Sacred Heart Church reopens

By Wendy Shaw

Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Newstead has reopened following repairs and renovations.

The 55-year-old octagon-shaped church on the corner of Abbott and Campbell Sts, next to St Thomas More’s Catholic School, was closed from the end of January to mid-May.

Launceston Parish Priest Fr Shammi Perera said parishioners were pleased to return to Masses at the church.

“Some had come to the Church of the Apostles [in the interim] and some to Kings Meadows Parish,” he said.

“Now they are happy to be back at their spiritual home.

“The church is open for business.”

Work is continuing to fix the sound and heating systems.

Repairs undertaken included replacing parts of the floor damaged from moisture buildup, installing new ventilation and mould remediation. New vinyl was laid in the area where the floor was replaced and the vinyl under the pews was cleaned. Work was also carried out on some windows.

Masses resumed at Sacred Heart Church on 16 May, with the Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 5pm during winter months and a weekday Mass at noon on Tuesdays.