THE P RTAL
May 2014
Australia Pages - page 8
Parish of St Thomas
á Becket, East Brisbane Australia
Pages
I
n the
years leading up to the formation of the Parish of St Thomas á Becket, the congregation had
become resigned to Sunday Mass in various secular settings. Though very grateful for access to such
facilities, we were denied the ability to create an atmosphere appropriate for Eucharistic worship. However,
with the erection of the Ordinariate within Australia, the situation changed dramatically. It was both a great
joy and spiritually uplifting for the congregation to be offered the use of St Benedict’s Catholic Church, after
reception into the Catholic Church. The formation of a local parish then became a reality. What was even
more helpful, the then minimal usage of the church building allowed the Parish full access each Sunday.
Since its formation, the
people have progressively
realised they had a “home”
and so could begin to look into
the future. This was further
aided by being able to relocate
our original chapel altar into
the sanctuary of the church.
We have been able slowly, but
positively, to learn to function
and work alongside the existing
Catholic
congregation,
which is itself part of a twochurch group parish.
most members who attended,
it was a new and interesting
experience, though it had
not been without some
preparation. This took the
form of a weekly task to
cons ider selected passages
from the Holy Father’s
Apostolic Exhortation, “The
Joy of the Gospel”.
In recent months, our
members
have
helped
progressively to renovate
and re-establish the gardens
linked not only to the
church, but also to the
presbytery, and so help uplift
the external appearance.
The past month has been a period of increased
activity. Beginning on Lent 1, we had our first two
confirmations, followed by the usual parish luncheon
for special days in the park opposite. But this was but
the beginning. The inter-parish involvement reached
a new peak in the last week of March, just prior to a
Parish Workshop. The architectural features on the
upper face of the Church have deteriorated, and are
now in need of urgent repair. Through the assistance
of a congregation member, who provided scaffolding
and manpower, the existing entrance awning was
quickly demolished. This will now allow clear access
for restoration to proceed.
On the last Saturday of March, under the guidance
of Monsignor Entwistle, a parish workshop was
undertaken, following the celebration of Mass. For
contents page
for what is needed.
Through
Monsignor
Harry’s clear leadership
and comments, we were
caused to think anew,
not only about the many
facets of evangelisation
but, most particularly,
the
responsibilities
of
each person. Those who
participated were enabled to
discern the clear difference
between just being present
and accepting responsibility
At the Lent 4 Sunday Mass on the following day,
Monsignor Harry was both celebrant and homilist.
Those who were present, including some members
of St Benedict’s Parish, were able to share in a time of
wonderful worship. Though we would gladly welcome
an organist to our congregation, through the wonders
of Wi-Fi, music was available, as it is on most Sundays,
to help uplift the worship.
As our practice is, following the Sunday Mass, the
majority of those present retired to a local eatery
for coffee and refreshments and a relaxing time for
sharing of news.
Neville Rohrlach
Parish correspondent