PARISH OF ST AGNES

PORT MACQUARIE

FOUNDED

1888

DIOCESE

LISMORE

PARISH CHURCH	STATION CHURCHES	HISTORIC CHURCHES
OTHER BUILDINGS	RELIGIOUS ORDERS	PARISH DIRECTORY

PARISH CHURCH OF ST AGNES

PARISH	HISTORY	CHURCH

PARISH

THE IMPORTANT REGIONAL CITY OF PORT MACQUARIE WAS ESTABLISHED AS A PENAL SETTLEMENT IN THE MID 1800's AT THE MOUTH OF THE HASTINGS RIVER. IT SOON BECAME AN IMPORTANT HARBOUR FOR THE TIMBER INDUSTRY AND LATER THE NEW ENGLAND WOOL TRADE AT A TIME WHEN ROADS WERE SCARCE. TODAY IT HAS GROWN INTO A MAJOR COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND THE GATEWAY TO THE HASTINGS VALLEY.

PORT MACQUARIE WAS ORIGINALLY SERVED BY A CHAPLAIN FROM SYDNEY BUT WAS LATER FOUNDED AS A STATION OF TAREE IN THE DIOCESE OF MAITLAND. WHEN THE DIOCESE OF GRAFTON WAS ERECTED IN 1887 THE BOUNDARY WAS SHIFTED 10 KM SOUTH OF THE HASTINGS THUS INCORPORATING PORT MACQUARIE. ONE YEAR LATER IT BECAME A PARISH WITH A STATION AT RAWDON ISLAND. NEW STATIONS WERE OPENED AT BEECHWOOD (1889), WAUCHOPE (1907), TELEGRAPH POINT (1904) AND LONG FLAT (1930). WAUCHOPE WAS DETACHED IN 1955 WHILE LAKE CATHIE (1972) AND LORD HOWE ISLAND (EARLY 1990's) WERE ADDED.

FIRST CHURCH

FIRST CHURCH OF ST AGNES

NOTHING SHOWS THE OFFICIAL PROTESTANT NATURE OF THE PENAL SETTLEMENT OF PORT MACQUARIE MORE THAN THE LONG GESTATION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THAT TOWN. FROM ITS FOUNDATION IN 1821 IT WAS TO BE 67 YEARS BEFORE CATHOLICS HAD THEIR OWN CHURCH, DESPITE LAND BEING SET ASIDE FOR IT AS EARLY AS 1847. UNTIL 1878 THE CATHOLICS USED AN ANNEX TO THE PRISON. IN THAT YEAR A PLAIN WOODEN CHURCH WAS CONSTRUCTED ON THE ORIGINAL 1847 SITE AND LATER EXTENDED IN 1889. IN TRADITIONAL CRUCIFORM SHAPE AND WITH A LARGE AND IMPOSING BELLTOWER IT WOULD SERVE THE TOWN'S CATHOLICS TILL 1941.

SECOND CHURCH

	SECOND CHURCH OF ST AGNES
	IN 1941 IT WAS DECIDED THAT PORT MACQUARIE REQUIRED A LARGER AND MORE IMPOSING EDIFICE THAN THE SIMPLE LITTLE WOODEN CHURCH OF 1878. WHILE ONE WOULD BE LOATHE TO SUGGEST AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE IN THE DESIGN OF THE NEW CHURCH, IT IS CERTAINLY A FACT THAT TODAY THE HIGHER SITUATED ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST THOMAS IS COMPLETELY OBSCURED BY THE NEW ST AGNES LOOMING TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE TOWN FROM ITS EMINENCE ON THE HILL ABOVE HORTON ST. NEXT

THE CHURCH OF ST AGNES (THE REASONS FOR THIS RARE DEDICATION ARE A LITTLE OBSCURE) WAS DESIGNED BY THE SYDNEY ARCHITECT AND DESIGNER OF SEVERAL NORTH COAST CHURCHES, AUSTIN McKAY, AND IS IN AN UNUSUAL FREE GOTHIC FORM. BUILT OF BRICK WITH A TILED ROOF, IT COMPRISES A NAVE WITH AN APSIDAL CHANCEL, CONFESSIONALS, A SOUTH PORCH, TWIN SACRISTIES, AND A NORTH-WEST TOWER. IT IS ORIENTED TRADITIONALLY WITH THE SANCTUARY TO THE EAST TO GREET THE RISING SUN SYMBOL OF THE RISEN CHRIST.

THE CHURCH CONTAINS MANY FEATURES BOTH INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL THAT MAKE IT A TYPICAL WORK OF AUSTIN McKAY. AMONG THESE ARE THE LOVELY NORMAN STYLE RECESSED WEST DOOR, THE BLUNT ANGULAR FINIALS RISING ABOVE THE ROOF AND THE NARROW LANCET THREE LIGHT WINDOW OF THE WEST FRONT. AT THE EAST END THE CHANCEL RISES TO THE SAME HEIGHT AS THE NAVE BUT NARROWS CREATING AN ARCHITECTURALLY DISTINCT SACRED SPACE.

UNDOUBTEDLY THE OUTSTANDING FEATURE OF THE CHURCH IS THE AMAZING TOWER. ESCHEWING BOTH THE TRADITIONAL SQUARE TOWER AND THE OLDER STYLE ROUND TOWER THE ARCHITECT HAS CREATED A STARK DISSONANCE WHICH DRAWS THE EYE SHARPLY LEFT AND UP TO THE CROSS HIGH ABOVE. THE TOWER ITSELF IS COMPOSED OF TWO CONTRASTING STAGES. THE LOWER HALF IS A SQUARE SET DIAGONALLY TO THE NAVE GIVING A DIAMOND APPEARANCE TO THE STRUCTURE. AT THIS LEVEL THE TOWER ECHOES THE FACADE WITH ITS TALL LANCET WINDOWS AND BLUNT FINIALS. THE SECOND STAGE COMPRISES A TALL PLAIN OPEN FRAMEWORK CUPOLA AGAIN SET DIAGONALLY TO THE BASE AND THUS ORIENTED ALONG THE SAME AXIS AS THE NAVE. A PYRAMIDAL CAP AND A POWERFUL CROSS TERMINATE THIS INTRIGUING STRUCTURE.

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THE WEST FRONT AND RECESSED NORMAN DOOR.		NEXT

^^^^
THE STATUE OF THE PATRONESS OF THE CHURCH, ST AGNES (ABOVE) AND AT THE REAR, ST PETER (BELOW).

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<<<< THE FOUNDATION STONE AND THE PARISH MISSION STONE >>>>.

THE CHURCH FROM THE EAST END, ALSO KNOWN AS ST PETER'S ENTRANCE BECAUSE OF THE STATUE OF THE SAINT LOCATED THERE.

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	THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH (LEFT) WAS RE-ORGANISED IN THE LATER 20th CENTURY IN LINE WITH THE NEW LITURGICAL IDEAS ARISING AFTER VATICAN II. IN CONTRAST WITH THE ORIGINAL INTERIOR (BELOW) THE TABERNACLE AND FONT TOOK THE PLACE OF THE TRADITIONAL SIDE ALTARS AND A NEW ALTAR WAS INSTALLED WITH THE CELEBRANT'S CHAIRS BEHIND IT. A FLOOD LIT CROSS REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ROOD CROSS.

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THE INTERIOR IN THE 1940's FROM FR DINEEN'S COLLECTION.	THE INTERIOR IN THE 1950's DURING THE FAMOUS 'TRIPLE MASS'.

