After being closed for seismic strengthening work since 2013, St Mary of the Angels church in central Wellingon was officially re-opened and blessed on April 12.
Cardinal John Dew presided over the re-opening and blessing at the ceremony which was attended by more than 200 people.
Writing in the St Mary of the Angels parish bulletin on Palm Sunday, parish priest Fr Barry Scannell, SM, said that representatives from many organisations who supported the work at the church would be present at the ceremony.
“We acknowledge the many consultants and sub-contractors who have worked on our church,” Fr Scannell wrote. “You may be interested to know that over the duration of the project over 500 tradesmen have worked on site.”
Fr Scannell looked forward to the church being in use again at Easter this year. “. . . [W]e will be able to enjoy our beautiful strengthened church over Easter, beginning on Holy Thursday,” he noted.
Cardinal Dew was scheduled to be the celebrant for Holy Thursday Mass.
Fr Scannell also wrote that four people would be welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter vigil Mass at St Mary of the Angels.
“On Easter Sunday, we will celebrate our four Easter Sunday Masses back in our church for the first time since July, 2013,” he noted.
Fr Scannell thanked everyone who contributed to the $9.5 million strengthening fund. Further funding is reportedly needed for ancillary works, including restoring the garden, reinstating the crypt and choir room and replacing carpets.
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