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 This last week I know will go down as a truly historical one in the life of St Patrick's. The reopening of the church was something that we have been working towards for many years. The fundraising, design and conceptualisation of the project was a significant journey. That was naturally followed by the expenditure of the funds and the execution of the project. Many have said how touched and moved they are by the new building. Obviously things are different and any new developments are always difficult to get used to. However I hope and pray that the life of prayer, the spirit of St Patrick's and the welcome that is has given over so many years will continue in the restored church. There has been an enormous amount of interest from the media both here and overseas all of which suggest that something very special is happening. We do have a very good photographic story of the few days and we hope to make it available. At this stage the most important thing is to say thank you. Firstly our thanks are in the heart of Mary directed to our loving God, who continues to smile upon and bless the endeavour of this place. There is no way that any of this could have happened without the intervention of God. Let us not forget that the good God, as St Therese said, '...writes straight lines with our crooked ones...' and that most certainly has happened here. There are so many miracles and so many moments of grace that is was both providential and beautiful that the reopening Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Visitation of Our Blessed Lady to her cousin Elizabeth, when she sings out the Magnificat. James MacMillan has composed a beautiful setting of the Magnificat which we have heard much over these days and expresses, better than I could ever, our thanks, praise and reverence. I want to thank all our friends and benefactors who have contributed so much by way of material support and financial help. There are no words sufficient to express gratitude to hundreds who have given to the parish. All I can say is that at the altar of God they are remembered every week. Our professional advisors from architects to engineers have made possible an extraordinary new community centre and redecorated church and our thanks to them. I want to thank in particular Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Fr Peter Newby and all the different agencies of the Diocese who have helped. It's been a great joy to have Cardinal George Pell, Dr George Weigel and Bishop James Conley with us who have travelled considerable distances to be part of this special time. Many will not know of the various people who have been helping behind the scenes and if I could mention in particular Monica O'Shea, Hannah Bannister, Vincent Gardiner, Edna dos Santos, Deanna Joy, Pauline Stuart and Della Chivers. Each of those has a team around them so I know that they will thank others who they have been leading in these days. I'd also like to thank very much Breda McKinney and Stefan Bednarczyk for leading the music and for working so wonderfully with James MacMillan who has composed the 'St Patrick's Magnificat'. I do not want to exclude anyone as I know that there are many people out there, unknown who have also been part of this journey. All that one can say is praise be Jesus Christ. God Bless – Fr Alexander 3rd June 2011 |
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