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THE SPARE ELEGANCE OF THE POST VATICAN II REDESIGNED SANCTUARY WITH ITS ATTRACTIVE MARBLE AND WOOD FURNISHINGS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PHOTO ABOVE LEFT. ON THE TOP RIGHT IS THE PLAIN MARBLE TABLE ALTAR AND BELOW IT THE MATCHING MARBLE AMBO. BELOW CAN BE SEEN THE ST FRANCIS XAVIER WINDOW (LEFT) CRUCIFIX (MIDDLE) AND ST AGNES WINDOW (RIGHT) FROM THE SANCTUARY. NEXT


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THE PRESENT BAPTISTRY WAS CREATED DURING THE RE-ORDERING OF THE CHURCH AFTER VATICAN II. THE FONT (BELOW RIGHT) IS THE ORIGINAL FONT OF THE 1940 CHURCH BUT THE IMAGE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (ABOVE RIGHT) IS A MODERN ADDITION.

PHOTO BY PETER O'DRISCOLL

THE FONT IS A PLAIN CARVED MARBLE BOWL AND STAND TOPPED WITH A TRAPEZOIDAL BRASS HOOD. THE HOOD IS DECORATED WITH A FISH AND CROSS TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS OF BAPTISM. THE PASCHAL CANDLE, SYMBOL OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IS TO THE RIGHT.

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AS PART OF THE LITURGICAL RE-ORDERING OF THE SANCTUARY THE TABERNACLE WAS MOVED AND PLACED WHERE THE FORMER LADY ALTAR ONCE STOOD. TO ENHANCE ITS NEW EXPOSED POSITION A BEAUTIFUL MARBLE STAND WAS ESPECIALLY CREATED TO ENCASE IT (BELOW).

PHOTO BY PETER O'DRISCOLL

THE MARBLE STAND FOR THE TABERNACLE HAS A BASE OF WHITE MARBLE DECORATED WITH A RAYED SUN SURMOUNTED BY FOUR COLUMNS IN CONTRASTING MARBLE TOPPED BY A WHITE MARBLE HOOD. THE TABERNACLE ITSELF IS FOUND WITHIN THE COLUMNED SPACE.

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	<<<< TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY THE NORTH SACRISTY HAS BEEN MADE INTO A SMALL LADY CHAPEL WITH AN ATTRACTIVE STATUE OF OUR LADY. THE CARVED CELEBRANT'S CHAIR >>.
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^^^^ THE GALLERY BANNER OF SAINTS , THE PIETA IN THE TOWER AND ONE OF THE SUPERB STATIONS OF THE CROSS. TWO OF THE ATTRACTIVE AMBER TOWER LANCETS >>>> TOP STATION CHURCHES

STATION CHURCHES
LAKE CATHIE	LORD HOWE ISLAND	PORT MACQUARIE	PORT MACQUARIE	TELEGRAPH POINT

CHURCH OF ST MARY, STAR OF THE SEA, LAKE CATHIE
	STATION
	LAKE CATHIE IS A POPULAR BEACHSIDE VILLAGE SOUTH OF PORT MACQUARIE. ORIGINALLY A SMALL HOLIDAY RESORT, IT HAS EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE LAST 50 YEARS AS THE POPULATION OF ITS NEIGHBOUR HAS EXPANDED AND TODAY IT HAS A TYPICAL MIX OF RETIREES AND HOLIDAY MAKERS. UNTIL 1972 CATHOLICS LIVING AT LAKE CATHIE TRAVELLED TO PORT FOR MASS BUT IN THAT YEAR IT WAS DECIDED TO BUILD A STATION CHURCH FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF LOCALS OF THE BY THEN FAST EXPANDING RESIDENTIAL AREA. IT HAS SINCE THEN BECOME A MOST ACTIVE STATION OF THE PARISH. CHURCH

CHURCH

THE DECISION TO BUILD A CHURCH IN 1972 COINCIDED WITH THE SAD CLOSURE OF THE STATION CHURCH AT BYABARRA. AS A RESULT THE PARISH WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO ACQUIRE THE BUILDING AND MOVE IT TO LAKE CATHIE. DULY ERECTED THERE IT WAS RENAMED ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA AND WITH SOME ADDITIONS MADE IN 1986 IT STILL SERVES THE COMMUNITY TODAY. THE PHOTO AT RIGHT SHOWS THE CENTRAL SECTION MARKING THE ORIGINAL CHURCH WITH THE AISLES ADDED IN 1986 TO ACCOMODATE THE INCREASED CONGREGATION.

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	THE INTERIOR PROVIDES A SHADY OASIS FROM THE OFTEN HARSH SUN OF THE MID-NORTH COAST. DARK BLUE CARPETS AND DARK WOODEN PANELLING CREATE A COSY INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE. WOODEN COLUMNS MARK THE ORIGINAL NAVE. THE SANCTUARY IS SIMPLY FURNISHED WITH MATCHING TIMBER ALTAR, TABERNACLE, AMBO AND CELBRANT'S CHAIR. NEXT

	<<<< THE SACRED HEART STATUE IN THE LEFT AISLE IN THE RIGHT AISLE IS OUR LADY OF FATIMA >>>> vv TWO OF THE MODERN STATIONS OF THE CROSS vv TOP STATION CHURCHES LORD HOWE ISLAND

CHURCH OF ST AGNES, LORD HOWE ISLAND
	THE HOLIDAY ISLAND OF LORD HOWE LIES OFF THE COAST FROM PORT MACQUARIE AND WAS FIRST SETTLED IN THE MID-1800's. TODAY IT IS A POPULAR RESORT WITH A SMALL PERMANENT POPULATION. UNTIL THE EARLY 1990's THE FEW CATHOLICS ON THE ISLAND RELIED ON AN OCCASIONAL PRIESTLY VISIT FROM SYDNEY BUT ABOUT THAT TIME IT BECAME A STATION OF PORT MACQUARIE WHOSE PRIESTS NOW PROVIDE REGULAR VISITS. THE PRETTY CATHOLIC CHURCH, BEARING THE SAME TITLE AS ITS MOTHER CHURCH, ST AGNES, WAS BUILT IN 1994 TO SERVE AS THE FIRST PERMANENT MASS CENTRE FOR THE ISLAND. DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HOLIDAY MAKERS IT HAS A RELAXED AIR ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE FOR A TROPICAL HOLIDAY RESORT.
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THE ATTRACTIVE TROPICAL-STYLE FACADE OF THE CHURCH.	FROM THE SIDE SHOWING THE PRIEST'S FLAT AT THE BACK.

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THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH BEARS THE STAMP OF ITS TIMES AND PLACE. THE RUSTIC MOTIF OF THE EXTERIOR IS RETAINED ALONG WITH AN ELEGANT SIMPLICITY OF STYLE. THE SANCTUARY IS NOT DISTINGUISHED FROM THE NAVE BEING SIMPLY A SPACE AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH. THE PLAIN COLONIAL STYLE FURNISHINGS FOLLOW THE SAME PATTERN AS THE REST OF THE CHURCH. THE MOST OUTSTANDING FEATURE OF THE SANCTUARY IS THE MAGNIFICENT POLISHED WOOD CRUCIFIX ON THE EAST WALL. IN A NOD TO AN OLDER CATHOLIC TRADITION A STATUE OF OUR LADY HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE FRONT CORNER. THE SEATING IS BY WAY OF MODERN COMFORTABLE CHAIRS. TO ALLAY THE TROPICAL HEAT THE SIDES CAN BE OPENED TO ALLOW AIR TOCIRCULATE.

TOP STATION CHURCHES

CHRIST THE KING

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PARISH OF PORT MACQUARIE

CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE KING, PORT MACQUARIE
	STATION
	DURING THE MID 70's THE PARISH, SENSING THE NEED FOR AGED CARE IN THE TOWN, OPENED THE FIRST OF A SERIES FACILITIES FOR THIS PURPOSE AT LOURDES VILLAGE JUST TO THE WEST OF THE TOWN CENTRE. IN ORDER TO CATER FOR THOSE LIVING THERE A CHAPEL WAS BUILT AND DEDICATED TO CHRIST THE KING. BECAUSE OF ITS CONVENIENCE THE CHAPEL SOON BECAME A PARISH MASS CENTRE AND A SUNDAY MASS AND SEVERAL DAILY MASSES ARE HELD IN THE CHAPEL EACH WEEK. CHAPEL

CHAPEL

THE ATTRACTIVE LITTLE CHAPEL IS LOCATED AT THE BORONIA ST ENTRY TO THE LOURDES VILLAGE COMPLEX. BUILT IN THE LATER 1970's, IT HAS A SIMPLE BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE WITH LARGE WINDOWS AND AN OPEN AIRY FEELING LINKED TO A TRADITIONAL ORIENTATION.

