Centenary celebration shares ‘fascinating history’ of parish
By Veronika Cox
St Helen’s Catholic Church marked its 100th anniversary this month, with parishioners old and new joining the festivities.
Archbishop Julian celebrated Mass at the Church on 5 March, noting the centenary celebration was a chance to recall with gratitude those people and priests who had served the life and mission of the Church.
“Today we celebrate one hundred years since the opening of this church. Yet the Catholic story of the region goes back further,” he said.
“Catholics of this northern part of the beautiful East Coast of Tasmania have gathered with their priests, sometimes in the most humble of circumstances, to take part in the celebration of Holy Mass. The Mass is at the heart of the living of our faith.”
Parish organist and Centenary Committee Chairperson Mary-Anne Wadsworth said the history of the church, named for St Helena and St Stanislaus, had made for a fascinating display from the Hobart Catholic Archives.
“Over the 100 years that this church has been here, many changes have occurred,” she explained.
“Firstly, a little wooden church was on this spot. Then came the brick one, and in the 1980’s the present church was extended to what we know it as today.”
Ms Wadsworth said it was incredible to remember the origins of the parish.
“To think that the parish in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s for one priest – whose home parish was Campbell Town – included the parishes of St Helen’s, St Mary’s, Swansea, Fingal, Avoca, Mangana, Ringarooma,” she said.
“The first priest came from there to service these areas over a weekend. What a vocation he must have had!”
Mrs Wadsworth said the centenary celebration was filled with “music and singing, photos galore and lots of talking and reminiscing.”
The Mass included a special centenary hymn, composed by Fr Martin Aye Ngwe with words by St Helen’s parish priest Fr Norberto Ochoa.
After the service, parishioners planted a lemon tree in the grounds and enjoyed a celebratory cake.
“The weekend was a wonderful time for many of the older parishioners to meet and greet, with many new faces attending as well,” Ms Wadsworth said.
“With 100 years behind us, it is time to look forward to another milestone whatever that may be.”