Celebration of the 90^th Anniversary of foundation of St Therese’s Parish and school 

And a pictorial record.  With thanks to Krish Mathavan MSC, PP.

There was great anticipation and excitement in the air as the day (Sunday 24^th October) dawned for our parish community to come together as one to celebrate our 90^th year of foundation. There was only one Mass that weekend and a good crowd (English and Polish speaking parishioners) gathered at the start to wish each other a happy 90^th anniversary! There were the regulars, but also in attendance were those who had a connection with the parish from yester-years, those who grew up here and came back specially.

Covid restrictions on entry to Tasmania meant we could not have a lot more of the previous MSC priests and Polish chaplains with us. Retired Frs Graeme Howard and Denis Allen from the diocese as well as a few Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart based in Tasmania Colleen Power, Jill Dance and Helen Hickey joined Fr Jozef Migacz SChr and myself to celebrate this wonderful moment in the history of the community.

There were readings and songs in both Polish and English (two were a blast from the past, sung 90 years ago at the laying of the foundation stone: Nearer my God to Thee and Hail Holy Queen!), but what made the celebration most memorable was a special edited video of an interview with a few ‘seasoned’ parishioners (Betty Wilson, Barbara MacArthur and John Adamus) and recent MSCs (Stephen Hackett and Mark Hanns) reflecting on their time in and experience of the parish.

(Polish choir at the back of church)

(English choir at the front)

After Mass, we gathered at the undercover area in the school for an old-fashioned Aussie BBQ.

Many also checked out the history display in the school hall that were put up by both parish and school for this occasion. Our own historian Colin Dennison compiled and wrote up a booklet ‘90 years young’ that is worth reading to know the ups and downs in the last 90 years. All in all, it has been a pretty special celebration and I am thankful for all going as well as it can, especially as this happened the weekend after we came out of a snap lockdown!

Some of you might recognize the art work (above) by Patrick O’Carrigan msc during his time in the parish! We have not displayed many of them in the church because of their size! There were photos, mementos and ornaments in the display that sent many down memory lane. An Irish lady and her husband helped to landscape this’90’ for us on the side lawn. We owe much to the volunteers in the parish and we celebrate them specially on this day.