THE INTERIOR IS DESIGNED WITH THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS IN MIND WITH COMFORT, INTIMACY AND EASE OF ACCESS TO THE FORE. THE SANCTUARY IS OPEN AND CLOSE TO THE CONGREGATION AND TO AVOID ANY DISTANCING OF THE LAITY THE FURNITURE IS KEPT SIMPLE. AT THE HEART OF THE SANCTUARY IS THE TABERNACLE. HERE THE CHAPEL IS SEEN SET UP FOR THE EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS IN HONOUR OF OUR LORD'S RESURRECTION.

TOP STATION CHURCHES

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

CHAPEL OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, PORT MACQUARIE
	STATION
	BY THE LATE 1980's THE DEMAND FOR AGED CARE FACILTIES WAS OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY AND IN 1987 A NEW FACILTIY, ST AGNES VILLAGE, WAS OPENED ON AN EXTENSIVE SITE IN SOUTH PORT MACQUARIE THAT WAS TO BECOME THE LOCATION OF AN ENTIRE COMPLEX OF CATHOLIC BUILDINGS. AS WITH LOURDES VILLAGE, AND PROBABLY WITH MORE CAUSE GIVEN THE DISTANCE TO THE MAIN CHURCH, A CHAPEL, DEDICATED TO ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WAS OPENED IN THE 1990's TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE VILLAGE RESIDENTS. AGAIN LIKE THE CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE KING IT ALSO SERVED AS A NEW MASS CENTRE FOR THE RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION OF AREA. CHAPEL

CHAPEL

THE CHAPEL OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI IS TYPICAL OF ITS TIME BEING CONTRUCTED IN A DIAMOND SHAPE TO ALLOW ALL AROUND ACCESS TO THE SANCTUARY IN KEEPING WITH THE LITURGICAL CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NOVUS ORDO MASS. FROM THE OUTSIDE THE DOMINATING FEATURE IS THE LARGE CENTRAL CROSS RISING OVER THE SANCTUARY AND THE GLASS FILLED WALLS ALLOWING FREE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE CHAPEL'S INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR AMBIENCES.

THE CHAPEL'S SIMPLE YET ELEGANT INTERIOR FOLLOWS THE MINIMALIST STYLE OF CHURCH FURNISHINGS YET CONTAINS MANY TREASURES, INCLUDING THE BEAUTIFUL CENTRALLY PLACED AUMBREY, THE ATTRACTIVE MODERN STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND THE WINDOWS DEDICATED TO BLESSED MARY MCKILLOP FOUNDER OF THE JOSEPHITES AND PARISH PATRON, ST AGNES.

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	THE AUMBREY-STYLE TABERNACLE <<< BLESSED MARY MCKILLOP	THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS PARISH PATRON, ST AGNES >>>
TOP STATION CHURCHES TELEGRAPH POINT

CHURCH OF ST BERNARD, TELEGRAPH POINT
	STATION
	TELEGRAPH POINT IS A SMALL PICTURESQUE SETTLEMENT ON THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY NORTH-WEST OF PORT MACQUARIE ON THE BANKS OF THE SCENIC WILSON RIVER. TODAY IT SURVIVES MAINLY ON THE TOURIST TRADE FROM THE NEARBY WATER SPORTS FACILITY TOGETHER WITH PASSING HOLIDAY TRAFFIC. A STATION WAS ESTABLISHED ON THE WILSON RIVER AT TELEGRAPH POINT IN 1904 FROM THE PARISH OF WEST KEMPSEY WHICH CARED FOR THE AREA NORTH OF THAT RIVER UNTIL A FEW YEARS LATER WHEN IT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PARISH OF PORT MACQUARIE. A HUNDRED YEARS LATER THE SMALL VILLAGE IS STILL AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE PORT MACQUARIE PARISH FAMILY. FIRST CHURCH

FIRST CHURCH OF ST BERNARD
THE FIRST CHURCH AT TELEGRAPH POINT WAS BUILT AND OPENED IN 1904 AS A CHURCH / SCHOOL. THE SITE LOCATED IN THE THEN CENTRE OF THE TOWN (THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAS TO COME MUCH LATER) WAS DONATED BY A MR T KEOUGH AND THE WOODEN CHURCH ERECTED BY LOCAL VOLUNTEER LABOUR.
SECOND CHURCH OF ST BERNARD
A NEW CHURCH (SEEN BELOW LEFT AS IT WAS IN 1935) WAS BUILT IN 1924 ON A SLIGHT RISE OVERLOOKING THE VILLAGE. IT WAS A TYPICAL COUNTRY CHURCH OF ITS TIME COMPRISING A NAVE, CHANCEL, SACRISTY AND PORCH (RIGHT AS SEEN IN THE MID-70's). IT REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS (SEEN BELOW RIGHT IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1993) WHEN ON NOVEMBER 29 1993 IT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. DESPITE THE SAD LOSS OF THEIR CHURCH THE LOCAL CATHOLIC COMMUNITY QUICKLY SET ABOUT BUILDING A NEW ONE. NEXT

THE SIMPLE INTERIOR OF OLD ST BERNARD'S WITH ITS ATTRACTIVE POINTED CHANCEL ARCH WAS RE-ORDERED IN DURING THE EARLY 70's TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LITURGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NOVUS ORDO. THE OLD ALTAR WAS MOVED FORWARD TO THE NAVE, THE TABERNACLE WAS MOVED TO THE SIDE AND A SMALL CRUCIFIX MOUNTED ON THE EAST WALL. IN THE PHOTO BELOW THE SMALL STATIONS OF THE CROSS CAN BE SEEN ON THE WALLS. THE BANNER ABOVE THE TABERNACLE WAS MADE BY LOCAL WOMEN AND IS PART OF A SET MADE FOR THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH WAS CLOSED FOR A SHORT PERIOD IN THE LATE 70's AND WAS RE-OPENED IN 1981 WITH NEW SANCTUARY FURNITURE MADE BY MR KEITH MORISSEY (RIGHT). THE NAVE WAS CARPETED AND THE ORIGINAL PEWS WERE REMOVED DURING THE RE-ORDERING AND REPLACED WITH INDIVDUAL SEATING WHICH HAS APPARENTLY CHANGED COLOUR OVER THE YEARS.

THIRD CHURCH

THIRD CHURCH OF ST BERNARD

IN 1994 FOLLOWING THE LOSS TO FIRE OF OLD ST BERNARD'S THE PEOPLE OF TELEGRAPH POINT QUICKLY SET ABOUT BUILDING A REPLACEMENT CHURCH, ONE WHICH WOULD ALSO REFLECT THE CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE SINCE 1967.

CONSTRUCTED OF MODERN BRICK BLOCKS, THE CHURCH IS DESIGNED AS A TRANSVERSE NAVE, THUS FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS OF POST VATICAN II LITURGICAL THOUGHT. THE CHURCH IS SURROUNDED BY ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPED NATIVE GARDENS AND HAS THE USUAL DETACHED BELLCOTE SO COMMON TO COUNTRY CHURCHES.

