Mass for The Sesquicentenary of Saint Mary Of The Angels’ Church, Geelong

Mass Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Mary Of The Angels’ Church, Geelong,
on Tuesday, 15th June, 2004, At 7.30pm

Introduction

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we gather with my brother bishops, Father Kevin Dillon, Monsignor James Murray (the former pastor), and the priests of the parish and region to thank God for 150 years since the beginning of Saint Mary of the Angels’ Church.

This evening completes the restoration of Saint Mary’s and will bring the consecration of the altar at which Mass is regularly to be offered now. We know that this altar is a place of holiness on which the sacrifice that Christ won on the Cross continues throughout the ages until the Lord comes again. It is a table at which we thank the Lord through the Mass, the most perfect prayer, and receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

Truly it is a day of memory and rejoicing. We thank God for his constant care of our church and our parish as we gather in this holy place.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On this day in 1854 the foundation stone of Saint Mary’s Church was set in place. It happened to be the feast of Corpus Christi. In two-fold thanksgiving for this building, and in the Eucharist, which is the highpoint of all of the Church’s activity, we gather tonight as brothers and sisters to thank God.

Many of you will know the history of the parish and the unique place, which Saint Mary’s has occupied in the story of the thirteen parishes of this region. Indeed, the one parish of Saint Mary’s has now expanded to five in the city of Geelong and has always provided a centre of faith, teaching and care.

The small Catholic community of 1854 worked hard for eighteen years until the nave of the building was opened for worship on 1st February 1872. By its position and design it achieved a prominence which is unparalleled for any church in the Archdiocese outside the Cathedral.

Nearly sixty years later the church was completed and Archbishop Mannix consecrated it on 16th June 1937, with the extended nave, the transept, sanctuary, apsidal, chapels, wide ambulatory, sacristy and sodalities’ room.

Indeed, the naming of this church after the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi, a link established by the first parish priest, Father Patrick Bonaventure Geoghegan, O.F.M., is in itself prominent, because Saint Francis’ call from God was perceived first as a physical rebuilding of the church and then moving into a more profound spiritual renewal.

Since 1996 Monsignor Murray and Father Kevin Dillon and a dedicated band of helpers have proceeded with a great sense of purpose to the renewal and enrichment of the fabric of the church, which will be completed with the return of the large organ to the rear gallery later in the year.

The magnificent work done and paid for is an indication of the esteem of the sacred which exists in Geelong. This is a holy place, set apart for prayer and worship, the highpoint of our encounter with God, which flows into our daily work.

As Archbishop, may I give my sincere thanks to Monsignor Murray and Father Dillon, to the members of the Committee, to the architect, artists, builder and craftsmen who have brought this church to pristine condition as a noble edifice worthy of recognition far beyond the shores of Australia.

Already this evening we have sprinkled the congregation with holy water as a reminder that the Church is a place for God’s holy people. Now, after invoking the prayers of all the saints of heaven, and placing the relics of Saints Pompeia, Maria Goretti, Illara and Peter Julian Eymard in the altar, this altar will be dedicated as truly the altar of the Cross, bringing us the power of Jesus’ sacrifice to support us in our burdens and cares, to unite us in love for each other, to be the centre of our praise and thanksgiving.

After the consecration the altar is anointed with oil, as we were anointed in Confirmation, and is incensed to show that it is to the unseen God that we reach in prayer and the cloths and lights are placed upon the altar to remind us that we are called to give of ourselves in service of others.

So much has been achieved that we might well think that we can afford to rest in the wonder of what has been done so beautifully. Yet, each of us is invited, as our Holy Father has said, to continue our search for Christ and for holiness so that we will be inspired to launch out into the deep of bringing his love and knowledge to our families, to our street and to our suburb.

As I am united with you in thanksgiving I would also encourage you to remember the value of your words and deeds to spread the knowledge and love of God to those whom you meet. May this place of silence and prayer always be a point of return, inspiration and glory of God, who will never desert us no matter what challenges we may face.

Last Saturday morning I received a fax from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It reads as follows.

“At the request of His Excellency, Most Reverend Archbishop Denis James Hart, Archbishop of Melbourne, made by letters of the 5 January 2004, prompted by the prayers and votes of clergy and faithful, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by virtue of special faculties given to it by the Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, gives to the Parish Church of St. Mary, under the title of Queen of the Angels, in the City of Geelong, within the same Archdiocese, the title and dignity of a Minor Basilica. Given also are the rights and liturgical privileges pertaining to this title, in accordance with the requirements of law and following the Decree on the Title of a Minor Basilica, dated the 9 November 1989.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at the Offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments the 9 June 2004.

Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect
Monsignor Marius Marini
Under Secretary.”

Congratulations Geelong. Saint Mary of the Angels, pray for us.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.