ON Sunday 31 May Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Wauchope celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Mass honouring five decades of faith, community and service.
Father Felix Ekeh, former parish priest for nine years, returned to celebrate Mass in Fr Anselm Okeke’s absence.
Deacon Rev Shane Hyland said in his homily, “Many of you have stories about this church and remember the people who planned, built, paid and made sacrifices for it.
“I have only been here for two years and I see today as an opportunity to hear those stories from you.
“When this church was built in the 1970s the Catholic Church was going through a renewal inspired by the Second Vatican Council.
“One of the Council’s great insights was that the church was not primarily a building and an institution but it is the people gathered by Christ.
“You can see that vision reflected particularly in the design of this building which draws us together.
“Those who built the church inherited the place from those before them, they received it, cared for it and handed it on to us, and today we are the beneficiaries of their faith, generosity and vision.
“We are caretakers of the parish and we are privileged to hand it on to those who come after us.”
Mass was followed by morning tea and an historical display where Peter Murphy, chair of the Parish Finance Council, encouraged parishioners to enjoy each other’s company while sharing stories.
Long time parishioners Colleen Ninness, Noeline Abi-Saab, Clare Daley and Gwenda Johnson reflected on the stories of the building of the church.
Noeline and her husband, John Abi-Saab came to Wauchope in 1959 and their children were all baptised and confirmed in the old church.
John Abi-Saab, who was Hastings Shire President 1970-76, spoke to parish priest, Father Bernard Kenny, to say they needed a new church.
Mrs Abi-Saab said, ”The design was for a very open air church with adjustable ventilation panels because Wauchope is a hot place.”
“The parishioners came to the party and we found builders, bricklayers, electricians so the people of Wauchope built the church.”
The design includes semi-circular seating so that the congregation is no further than 10 metres from the sanctuary; the metal roof supports are tree-like reaching towards heaven; and the crucifix inspired by reaching arms was designed by Fr Kenny.
Colleen Ninness said, “The design was very contentious because it was a totally new concept, Father Kenny’s idea being to create a welcoming place where we could gather together.”
By Pauline CAIN
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