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THE INTERIOR IS LIGHT AND AIRY WITH A SIMPLE BOW-WINDOW STYLE CHANCEL AREA. THE LATTER IS PLAINLY FURNISHED IN THE MINIMALIST SPIRIT OF THE POST VATICAN II LITURGICAL REVOLUTION. A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE CHURCH IS THE HAND-PAINTED VIA DOLOROSA WITH ITS METAL IMAGES REPRESENTING EACH STATION OF THE CROSS. TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES

HISTORIC CHURCHES

HELP PLEASE

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE COMPREHENSIVE. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY CHURCHES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED, OR HAS INFORMATION ABOUT OR HISTORIC PHOTOS OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHURCHES PLEASE CONTACT ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU AND ADDING TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CHURCHES.

RAWDON ISLAND

CHURCH OF ST JAMES, RAWDON ISLAND
	STATION
	RAWDON ISLAND IS A SMALL RURAL SETTLEMENT SET IN THE HASTINGS RIVER JUST UPSTREAM FROM PORT MACQUARIE ABOUT HALF-WAY TO WAUCHOPE. IT WAS AMONG THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS INLAND FROM THE COAST AND SERVED A HARD-WORKING FARM COMMUNITY. FOR MUCH OF THE POST-WAR PERIOD IT SAW A DECLINE IN ITS POPULATION BUT TODAY IT IS EXPERIENCING NEW GROWTH AS PORT MACQUARIE CONTINUES ITS STEADY INCREASE. RAWDON ISLAND BEGAN LIFE IN 1868 AS A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY AS AT THE TIME THE SOUTH BANK OF THE HASTINGS CONSTITUTED THE DIOCESAN BORDER BETWEEN THE THEN DIOCESES OF ARMIDALE AND MAITLAND. WITH THE ERECTION OF GRAFTON IN 1887 THE BORDER WAS MOVED 10 MILES SOUTH AND RAWDON ISLAND BECAME PART OF THE PARISH OF PORT MACQUARIE. WITH LESS PEOPLE AND IMPROVED TRANSPORT IT CLOSED IN 1974. HISTORY

HISTORY

THE STATION CHURCH AT RAWDON ISLAND WAS THE FIRST UPRIVER CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE HASTINGS VALLEY. IT WAS BUILT IN 1868 AND IN 1886, JUST ONE YEAR BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRAFTON (LATER LISMORE) DIOCESE 'RAWDENS ISLANDS' IS LISTED IN THE AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC DIRECTORY AS A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY PARISH, ALTHOUGH THE DEDICATION IS WRONGLY SHOWN AS ST JOSEPH AS THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN AS ST JAMES. IN 1888 IT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PARISH OF PORT MACQUARIE AND IN 1894 IT WAS RELOCATED TO A NEW SITE NEAR THE SCHOOL. WITH ITS CLOSURE IN 1974 THE CHURCH WAS OBTAINED BY THE WAUCHOPE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WHO MOVED IT TO TIMBERTOWN WHERE IT FUNCTIONS AS A MUSEUM AND OFFICE.

CHURCH

CHURCH

ST JAMES WAS AN ATTRACTIVE LITTLE WEATHERBOARD GODBOX COMPRISING A NAVE, PORCH, AND LARGE SACRISTY COMMON IN DAYS WHEN PRIESTS OFTEN STAYED OVERNIGHT IN THE CHURCH. SIMPLE GABLE CROSSES AND GOTHIC STYLE ARCHED WINDOWS GIVE THE CHURCH AN ECCLESIASTICAL LOOK.

TODAY THE CHURCH HAS BEEN RESCUED FROM THE SAD STATE OF DECAY INTO WHICH HAD FALLEN AND RENOVATED AND REPAINTED IT IS NOW PART OF THE TIMBERTOWN THEME PARK AND THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

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	<<< THE ORIGINAL TABERNACLE FROM THE CHURCH. vvv THE CHURCH AFTER ITS MOVE TO TIMBERTOWN.	vvv ONE OF TWO CANDELABRA FROM THE CHURCH NOW AT THE MUSEUM.

TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS

OTHER BUILDINGS
UNTIL THE 1970's PORT MACQUARIE HAD THE USUAL COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS TYPICAL OF A CATHOLIC PARISH INCLUDING A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND A HIGH SCHOOL ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCHINVAR SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH IN 1913, A CONVENT, A MUCH RENOVATED PRESBYTERY ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1889 AND A "HOUSIE HALL" WHICH WAS LATER REPLACED BY A SHOPPING COMPLEX, THE HORTON CENTRE, WHICH HOUSES THE McKILLOP FAMILY BOOKSHOP AND THE JOPRIM UNIFORM SHOP, BOTH RUN BY THE PARISH. BEGINNING IN THE 1970's HOWEVER, THE PARISH RESPONDED TO THE CHANGING NEEDS WITHIN THE GROWING COMMUNITY FOR SCHOOLS AND AGED CARE FACILITIES THROUGH A SERIES OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND CATHOLIC CARE FOR THE AGED. FOR THE YOUNG, TWO NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE BUILT, ST AGNES' AND ST PETER'S, A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, ST PAUL'S, A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, McKILLOP SENIOR CAMPUS, AND A VOCATIONAL CAMPUS. IN ADDITION, THE PARISH CO-OPERATED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE, SET UP THE MARIAN HOSPITALITY AND TRAINING CENTRE AND OPENED THREE PRE-SCHOOLS, ST AGNES', ST JOSEPH'S, AND JOEY'S HOUSE. IN 2007 THE VOCATIONAL COLLEGE CLOSED AND THE PARISH ACCEPTED THE RUNNING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE. THE FORMER SCHOOL BUILDING WILL NOW BE RENOVATED AS THE PARISH OFFICES. IN 1975 THE PARISH SET UP THEIR FIRST AGED CARE FACILITY AT LOURDES HOUSE FOLLOWED BY LOURDES VILLAGE AND LOURDES NURSING HOME. SINCE THEN THE APOSTOLATE TO THE AGED HAS EXPANDED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF ST AGNES VILLAGE, HOSTEL AND LODGE, MARYKNOLL HOSTEL, MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE, AND THE MOST RECENT, EMMAUS NURSING HOME. TO CARE FOR THIS LARGE RANGE OF SERVICES THE PARISH HAS ITS OWN ADMINISTRATION CENTRE, A MAINTENANCE CENTRE AND THE CCA CENTRE AT SWEENEY HOUSE. THE PARISH ALSO OWNS BOURNE HOUSE, THE LOCATION OF THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF CENTACARE. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONFERENCES OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN PORT MACQUARIE. OVER THE YEARS THEY HAVE SERVED THE COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS THROUGH A YOUTH REFUGE, CHRISTO HOUSE, A RETAIL CENTRE AND A HOMELESS REFUGE, McCOSKER HOUSE, IN THE PARISH.
PARISH FACILITIES
PORT MACQUARIE PRESBYTERIES	PORT MACQUARIE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE	PORT MACQUARIE MAINTENANCE CENTRE	PORT MACQUARIE THE HORTON CENTRE	PORT MACQUARIE BOURNE HOUSE
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PORT MACQUARIE ST PETER'S PRIMARY	PORT MACQUARIE ST PAUL'S CAMPUS	PORT MACQUARIE McKILLOP CAMPUS	PORT MACQUARIE THE MARIAN CENTRE	PORT MACQUARIE VOCOL CENTRE
WELFARE FACILITIES
PORT MACQUARIE ST JOSEPH'S CENTRE	PORT MACQUARIE JOEY'S HOUSE	PORT MACQUARIE ST AGNES PRE SCHOOL	PORT MACQUARIE ST VINCENT DE PAUL	PORT MACQUARIE McCOSKER HOUSE
AGED CARE FACILITIES
PORT MACQUARIE LOURDES VILLAGE	PORT MACQUARIE LOURDES NURSING HOME	PORT MACQUARIE ST AGNES VILLAGE	PORT MACQUARIE SWEENEY HOUSE	PORT MACQUARIE EMMAUS

PRESBYTERIES, PORT MACQUARIE

THE FIRST PRESBYTERY WAS ERECTED ON THE SITE OF THE OLD CONVICT INFIRMARY IN 1889 SHORTLY AFTER THE FORMATION OF THE PARISH. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED OF LOCAL BRICK AND HAD A WIDE VERANDAH TYPICAL OF THE TIMES. IN 1955 THIS PRESBYTERY WAS RENOVATED AND ENLARGED BEFORE BEING OPENED BY BISHOP FARRELY.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE 1900's THE OLD PRESBYTERY UNDERWENT FURTHER RENOVATION INCLUDING THE ENCLOSING OF THE VERANDAH WITH A PORTION OF IT BEING CONVERTED INTO A MODERN PARISH OFFICE. TODAY, AS IN THE VERY BEGINNINGS OF THE PARISH THIS BUILDING SERVES AS THE VERY HEART OF THE CHURCH IN PORT MACQUARIE.

