Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Centenary celebration of the laying of the Foundation Stone
Our Lady of Dolours Church, Chatswood – 19 April 2020
By modern Australian standards, 100 years is a relatively long period of time. In the Church, where we measure history by 50 or 100 years, it is quite short. And of course, for our Indigenous brothers and sisters, it is but a moment in time. Nevertheless, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of this Church, we rightly pause to acknowledged those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, we look humbly, yet confidently to the future, and we give thanks to Almighty God for His unfailing love and mercy.
In 1920, 100 years ago, the population of Australia was a little over 5.3 million. As of yesterday, the population was almost five times that number, surpassing 25.4 million inhabitants.
In 1920, Benedict XV was Pope; George V had been on the throne for 10 years; Billy Hughes was Prime Minister; and the Diocese of Broken Bay was 66 years away from being established.
In that same year, Saint Jacinta Marto, one of the children from Fatima, died of the Spanish Flu; the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service – later known as QANTAS, was founded in the Queensland country town of Winton; the Anzac biscuit recipe was first published; and Australia won the Ashes, winning all five Test Matches against England. This was the world into which this parish community began to build this beautiful House of God dedicated to Our Lady of Dolours.
The centenary celebration in a community of Christ’s faithful cannot be reduced merely to the past; it must also direct our gaze to the future. We can walk confidently into the future when we know our past.
The history of the Catholic Church in NSW is the history of the foundation of the Church in Australia. It was here that the first community of lay Catholics settled over two centuries ago. It was here that the first priests exercised their sacred duties, the first community of Religious women was founded, and the first bishop was appointed to care for the flock of Christ. Such a rich patrimony of faith is indeed worthy of remembrance, and so it is fitting that we should mark the celebration of 100 years.
Of course, when your parish priest Fr Jim McKeon and I first spoke about this celebration, we had envisaged the church being full to overflowing. We know that is not possible at the moment. However, I wanted to come and celebrate here today all the same, as a sign of solidarity with you, my dear people, who are the Church.
Through baptism, you have been incorporated into Christ’s Body. The bricks and mortar of this building are mere symbols of you, the living stones of this temple.
Today, we remember the first stone that was laid. It is a symbol of Christ, the cornerstone. Upon him alone are we built as the Church. He is the foundation of our faith; He is the foundation of our lives.
The words from the Scripture that we have heard today are particularly meaningful for us at this time.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we have an understanding of how the early church was alive in the Spirit. The faithful lived in common, sharing what they had – their goods and possessions were held in common for the common good. (Acts 2:42-47) Each household was a locus of praise and worship. The domestic church was a place of hospitality, prayer, and friendship in the Lord.
In the First Letter of Saint Peter, we hear that the community was plagued by trials, and yet they were reassured that their faith in the Risen Jesus would see them safely through their difficulties. (1Peter 1:3-9)
And in our Gospel, the Risen Jesus reveals himself to his disciples, giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit and removing doubt with the assurance of faith. (John 20:19-31)
My sisters and brothers in Christ, it is ironic how today’s readings sound like they were written for us now, in 2020. The circumstance, in which we find ourselves in a COVID-19 environment, may induce fear and doubt. However, it also draws out the very best of the Christian community, seen powerfully in acts of charity and mercy, care and concern, enriched family life, and prayer and worship in our homes.
What holds us steady and strong is our communion with the body of Christ – the community of the Church. That community is the same now as it was in the early Church, as it was 100 years ago when the foundation stone was laid. We are the same, because we are built upon Christ, who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. (cf. Hebrews 13:8)
This is, of course, the story of our salvation. This story includes our conversion, our past, our present and our future. We are called to holiness, because the Spirit of God is given to us and dwells in us. This place of worship is holy, because it houses the Body of Christ – the Church. It is the domus ecclesia – the House of the Church – where we offer praise and thanksgiving to God – who dwells with us. (cf. John 1:14)
My dear people, this marvellous Parish has as its foundation stone, Jesus Christ. It was because of His love that your forbears, priests and people, gathered as a Catholic community at Chatswood, 100 years ago to build this temple of the Lord.
May this centennial commemoration provide for you an opportunity for deep and prayerful reflection upon the past. May it be a blessed time of rejoicing and celebration in the present. And may it be a Spirit-filled time of renewal to animate you to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the future. Amen.