priests who are no longer with us to share this special anniversary. And we thank you for your generous support and contributions made in building up God’s kingdom, as a community that shares in the value of what it means to follow Jesus as his disciple.
Dion Bartlett