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ADMINISTRATION CENTRE

ST AGNES PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE, PORT MACQUARIE

FOLLOWING THE EXPANSION OF PARISH SERVICES IN THE LATER DECADES OF THE 20th CENTURY THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH A VARIED RANGE OF ENTITIES DISTINCT FROM THE NORMAL PARISH CONCERNS WHICH ARE DEALT WITH BY THE PARISH OFFICE AT THE PRESBYTERY.

THE ST AGNES PARISH ADMINISTRATION CENTRE IS HOUSED AT THE REAR OF A LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDING THAT ABUTTS ONTO THE PARISH PROPERTY. RUN BY A CEO, THE OFFICE'S PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL, OPERATIONAL AND PERSONNEL SERVICES TO THE WIDE VARIETY OF ENTITIES MANAGED BY THE PARISH.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS THE HORTON CENTRE

THE HORTON CENTRE, PORT MACQUARIE
IN 1968 THE PARISH BUILT A "HOUSIE HALL" FRONTING HORTON ST AT THE BASE OF THE HILL ON WHICH THE CHURCH STANDS. THIS COMMON FORM OF FUND-RAISING FOR MANY CATHOLIC PARISHES LATER WENT OUT OF FASHION AND THE HALL WAS DEMOLISHED AND A NEW SHOPPING COMPLEX BUILT. THE COMPLEX CONTAINS THE McKILLOP FAMILY BOOKSHOP AND THE JOPRIM UNIFORM SHOP RUN BY THE PARISH. THE REMAINDER OF THE SHOP SPACES ARE LEASED BY THE CHURCH COMMERCIALLY TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE PARISH.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS BOURNE HOUSE

BOURNE HOUSE, PORT MACQUARIE
	BOURNE HOUSE IS A MAJOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN CENTRAL PORT MACQUARIE. OWNED BY THE PARISH, IT HOUSES THE LOCAL CENTACARE OFFICE AND THE PCYC YOUTH ORGANISATION.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL

ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, PORT MACQUARIE

ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS THE THIRD CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL OPENED IN PORT MACQUARIE AND THE FIRST TO BE FULLY LAY-STAFFED FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT. OPENED IN 1993 AND CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE COMPLEX COMPRISING ST AGNES VILLAGE, ST PAUL'S CAMPUS AND McKILLOP CAMPUS, IT SERVES THE RAPIDLY GROWING RESIDENTIAL AREA OF SOUTH PORT MACQUARIE. NEXT

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST PAUL'S CAMPUS SCHOOL WEBSITE

ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, ST PAUL'S CAMPUS, PORT MACQUARIE

BY THE LATE 1900's THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE PARISH HAD EXPANDED FAR BEYOND THE ORIGINAL CAPACITY OF ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL ESTABLISHED BY THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH. IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW LAY-STAFFED HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH PORT MACQUARIE OPPOSITE ST AGNES VILLAGE. THE SCHOOL HAS YEARS 7-10, WITH SENIORS GOING ON TO McKILLOP CAMPUS. NEXT

THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE IS VIA AN ATTRACTIVE CROSS-TOPPED ROTUNDA CONTAINING A STATUE OF THE SCHOOL PATRON, ST PAUL. NEXT

ST PAUL'S IS AN ATTRACTIVELY DESIGNED MODERN SCHOOL BLESSED WITH OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE BUILDINGS.

THE SCHOOL IS PART OF THE ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL WHICH COMPRISES TWO 7-10 CAMPUSES AND A SENIOR CAMPUS. THE SENIOR CAMPUS IS LOCATED ACROSS THE ROAD FROM ST PAUL'S WHILE THE OTHER 7-10 CAMPUS HASTINGS REGIONAL IS IN CENTRAL PORT MACQUARIE.

THE EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF SCHOOLS RUN BY THE PORT MACQUARIE PARISH IS PROBABLY UNIQUE IN AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE, CONSTITUTING A MINI-SYSTEM ALL OF ITS OWN.

ST PAUL'S HAS UNDOUBTEDLY THE MOST LOVELY SETTING OF ALL THE SCHOOLS RUN BY THE PARISH. LUSH LAWNS, NATIVE BUSH AND WIDE VISTAS COMBINE TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN AN OTHERWISE BUSTLING AND NOISY ENVIRONMENT.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS McKILLOP CAMPUS

SCHOOL WEBSITE

ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL, McKILLOP CAMPUS, PORT MACQUARIE
THE McKILLOP SENIOR CAMPUS OF ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL TAKES THE YEAR 11-12 STUDENTS FROM ST PAUL'S AND HASTINGS REGIONAL. NEXT

McKILLOP SENIOR CAMPUS IS LOCATED WITHIN THE LARGE CATHOLIC COMPLEX IN SOUTH PORT MACQUARIE. IT IS SET AMIDST ATTRACTIVE GROUNDS ON A SLIGHT RISE CLOSE TO ST AGNES VILLAGE. BUILT IN THE 1990's AND DESIGNED FOR MORE MATURE STUDENTS, IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A FULL RANGE OF FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SENIORS STUDYING FOR THEIR MATRICULATION. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS MARIAN CENTRE SCHOOL WEBSITE

MARIAN HOSPITALITY AND TRAINING CENTRE, PORT MACQUARIE

THE MARIAN HOSPITALITY AND TRAINING CENTRE IS LOCATED NEAR THE ST AGNES VILLAGE AND IS PART OF THE PARISH'S EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. THE CENTRE PROVIDES CATERING SERVICES TO CATHOLIC CARE OF THE AGED FACILITIES, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS AND FUNCTION FACILITIES FOR ALL ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE PARISH AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY. NEXT

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE

VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE, PORT MACQUARIE

DURING THE 1970's THE PARISH ESTABLISHED ST JOSEPH'S VOCATIONAL COLLEGE TO PROVIDE FOR LESS ACADEMICALLY INCLINED STUDENTS WHO HAD COMPLETED YEAR 10. IN THE 1980's VOCOL ENGINEERING, LATER THE VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE, WAS BUILT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND THIS OUTREACH.

THE VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE LINKED EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY IN VARIOUS WORKSHOP AREAS INCLUDING COMPUTERS, WOOD AND METAL WORKING, ELECTRONICS, AND ENGINEERING. IT ALSO SERVED AS THE MAINTENANCE CENTRE FOR ALL PARISH PROPERTIES. IN LATE 2006 THE CENTRE BECAME SURPLUS TO NEEDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT-BUILT TECHNICAL COLLEGE THE SKILLS CENTRE BECAME SURPLUS AND IN 2006 THE BUILDING WAS SOLD.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST JOSEPH'S CENTRE

ST JOSEPH'S FAMILY CENTRE, PORT MACQUARIE

ST JOSEPH'S FAMILY SERVICES OPERATES AS A COMMUNITY BASED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION. IT IS LOCATED IN WARLTERS ST ADJACENT TO ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY SCOOL AND IS RUN BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING PARENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY AND PARISH REPRESENTATIVES. OPENED IN THE LATE 70’s TO COMPLEMENT THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES OF THE ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOLS, IT PROVIDES PRE-SCHOOL SESSIONS, EXTENDED HOURS AND CASUAL HOLIDAY CARE.

THE CENTRE IS ALSO THE HEADQUARTERS OF HASTINGS FAMILY DAY CARE, A CO-ORDINATED SCHEME WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN UP TO 12 YEARS OF AGE ARE CARED FOR IN SMALL GROUPS IN HOMES OF REGISTERED AND TRAINED CARERS.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS JOEY'S HOUSE

JOEY'S HOUSE OCCASIONAL CARE, PORT MACQUARIE

JOEY'S HOUSE IS AN OCCASIONAL CARE CENTRE OPENED IN THE 1980's AND RUN BY THE PARISH OF ST AGNES. IT IS LOCATED IN BRIDGE ST AND IS CLOSE TO BOTH THE CBD AND SETTLEMENT CITY.

THE CENTRE IS LICENSED FOR 28 CHILDREN AGED 0 TO 8 YEARS AND PROVIDES HALF AND FULL DAY OCCASIONAL CARE, WITH A FULLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED STAFF COMMITTED TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST AGNES PRE-SCHOOL

ST AGNES PRESCHOOL, PORT MACQUARIE

THE ST AGNES PRE-SCHOOL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF ST AGNES PRIMARY IS THE MOST RECENT OF THE PARISH'S PRE-SCHOOL VENTURES. THE CENTRE CATERS FOR 59 CHILDREN BETWEEN 0 – 5 YEARS AND IS OPEN 49 WEEKS OF THE YEAR.

THE CENTRE CONTAINS NURSERY, KINDY AND PRE-SCHOOL ROOMS WHICH OFFER SEVERAL DIVERSE AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS RUN BY QUALIFIED STAFF COMMITTED TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST VINCENT DE PAUL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, PORT MACQUARIE
	THE COMMERCIAL STYLE ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHARITY CENTRE IS LOCATED IN GORDON ST PORT MACQUARIE.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS McCOSKER HOUSE

McCOSKER HOUSE, PORT MACQUARIE

MCCOSKER HOUSE AT PORT MACQUARIE, A SPECIAL WORK OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, IS A REFUGE PROVIDING SHORT-TERM CRISIS ACCOMMODATION FOR BOTH FAMILIES AND SINGLE PEOPLE. PEOPLE SEEK HELP FROM THE REFUGE WHEN THEY ARE EITHER IN CRISIS, CHRONICALLY HOMELESS OR CONFRONTING THE PROSPECT OF BEING HOMELESS. APART FROM THE OBVIOUS SUPPORT GIVEN TO PEOPLE SEEKING HELP THE STAFF AT MCCOSKER HOUSE ALSO PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAITING LISTS, AND OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS TO HELP THEM ESTABLISH LONG-TERM ACCOMMODATIONFOR THEMSELVES. NEXT

McCOSKER HOUSE WAS OPENED IN 1985 (^^^^). THE McCOSKER HOUSE EXTENSION FOR FAMILY ACCOMODATION WAS OPENED IN 1993. (>>>>). KATHLEEN NASH WING


	IN 2006 THE KATHLEEN NASH WING CONSISTING OF LARGER UNITS FOR FAMILIES WAS OPENED BY FR DONNELLY, PARISH PRIEST OF ST AGNES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR CRISIS ACCOMODATION FROM ACROSS THE WHOLE PORT MACQUARIE - HASTINGS AREA.
TOP OTHER BUILDINGS LOURDES VILLAGE

LOURDES VILLAGE, PORT MACQUARIE
LOURDES VILLAGE AGED CARE FACILITY BEGAN WITH THE OPENING OF LOURDES HOSTEL IN 1975. TO CATER FOR COUPLES AND THOSE LESS IN NEED OF ASSISTED CARE, A VILLAGE COMPRISING 20 INDEPENDANT LIVING UNITS WAS ERECTED FRONTING HEATHER AND BORONIA STS ON LAND SURROUNDING THE HOSTEL. DUE TO DEMAND THE VILLAGE WAS EXPANDED IN 1979 TO 45 UNITS AND TODAY IT COMPRISES A TOTAL OF 68 UNITS. THE LOURDES VILLAGE COMPLEX ALSO INCLUDES A SOCIAL FACILITY, THE JOHN WORNER CENTRE, AND A CHAPEL. LOURDES HOSTEL
LOURDES VILLAGE
A VIEW OF THE VILLAGE FROM THE BORONIA ST ENTRANCE SHOWS THE EXTENT OF THE COMPLEX AND THE ATTRACTIVE BUSHLAND SETTING OF THE UNITS. THE VILLAGE IS A SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY WITH ITS OWN INTERNAL ROADS.

LOURDES HOUSE HOSTEL

LOURDES HOSTEL WAS THE FIRST FORAY INTO AGED CARE MADE BY ST AGNES PARISH. THE DECISION TO DO SO AROSE WHEN THE PARISH PRIEST, FR DONNELLY, BECAME AWARE THAT FEDERAL FUNDING MIGHT BE AVAILABLE FOR A HOSTEL FOR THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY. AFTER MANY MONTHS OF PLANNING TENDERS WERE CALLED FOR A 38 BED HOSTEL WITH THE TENDER BEING WON BY JIM HOWARD. THE NEW HOSTEL WAS BLESSED BY BISHOP SATTERTHWAITE AND OPENED ON JUNE 28 1975. THE HOSTEL IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTED CARE FOR THE AGED AND TODAY THE HOSTEL HAS SINGLE ROOMS WITH ENSUITE FOR 47 PERSONS.

JOHN WORNER CENTRE

JOHN WORNER CENTRE

THE JOHN WORNER CENTRE FORMS THE SOCIAL HEART OF LOURDES VILLAGE. THE CENTRE WAS BUILT IN 2001 AS A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO MEET AND SOCIALISE WITH EACH OTHER.

A SIMPLE SQUARE BUILDING MARKED BY A PLAIN CROSS ON THE WALL, THE CENTRE IS ALSO USED FOR VILLAGE AND PARISH FUNCTIONS. IT ALSO MAKES A CONVENIENT STOPPING POINT FOR THE BUS WHICH RUNS TO THE VILLAGE.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS

LOURDES NURSING HOME

LOURDES NURSING HOME, PORT MACQUARIE

IN 1975 AN APPROACH WAS MADE BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE CLIFTON DRIVE NURSING HOME TO ST AGNES PARISH TO BUY THE 56-BED HOME WHICH WAS IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. AFTER DISCUSSIONS THE PARISH DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE THE FACILITY AND IN MARCH 1975 THE LOVELY HOME WHICH HAD BEEN A MOTEL AND RESTAURANT PRIOR TO ITS CONVERSION TO A NURSING HOME BECAME THE PROPERTY OF THE CHURCH. KNOWN INITIALLY AS CLIFTON NURSING HOME, LATER CHANGED TO LOURDES NURSING HOME, IT WAS EXPANDED IN 1981 AND TODAY ACCOMODATES 65 RESIDENTS REQUIRING A HIGH LEVEL OF ASSISTED CARE. THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS WERE NOT FORGOTTEN WITH THE CONVERSION OF A HOSPITAL ROOM INTO THE LITTLE CHAPEL OF ST THOMAS A'BECKETT.

CHAPEL OF ST THOMAS A'BECKETT

CHAPEL OF ST THOMAS A'BECKETT

THE LOVELY LITTLE CHAPEL OF ST THOMAS A'BECKETT WAS MADE FROM A CONVERTED HOSPITAL ROOM AS EVIDENCED BY THE DOOR. NEXT

	(LEFT)THE QUIET SPACE AT THE REAR OF THE CHAPEL. (BELOW) AT THE FRONT IS THE GLORY OF THE CHAPEL, THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW OF ST THOMAS A'BECKETT. NEXT

IN KEEPING WITH THE CHAPEL AS A WHOLE THE SANCTUARY (BELOW) IS VERY SIMPLY FURNISHED WITH A PLAIN TABLE ALTAR AND AMBO. AN ATTRACTIVE WOODEN CRUCIFIX (BELOW LEFT) AND AN PLAIN STEEL TABERNACLE COMPLETE THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPACE. ON THE SIDE-WALL TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY IS AN UNUSUAL CRUCIFIX GIVEN AS A MEMORIAL GIFT TO THE CHAPEL (BELOW RIGHT).

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST AGNES VILLAGE

ST AGNES VILLAGE, PORT MACQUARIE

BY THE LATE 1980's THE DEMAND FOR AGED ACCOMODATION WAS SO GREAT THAT DESPITE EXTENSIONS TO THE LOURDES VILLAGE FACILITY IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT FURTHER ACCOMODATION WOULD BE REQUIRED. LAND WAS OBTAINED IN LIVINGSTONE RD AND IN 1987 THE ST AGNES HOSTEL WAS OPENED. THE OBTAINING OF FURTHER LAND ENABLED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MAGNIFICENT NEW VILLAGE, ST AGNES VILLAGE, WHICH INCORPORATED A NUMBER OF FACILITIES IN ADDITION TO THE HOSTEL. THESE INCLUDE ST AGNES LODGE, MARYKNOLL HOSTEL, MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE, THE TENISON WOODS CENTRE AND ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPEL. IN RECENT YEARS THE VILLAGE HAS BEEN EXTENDED ACROSS THE ROAD WHERE THE OFFICE OF CATHOLIC AGED CARE PACKAGES, SWEENEY HOUSE IS LOCATED. ST AGNES VILLAGE

ST AGNES VILLAGE

ST AGNES VILLAGE COMPRISES 134 TWO AND THREE BEDROOM INDEPENDANT LIVING UNITS IN A SELF-CONTAINED VILLAGE SETTING. IT HAS ITS OWN INTERNAL ROADS PROVIDING AN ATTRACTIVE AND SAFE AREA FOR AGED RESIDENTS TO LIVE IN. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED FROM THE LATE 80's ONWARDS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE ST AGNES HOSTEL. IT HAS SEVERAL AGED CARE FACILITIES AND A CHAPEL. ST AGNES HOSTEL

ST AGNES HOSTEL

ST AGNES HOSTEL WAS THE ORIGINAL FACILITY ON THE SITE HAVING BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN 1987 AND BLESSED BY BISHOP SATTERTHWAITE IN NOVEMBER THAT YEAR. IT HAS 60 BEDS CATERING FOR THE FRAIL AGED, DEMENTIA RESIDENTS AND COUPLES. THE HOSTEL HAS A WELL DESERVED REPUTATION FOR A HIGH LEVEL OF CARE FOR ITS RESIDENTS AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES. ST AGNES LODGE

ST AGNES LODGE

ST AGNES LODGE WAS BUILT IN 1991 TO CARE SPECIFICALLY FOR PATIENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT MEMORY LOSS (DEMENTIA) WHO DO NOT REQUIRE A HIGH CARE FACILITY BUT WOULD GENERALLY NOT FIND ACCOMODATION IN MOST LOW CARE FACILITIES. IT THUS SERVES A SPECIALISED NEED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE FACILITIES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A PLEASANT AND SAFE AREA FOR ITS RESIDENTS. MARYKNOLL HOSTEL

MARYKNOLL HOSTEL

MARYKNOLL HOSTEL WAS OPENED IN MARCH 1993 AND CATERS FOR 38 PERMANENT LOW CARE RESIDENTS AND 2 RESPITE RESIDENTS. THE HOSTEL SITS ON TOP OF A HILL AND HAS A SCENIC VIEW OVER THE TOWN OF PORT MACQUARIE. MARYKNOLL HAS 4 WINGS EACH HOUSING 10 RESIDENTS WITH EACH WING HAVING A SEPARATE DINING ROOM ALLOWING FOR A MORE INDIVIDUALISED AND “HOME LIKE” SITUATION. MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE

MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE

MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE WAS OPENED IN FEBRUARY 1995 AS A SPECIALISED FACILITY TO OFFER RESIDENTIAL CARE TO FRAIL ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE TO CONTINUE LIVING A LIFESTYLE AS NEAR TO THAT WHICH THEY ENJOYED IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY. TENISON WODS CENTRE

TENISON WOODS CENTRE

THE TENISON WOODS CENTRE WAS BUILT IN 1995 TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO GATHER TOGETHER. IT FORMS THE SOCIAL HEART OF THE VILLAGE AS WELL AS A PLACE FOR VILLAGE AND PARISH FUNCTIONS. NAMED FOR THE FOUNDER OF THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH, IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE DOMESTIC-STYLE OBLONG BUILDING CLEARLY MARKED WITH CROSSES AS A WORK OF THE CHURCH. SWEENEY HOUSE

SWEENEY HOUSE

SWEENEY HOUSE IS LOCATED ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF OCEAN RD OPPOSITE ST AGNES HOSTEL AND THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO ST AGNES VILLAGE.

AN ORDINARY DOMESTIC-STYLE BUILDING IT IS THE OFFICE OF CATHOLIC AGED CAR PACKAGES, A PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LOW-LEVEL CARE FOR THE AGED IN THEIR OWN HOMES. AN AGED CARE ASSESSMENT TEAM LOCATED AT SWEENEY HOUSE ASSESSES EACH APPLICATION FOR THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PACKAGES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS

EMMAUS

EMMAUS NURSING HOME, PORT MACQUARIE

BY THE NEW CENTURY THE FACILITIES OF THE LOURDES NURSING HOME WERE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT AND IT WAS DECIDED TO BUILD A NEW NURSING HOME CLOSE TO THE ST AGNES VILLAGE COMPLEX. THE NEW HOME, EMMAUS, IS A STATE OF THE ART NURSING FACILITY DESIGNED IN A MODERN ARCHITECTURAL STYLE INTENDED TO AVOID THE HOSPITAL LOOK OF OLDER INSTITUTIONS. SET A LITTLE DISTANCE FROM ST AGNES IT ALSO HAS A BEAUTIFUL CHAPEL OF ITS OWN DEDICATED TO BLESSED MOTHER THERESE OF CALCUTTA. NEXT

THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE NURSING HOME (ABOVE LEFT) AND ONE OF THE ATTRACTIVE INNER COURTYARDS (ABOVE RIGHT). NEXT

BEHIND THE MAIN ENTRANCE THE DESIGN CALLS FOR TWO MAIN WINGS OF WHICH ONE (ABOVE) HAS BEEN COMPLETED. CHAPEL OF BLESSED MOTHER THERESE

CHAPEL OF BLESSED MOTHER THERESE

AS PART OF THE DESIGN OF THE NURSING HOME, THERE IS A CHAPEL BUILT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE USE OF THE RESIDENTS, MOST OF WHOM REQUIRE INTENSIVE CARE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND MASS AT THE REGULAR CENTRES.

THE CHAPEL MARKS A FIRST IN AUSTRALIA, BEING THE FIRST TO BE DEDICATED TO MOTHER THERESE OF CALCUTTA IN THIS COUNTRY AND A FRAMED SIGNED LETTER FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY IS ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE CHAPEL.

THE SPARE BARN-LIKE STYLE OF THE BUILDING IS IN KEEPING WITH THE REST OF THE FACILITY YET STANDS OUT QUITE PROMINENTLY MAKING IDENTIFICATION EASY.

NEXT

THE CHAPEL INTERIOR IS SPARESLY YET ELEGANTLY FURNISHED AND IS KEEPING WITH THE OVERALL STYLE OF THE BUILDING.ALL THE FURNISHINGS, DECORATIONS, VESSELS AND VESTMENTS HAVE BEEN DONATED AND ARE RECORDED IN A BOOK AT THE CHAPEL ENTRANCE. NEXT


ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RESTRAINED SANCTUARY ARE WINDOWS IN HONOUR OF MOTHER THERESE AND HER WORK.		NEXT


	SEEN HERE ARE SOME OF THE LOVELY DECORATIONS OF THE CHAPEL, THE TABERNACLE AND CRUCIFIX (LEFT), ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS (ABOVE) AND THE LETTER FROM THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY (RIGHT).
THE CHAPEL OF MOTHER THERESE IS TRULY AN OASIS OF GOD'S DIVINE LOVE. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARISH DIRECTORY

RELIGIOUS ORDERS

SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH
LOCHINVAR CONGREGATION

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL PORT MACQUARIE	ST AGNES' SCHOOL PORT MACQUARIE

PARISH DIRECTORY
PARISH CHURCH HAY ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 23 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 1024 FAX: (02) 6559 6457 EMAIL: cathpres@optusnet.com.au WEBSITE: www.stagnesparish.org.au	PARISH SERVICES ST AGNES PRESBYTERY FOR DETAILS SEE UNDER PARISH CHURCH CONTACT FOR ALL PARISH PASTORAL SERVICES PARISH ADMINISTRATION 110 WILLIAM ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 1736 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6588 7444 FX: (02) 6588 7442 EMAIL: pac@midcoast.com.au ST AGNES MAINTENANCE 25 ACACIA AVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 415 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6581 1351 FAX: (02) 6581 0351 PASTORAL ASSISTANT REAR OF MARIAN CENTRE OCEAN DVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: 02 6584 6486 EMAIL: passtassist@midcoast.com.au
STATION CHURCHES ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA LAKE CATHIE OCEAN DRIVE LAKE CATHIE ST AGNES LORD HOWE ISLAND LORD HOWE ISLAND CHRIST THE KING PORT MACQUARIE BORONIA ST PORT MACQUARIE ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI PORT MACQUARIE LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE ST BERNARD TELEGRAPH POINT ROLLANDS PLAINS RD TELEGRAPH POINT
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PRIMARY SCHOOLS ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL WARLTERS ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 54 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 3848 FAX: (02) 6583 6976 WEB SITE: www.pmacj.lism.catholic.edu.au/ ST AGNES PRIMARY SCHOOL BORONIA ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 611 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 7433 FAX: (02) 6583 5884 WEBSITE: www.pmaca.lism.catholic.edu.au/index.htm ST PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL OCEAN DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 930 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 1962 FAX: (02) 6584 5562 EMAIL: sppport@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: www.pmacp.lism.catholic.edu.au/ SECONDARY SCHOOLS ST JOSEPH'S HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE: St Joseph's High School REGIONAL CAMPUS WARLTERS ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 231 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 5499 FAX: (02) 6583 8214 EMAIL: sjrhport@lism.catholic.edu.au WEB SITE: www.pmacr.lism.catholic.edu.au/ ST PAUL'S CAMPUS OCEAN DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 2376 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 2632 FAX: (02) 6584 3371 EMAIL: sphport@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: www.pmacstp.lism.catholic.edu.au ST JOSEPH'S VOCATIONAL CAMPUS HAY ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 442 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 5400 FAX: (02) 6583 4396 EMAIL: sjvcport@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: www.pmvoc.lism.catholic.edu.au/ McKILLOP SENIOR CAMPUS LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 1201 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 4611 FAX: (02) 6584 1425 EMAIL: mkscport@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: www.pmasc.lism.catholic.edu.au/ OTHER EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES VOCOL SKILLS CENTRE 25 ACACIA AVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6581 0867 FAX: (02) 6581 0351 MARIAN HOSPITALITY AND TRAINING CENTRE OCEAN DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 1736 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 6996 FAX: (02) 6583 3163	WELFARE SERVICES CENTACARE SUITE 7B LEVEL 1 BOURNE HOUSE 10-12 SHORT ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 104 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 0704 FAX: (02) 6584 0724 EMAIL: centacare@priority1.com.au WEB SITE: Centacare ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY 116 GORDON STREET PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 1168 (RETAIL CENTRE) PHONE: (02) 6583 1319 (BUDGET COUNSELLING) McCOSKER HOUSE 20 TABLE ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 2630 AGED CARE SERVICES WEBSITE: Catholic Care of the Aged LOURDES NURSING HOME 38 CLIFTON DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 POST: PO BOX 507 PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 1744 FAX: (02) 6583 3716 EMMAUS LOT 1A COLONEL BARNEY DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6589 9800 FAX: (02) 6583 5919 LOURDES VILLAGE MORTON & HEATHER STS PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 5400 FAX: (02) 6584 3515 JOHN WORNER CENTRE DAVOREN DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 3515 FAX: (02) 6584 3871 LOURDES HOUSE HOSTEL MORTON ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 4273 FAX: (02) 6583 5045 WEBSITE: http://www.stagnesparish.org.au/lourdes_house.htm ST AGNES' VILLAGE LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 3515 TENISON WOODS CENTRE LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 3515 FAX: (02) 6584 3871 ST AGNES HOSTEL LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 3811 FAX: (02) 6583 3864 WEBSITE: St Agnes Hostel MARYKNOLL HOSTEL LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 1996 FAX: (02) 6583 4496 WEBSITE: www.stagnesparish.org.au/mary_knoll_hostel.htm ST AGNES LODGE LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 6200 FAX: (02) 6583 2118 WEBSITE: www.stagnesparish.org.au/st_agnes_lodge.htm MOUNT CARMEL HOUSE LOCHINVAR PLACE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 6200 FAX: (02) 6583 2118 WEBSITE: www.stagnesparish.org.au/mt_carmel_house.htm COMMUNITY CARE AGED PACKAGES SWEENEY HOUSE LOT 79A OCEAN DRIVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 7987 FAX: (02) 6584 7985
FAMILY SERVICES ST JOSEPH'S CENTRE FOR FAMILY SERVICES ST JOSEPH'S PRE SCHOOL WARLTERS ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 3843 FAX: (02) 6584 1861 OTHER SERVICES LOCATED AT ST JOSEPH'S FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE PHONE: (02) 6583 7159 HASTINGS HOME START PHONE: (02) 6583 4242 HASTINGS FAMILY FIRST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PHONE: (02) 6583 4242 MID-NORTH COAST RESOURCE & TRAINING PROGRAM PHONE: (02) 6584 3865 JOEY'S HOUSE OCCASIONAL CARE 121 BRIDGE ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 5242 ST AGNES PRE SCHOOL & LONG DAY CARE CENTRE BURGESS CLOSE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 4491 FAX: (02) 6583 9921 HASTINGS FAMILY DAY CARE PHONE: (02) 6583 7922	OTHER SERVICES DIOCESAN INVESTMENT FUND PORT MACQUARIE OFFICE 110 WILLIAMS ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 7439 ST AGNES' MAINTENANCE 25 ACACIA AVE PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6581 1351 FAX: (02) 6581 0351 JOPRIM UNIFORM SHOP SHOP 4 THE HORTON CENTRE 124 HORTON STREET PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 1076 McKILLOP FAMILY BOOKSHOP SHOP 3 THE HORTON CENTRE 124 HORTON ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6584 9779 FAX: (02) 6584 3499 EMAIL: emmaus@priority1.com.au WEBSITE: www.stagnesparish.org.au/bookshop.htm EMMAUS PUBLICATIONS EMAIL: emmaus@priority1.com.au CATHOLIC MEN'S CLUB REAR OF HORTON CENTRE 124 HORTON ST PORT MACQUARIE 2444 PHONE: (02) 6583 3587

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MUCH OF THE INFORMATION AND SOME PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE WERE OBTAINED FROM THE BOOKLET CENTENERY OF A PARISH PRODUCED BY ST AGNES PARISH IN 1988. IT IS HERE ACKNOWLEDGED WITH GRATITUDE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF OF ST AGNES AND SR JILL TOBLER OSU OF CATHOLIC CARE OF THE AGED FOR THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT.

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